Show Low

Show Low lies on the Mogollon Rim in east central Arizona, at an elevation of 6,345 feet (1,934 m). The city was established in 1870 and incorporated in 1953. According to a legend, the city's unusual name resulted from a marathon poker game between Corydon E. Cooley and Marion Clark. The two men were equal partners in a 100,000-acre ranch; however, the partners determined that there was not enough room for both of them in their settlement, and agreed to settle the issue over a game of "Seven Up" (with the winner taking the ranch and the loser leaving). After the game seemed to have no winner in sight, Clark said, "If you can show low, you win." In response, Cooley turned up the deuce of clubs (the lowest possible card) and replied, "Show Low it is." As a tribute to the legend, Show Low's main street is named "Deuce of Clubs" in remembrance. Show Low elevation is approximately 6,345. Winters in Show Low bring highs between 45 °F and 55 °F, with lows usually below freezing between November and March, averaging in the 20s December through February, and in the low 30s for November and March. In the summer, highs in Show Low average approximately 85 °F, with an occasional day above 90 °F not uncommon for the city. As the sun sets in the summertime, temperatures plummet dramatically, sometimes upwards of 30 degrees. This nightly temperature swing results in summertime lows typically ranging between 50 °F and 60 °F . Show Low averages about 18.3 inches of rain per year. Show Low acts as a gateway to the surrounding national forest, camping, fishing, hiking and other exploration.