Best Web Design in Glendale, AZ (2026)

Web Design for Glendale, Arizona

Glendale is a West Valley suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County that began in 1887 as a canal-irrigated farm town and even ran a decade as a dry temperance colony. It is now Arizona's big-league sports and entertainment address, home to State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl), a walkable historic downtown famous for antique shops, and the Westgate district.

AppWT works with Glendale, AZ businesses from Livonia, Michigan, mostly online and travelling as needed.

About Glendale

Also known as. Swift City (temporary, 2023). Antique Capital of Arizona.

History. Founded in 1887 by developer William John Murphy, whose 40-mile Arizona Canal (completed 1885) brought water to the desert land. In 1891 Murphy and Burgess Hadsell recruited Brethren (Dunkard) families to establish Glendale as a temperance colony where alcohol was banned. A Beet Sugar Factory operating from 1906 to 1913 spurred immigration and cotton and dairy farming that carried the economy through World War I. Thunderbird Field opened in 1941 to train civilian pilots, and the Army built Luke Field (now Luke Air Force Base), named for Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Frank Luke Jr. Glendale was selected over Mesa for the Cardinals' new stadium, which broke ground in 2003 and opened August 1, 2006 as University of Phoenix Stadium.

Local economy. Luke Air Force Base is the city's largest employer (around 5,100 personnel) and a major F-35 pilot training base. Other top employers include Banner Health, Arrowhead Towne Center, and Walmart. Sports tourism is a large economic driver via State Farm Stadium, which studies estimate has generated well over $5 billion in economic impact since 2006. Retail is anchored by Arrowhead Towne Center (opened 1993) and the Westgate Entertainment District near the stadium and arena. Camelback Ranch, opened in 2009, is the shared spring-training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

Culture and community. State Farm Stadium hosts the Arizona Cardinals and the annual Fiesta Bowl and has held three Super Bowls (2008, 2015, 2023). Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) hosted the NHL's Arizona Coyotes and now hosts the Arizona Rattlers indoor football team. Glendale Glitters is the city's signature December holiday-lights festival in the historic downtown. Other festivals include a Chocolate Affaire (February), and jazz and folk/heritage events downtown. Cerreta Candy Company, a family chocolate maker, offers popular factory tours. Notable residents connected to the city include country singer Marty Robbins, fun. singer Nate Ruess, and actress Jennie Garth.

What makes Glendale distinct. For two days in March 2023, Glendale officially renamed itself 'Swift City' to mark the launch of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium. Glendale started life as an alcohol-free temperance colony, banning liquor in its early years. Its historic downtown is widely promoted as an antique-shopping destination, an unusual identity for a modern sports-stadium suburb. The stadium's playing field rolls out of the building on a tray so the natural grass can grow in the Arizona sun. Luke Air Force Base is named for Frank Luke Jr., a World War I 'balloon buster' and Medal of Honor recipient.

Glendale Landmarks and Local Life

• State Farm Stadium - the retractable-roof, roll-out-natural-grass home of the Arizona Cardinals
• Westgate Entertainment District - an outdoor dining, shopping and events area beside the stadium and arena
• Historic Downtown Glendale and the Catlin Court district - known for antique shops and boutiques
• Sahuaro Ranch Park - a preserved historic ranch dating to the 1880s
• Cerreta Candy Company factory.
• Camelback Ranch spring-training ballpark.