Surprise City Map Poster

About Surprise

Surprise is also known as "Arizona's Antique Capital" and "The Gateway to the White Mountains."Settlement of what is now Surprise began in 1912, when William Johnston purchased 160 acres (65 ha) for $50. He named his first settlement Surprise due to its location being a surprise to him; he had thought it was too dry for farming. In May 1913, Frank Reid and John McCollum filed their plans for the town site of Surprise on part of section 24, township 10 north range 11 west.[citation needed] The name was derived from the surveyor's expression that there was a big surprise waiting when they reached this particular area.[citation needed]Surprise lies along historic U.S. Route 66 which today follows Interstate 17 at exit 214/214B through downtown before heading south towards Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport where it ends at I-10 near Buckeye Road (exit 210).