Del Webb Sun Cities Museum

06/05/2026

By 1963, the success of Sun City in Arizona led Del Webb to build three additional Sun City communities, one in Florida southeast of Tampa, and two in California (Kern City near Bakersfield and Sun City in Riverside County). While marketing for each was often done independently, this advertisement from the early 1960’s shared the story of all three and the unique heritage they shared with the cotton fields turned into the original Sun City in Arizona. Sun City West would continue the story in the late 1970’s.

To learn how 10,000 acres of cotton became the launch pad for the communities that changed a nation, visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. We are in the first model home for Sun City, 10801 W Oakmont Drive, Sun City, AZ. Summer hours are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday 12-3. Group tours at other times available by request.

Photo credit to the archives of the Sun Cities Area Historical Society and Museum.

06/03/2026

Before there was a museum, the Sun Cities Historical Society’s roots go back to a windowless office at the Plaza Del Sol Medical Offices. It is here that the group began the process of sorting, cataloging, and reviewing the thousands of archive materials donated by the Del Webb Development Company to the fledgling new society. This photo in 1989 from the Sun City Daily News-Sun pictured early volunteers Jeanne Woodford (left), Emil Fischer, and Agnes Fansler sorting through materials. Many of those items are now part of the museum and are part of the extensive archives we house today. From humble beginnings to the 2025 Best of the West Valley Museum of the Year.

Come see the history of the original Sun Cities come alive, visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum at 10801 W Oakmont Dr in Arizona’s Sun City. We are in the first original model home from 1960. Hours are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday 12-3. Private group tours are also available by request.

Photo credit to the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and the April 3, 1989 edition of the Sun City Daily News-Sun newspaper.

06/01/2026

One of the Del Webb Company’s early big “build a city” projects was the construction of San Manuel, Arizona, pictured in its early phases in November, 1953. The Webb Corporation was one of the primary contractors enlisted to build an entire community to support the 40,000 employees of the Magma Copper Mines. Beyond houses, building San Manuel meant also building all the infrastructure to support an entire small city. San Manuel bustled with activity while the mining operation flourished, but has sadly declined in more recent years with the closure of the mines in 1999.

Come visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum to learn more about the history of Del Webb and the original Sun Cities. Located in the first Sun City Model Home at 10801 W Oakmont Dr in Sun City, AZ. Summer hours are Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday 12-3pm. Group tours are also available on request.

Photo credit to the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and The Webb Spinner company newspaper.

05/30/2026

Our museum is grateful for the support of our members, guests, amazing volunteers and our business partnerships. We could not thrive without all of you. We appreciate the friendship and support of The Arizona Questers. If you enjoy exploring history, you might enjoy being part of the Questers. For more information, check out their website and find a local chapter at https://www.azquesters.org . Thank you to the Questers for your continued support of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum.

The Arizona State Questers promotes preservation, restoration, and education projects in Greater Phoenix, Arizona, including Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, and other communities in Arizona.

05/28/2026

A young Bob Barker stands in front of a Sun City, California home, along with a brand new car in January, 1963. Both the house and the car were prizes on nationally broadcast “Truth or Consequences” game show. Sun City, California was launched in 1962 as the third Sun City branded community behind Sun City in Arizona and Sun City in Florida. Today, Sun City, California is part of the city of Menifee.

To learn more about the history of the original Sun Cities, visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, 10801 W Oakmont Dr in Sun City, AZ. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12-3.

Photo credit to the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and the Webb Spinner (company newspaper).

05/23/2026

Who was the person the largest Sun Cities recreation center was named after? Robert H. Johnson (right in the photo with Del Webb) began his career as the sixth employee hired by the then small Del E Webb Construction Company. From his start as an accounting clerk, he would rise to ultimately succeed his boss and mentor, Del Webb, as CEO and Chairman at Webb’s passing in 1974. Johnson retired from the company in 1981 and went on to head the Del Webb Foundation for several years until shortly before his passing in 2009.

To learn more about the history of the original Sun Cities, visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, 10801 W Oakmont Dr in Sun City, AZ. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12-3.

Photo credit to the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and the Webb Spinner (company newspaper).

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

Looking for something to do this summer? Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine has just released a special Phoenix Summer Road Trips magazine that provides dozens of great places to experience this summer -- here in the Valley and throughout the Southwest. And no surprise -- the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum is one of those "must-see" places!

05/21/2026

In Spring, 1979 construction was moving rapidly forward on the Sundome in Sun City West. Pictured is the placing of the beams that would hold the roof on the building without need for any interior supports, giving the 7,000 seated guests a clear view of the stage. The Sundome opened to a sold out Lawrence Welk concert in 1980.

To learn more about the history of the original Sun Cities and about the history of the Sundome, visit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, 10801 W Oakmont Dr in Sun City, AZ. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12-3.

Photo credit to the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and the Webb Spinner (company newspaper).

05/20/2026

The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum's hours for summer: noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to visit us at www.delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org to keep up to date on all the great activities happening at the museum over the summer. Visit our website to arrange for a historical talk by one of our volunteer speakers or to arrange a group tour of the museum.