Every month or two my company send out a mailer to the Arizona Sun Cities called the Ken Meade Report. This month our president, Steve Meade did an article about the founder of the Sun Cities, Del Webb.
Del Webb Corp. officials acknowledge they weren't the first to think of a retirement community, but Del E. Webb IS the man that created the concept of the active retirement communities as we know them today. Nobody else had done them on the scale he did when he came up with the concept of the original Sun City.
In the Ken Meade Report, Steve had multiple choice questions to see how much you might know about Del Webb. From this article I learned that he had been a co-owner of the New York Yankees, that he was 6'4" tall, and that he was 75 years old when he died on the 4th of July, 1974.
After reading Steve's article, I realized I had never really looked into the history of the man that created the concept of the communities I sell real estate in. So... I Googled him.
What an interesting life this man must have led. His dream was to have been a professional ball player but typhoid fever sidelined those aspirations. I also learned that World War II made him a rich man with defense contracts.
He became good friends with Howard Hughes and rubbed elbows with "Bugsy" Siegel in Nevada when he helped build him a casino. Del Webb Corp. had gone public in 1960, and the purchase marked the first entry of a respected public stock corporation into Las Vegas gaming. By 1978 the company was the largest gaming employer in Nevada, with some 7,000 workers.
I could go on and on but others before me, have done a much better job of it. To read more about this interesting man, click on either of the above links. I'm glad I did.
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If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com. Here you will find information on homes for sale in Sun City Grand Surprise Arizona, resales in Corte Bella, Sun City Festival real estate, Arizona Traditions MLS listings, Trilogy at Vistancia and Sun City West, PLUS see a map of the Surprise AZ area retirement communities. Don't hesitate to call or email if you have questions.
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Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office
(602) 703-8930
Hi Kathy - it is fun to learn something new about things we take for granted. I lived for many years in the St Pete area where there's a Sun City nearby (I'm sure you know this already). Have you met Bob Cumiskey here on A|R? He's your counterpart in Hillsborough County FL. Maybe you two could start a nice referral thing going. All the best.
Gail - Thank you. No I haven't met Bob here yet. I'll look him up. Thanks for the tip! My brother lives in Pinellas Park.
Kathy, I worked for the attorney who drew up lots of the legal docs for the Sun City retirement community. Now, let's see......was that in the 60's? ;-)
Teri - You must have been a baby! :)
Kathy, very good. I was a mere child as a matter of fact. ;-)
Ever notice how the phrase "sun city" is so close to "sin city?" LOL. Actually, the Del Webb Corp. has gone a step further in changing the concept of adult retirement communities by forming the active adult communities. Probably because it's not cool to sit around in the shade and sip lemonade anymore. You've got to be out there jogging, hitting tennis balls or swimming. :)
Elizabeth - Very true. Most of my recent clients have been younger and want to be close to the rec centers so they can work out every day.
Kathy, nice ThemThem to Del, he had quite a back ground of friends and influence, plus great vision.
Duane - Yes, a VERY interesting man.
Vegas was and interesting place in those days. Thank god for air conditioning.
Larry - Yes. The old sin city. I think I would have thought twice about working for Bugsy
Growing up in Scottsdale I remember hearing about him and watching his communities being built, he was well ahead of his time.
Have A Great Day
Doris - He certainly was. You have a great day too!
Kathy,
This is fabulous information! Very creative. I think I'll link your post to some of my SRES posts! I hope it helps. Our Cary, NC Del Webb community has sold over 600 homes in just 2 years!
Tracy - Thank you! I know NC is a hot place for retirees right now. I was hearing about it being a great place to check out a few years back. Hopefully someday I'll get out that way.