Dateland

Dateland, Arizona, is a small, unincorporated community of 853 residents. The town lies just north of the Mexico border between Yuma, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ. Dateland was originally established in the 1920s as a water stop for the railroads. In the 1940s, Gen. Patton established Camp Horn and Camp Hyder as military training sites. Winter temperatures average 80 degrees in Dateland, with summer heat reaching 120 degrees. Because the high temperatures resemble the climate of the Middle East, areas in Dateland are once again being used for military training. Many of Dateland's residents work in the farming industry. Citrus fruits, cotton, alfalfa, dairy, shrimp, and date farms are dotted across the landscape.