Why Arizona Has a Town Named After a Poker Hand (It’s Surprisingly High Stakes)

Welcome to Show Low, Arizona

Show Low is a small town in Navajo County, northeastern Arizona. And yes, it’s literally named after a card game. Here are some interesting facts about this quirky town.

A Town Born From a Card Game

In 1876, ranchers Corydon Cooley and Marion Clark settled a land dispute with a “Seven Up” poker match.

Cooley drew the deuce of clubs, the lowest card, and claimed their 100,000-acre ranch. Show Low’s city seal features two playing cards: the deuce of clubs and the seven of hearts.

You can also walk along the town’s “Deuce of Clubs” street which is lined with murals, boutiques, and an annual festival reenacting the showdown.

The Winner Was also an Interpreter During the Apache Wars

Cooley wasn’t just a gambler. He was also a Union Army scout who had a deep connection with the Apaches.

After serving as General George Crook’s Apache Wars interpreter, he married two daughters of White Mountain Apache Chief Pedro.

His ranch supplied Fort Apache with beef and grain, and he later mediated disputes as the town’s first postmaster.

Spectacular High-Elevation Views

At 6,345 feet, Show Low towers over Phoenix (5,400 ft lower). Locals here enjoy crisp mountain air along with their amazing desert panoramas.

The Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile limestone escarpment, frames the horizon, while nearby Fool Hollow Lake offers kayaking amid ponderosa pines.

A Wildfire Almost Burned it Down

In 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire (Arizona’s largest wildfire at the time) burned 468,638 acres and halted just half a mile from town.

The fire began as two separate blazes, one arson, one accidental, before merging. Today, controlled burns protect Show Low’s 680 miles of trails.

Settled by Mormon Pioneers

Early 1900s settlers like William Flake and other Mormon families bought land in 1903 and developed water management systems, some of which are still used today.

You can spot their legacy in some of Show Low’s place names (Ellsworth, Flake) and artifacts at the Show Low Historical Society Museum.

2.6 Million Acres of Adventure

Show Low is surrounded by the 2.63M-acre forest Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It’s a great place to fish trout-stocked lakes like Woodland and Fool Hollow.

You can also go cross-country skiing at Buffalo Park.

Another popular activity is going on ATV rides to explore the Coconino Rim route.

Boasts Four Season Climate

Unlike most of Arizona, Show Low has four seasons shaped by its 6,345-foot elevation and Mediterranean climate: a rarity in Arizona due to its summer monsoon rains.

There’s a Museum With a Poker Table

The Show Low Historical Society Museum displays Cooley’s branding irons, Apache oral histories, and a replica of the fateful 1876 card game.

Don’t miss the diorama of his original ranch, now the White House Ranch archaeological site.

Deuce of Clubs Activities, Festivals and More

This main drag hosts summer’s Deuce of Clubs Days (live music, artisan markets) and year-round quirks like the Deuce of Clubs Brewery. The Deuce of Clubs Brewery leans into local lore with poker-themed brews.

Try the Seven Up Stout (a nod to the original card game) or the citrusy Show Low IPA. Pair them with Navajo tacos during live bluegrass nights. Each June, Show Low Days transforms the street into a DIY speedway.

Teams craft gravity-powered cars for the Derby Down the Deuce race, hurtling down the 1.5-mile stretch.

From Outpost to Boomtown

Incorporated in 1953 with 1,000 residents, Show Low now thrives on retirees and remote workers. Seasonal tourists triple the population, supporting 400+ businesses from family-owned trading posts to ski rentals.

Gateway to the Mogollon Rim

Show Low lies directly on the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile-long stretch across northern Arizona. Fool Hollow Lake, a popular Rim attraction for stargazing and fishing, is right inside Show Low. You can also camp, go stargazing, hike, and other outdoor activities during your visit.