City history
Explore the history of Gilbert, a city defined by its agricultural roots and its steadfast adherence to Mountain Standard Time.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after Jacob Gilbert"
The city was formally named after Jacob Gilbert, a prominent early settler and postmaster. No specific indigenous name for this exact site is reliably documented in standard historical records.
Jacob Gilbert
The community adopted this name upon the establishment of the local post office.
Chapter two
Following state-level decisions, Arizona ceased the observance of daylight saving time, a policy that Gilbert continues to follow today.
Chapter three
The establishment of the Gilbert post office provided the first formal identity for the settlement, officially using the name of the local postmaster.
Gilbert was officially incorporated as a town, allowing for organized local governance and the development of structured community services.
The area began a significant transition from a primarily agricultural economy toward a modern, diversified suburban commercial hub.