08/16/2026
Something about Chandler - DID YOU KNOW?!?
Ostriches and the city of Chandler, Arizona, are deeply linked through a booming early 20th-century agricultural movement started by the city's founder, Dr. Alexander J. Chandler.
Today, this historical connection is widely celebrated through public art and a massive annual community festival.The connection boils down to four main points:
1. The Ostrich Ranching PioneerIn the late 1890s and early 1900s, womenโs high-fashion hats required a steady supply of luxurious plumes. Recognizing that the hot, dry climate of the Salt River Valley perfectly mirrored the ostrich's native African habitat, Dr. A.J. Chandler became one of the first entrepreneurs to bring ostriches to Arizona. He established a massive ostrich farm on his land, creating one of the largest herds in the region.
2. The 1914 Ostrich BoomBy 1914โjust two years after the city was foundedโthe industry had completely taken off. A famous front-page headline in the local newspaper, the Chandler Arizonan, proclaimed, "Ostriches are all the rage in Chandler, and dot the landscape by the hundreds". Local residents and tourists frequently gathered along Dr. Chandler's property fences to watch the exotic birds.
3. The Annual Ostrich FestivalThough World War I and changing fashion trends eventually crushed the feather market, Chandler never forgot its quirky heritage. In 1989, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce launched the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival to honor Dr. Chandler and the city's unique history. It has since grown into a massive Southwest tradition attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors for concerts, carnival rides, and ostrich-themed attractions.
4. Modern City Identity. The ostrich remains an official symbol of the community. If you walk through Downtown Chandler, you will spot decorative ostrich statues and themed public art installations honoring the birds. There is even a popular historic underground speakeasy located right beneath the San Marcos Hotel (built by Dr. Chandler) aptly named The Ostrich. Its a fun place to enjoy with friends!