One of first farms in Maricopa still worked by Pratt family

In the early 1900s the Scott Farm was one of the first farms in Maricopa. The farm belonged to Samuel G. Scott and was located about five miles south of Maricopa at the corner of Papago and Maricopa Roads. Today, the Eddie Pratt Farm stands in the same place and continues the farming tradition initiated by the Scott family at daybreak of the 1900s.  

Samuel G. Scott bought the land for $80 from Chas E. Arnold on Dec. 12, 1912, and moved his family to the area in 1913. A well was hand dug and shoveled to a depth of 55 feet. A gas engine and belt-driven Jack Pump was installed and delivered 4 inches of water.  

Scott and his two sons, William Gilbert and Harold Martin, cultivated the land with a team of mules and a disc harrow. A variety of crops were grown with success during this period of time, including sugar beets, onions, corn, watermelons, cantaloupes, casaba, honeydews and alfalfa Yellow-globed onions were also very productive.  

William G. Scott handed the deed with all the paperwork and farming history to Eddie and Janet Pratt in 1972. This included a letter with these written words praising Eddie and Janet Pratt for all they had achieved with their little1912 desert farm:

After 60 years in the Scott family with faith in the land a dream has come true…not as originally conceived to be certain. Nevertheless, the E ½ section 21 is today a beautiful sight to behold!  On March 30, 1972 title to the E ½ Sec 21 passed into the capable hands of Edward and Janet Pratt. More dedicated farmers with a love of the land are not to be found in the whole of the Casa Grande Valley. God bless you and our sincere best wishes for continued happiness and success. 

Photo courtesy of the Maricopa Historical Society

Editor’s note:  Maricopa factoids are a regular feature on InMaricopa.com. They are provided by the Maricopa Historical Society, a branch of the Friends of the Maricopa Public Library. Most of the photos and information come from “Reflections of a Desert Town” by author and historical society chairperson Patricia Brock.