License Plate Roundup: Arizona

Arizona: History and Interesting Facts

Arizona is a unique state characterized by its old Southwest charm, large native populations, and summer heat. In this section, we'll explore some general Arizona information, including state history, interesting facts, and more. 

When Was Arizona Established as a State? 

While a quick stroll through some of Arizona's oldest establishments would suggest the state is one of the country's earliest, the opposite is true. On February 14, 1912, the Arizona territory became the 48th state in the union—the last contiguous (border-sharing) state. 

Records show the land was inhabited by indigenous peoples as early as 10,000 BCE. In the 1540s, the land was claimed by conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado for Spain, who remained in control of the land until Mexico declared independence in 1822. The United States acquired the land through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 and the Gadsden Purchase of 1954. 

Arizona split into its own territory in 1863, and soon thereafter, rare minerals such as copper and silver were discovered in Tombstone and Bisbee. With an economy primarily dominated by mining, thousands of settlers flocked to the land to capitalize on the bounty. After a series of delays and ratifications of the state's proposed constitution, President Howard Taft granted Arizona its statehood in 1912. 

What Is Arizona Most Known For? 

Arizona is known for countless natural features, including the Sonoran Desert, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon—one of the world's seven natural wonders. 

Apart from its jaw-dropping topography, the state has a rich history of mining, which fueled its economy for decades. Small towns like Bisbee, Superior, and Jerome produced much of the nation's copper and silver during their heyday, and several metallic and non-metallic mines are still in operation today.  

Arizona also has a rich native history, with over 22 federally recognized tribes. Larger metropolitan areas exist, including Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Scottsdale. 

Iconic Route 66, known as The Mother Road, also runs through the state. Road-trippers will appreciate unique sights like the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater, and small towns like Williams, Sedona, and Kingman. 

What is Arizona's Nickname? 

Arizona's residents have given it several nicknames, the two most popular being "The Grand Canyon State" and "The Copper State." Both stem from Arizona's natural features, including its proximity to the Grand Canyon and the massive quantities of copper that once fueled the state's economy. 

Arizona's License Plate Designs

The Copper State has several unique license plates, ranging from standard-issue designs to elaborate special-interest plates. Learn more about Arizona's license plate system and our top ten favorite designs in this section. 

Custom, Special, and Other License Plates

Arizona's license plate system is relatively straightforward, with options for standard-issue, personalized, and special-interest plates. Standard-issue, randomized number plates are issued at no additional cost to drivers, while personalized and special-interest plates require additional fees. 

Personalized plates typically cost an additional 25 dollars at purchase and annually. In comparison, specialty plates cost between eight and 25 dollars at purchase and carry a 25-dollar annual fee. 

RealTruck Favorites

With that covered, let's get into the fun stuff! Check out RealTruck's top ten Arizona license plates—both for their designs and the organizations they benefit. 

Alice Cooper's Solid Rock

While most know Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, for his characteristic appearance, wild stage presence, and energetic rock music, he's also a major advocate for youth. In Phoenix, Coopers' Solid Rock teen center provides vocational education and extracurricular activities for teens (12 to 20). As Cooper puts it, "A teen's worst enemy is too much time on their hands."

The Alice Cooper's Solid Rock license plate, which depicts Cooper before a vibrant red background, directly benefits the teen center. Of the 25-dollar fee, 17 goes directly to the center. 

Arizona Highways Magazine

Since 1925, Arizona Highways magazine has shared travelogues and artistic photography of Arizona's mesmerizing scenery and roadways with the world. The Arizona Department of Transportation carries out the magazine's monthly releases; however, printed media isn't getting any less expensive. 

The purchase of a 25-dollar Arizona Highways magazine license plate, which features a beautiful Arizona sunset behind Saguaro cacti silhouettes, donates 17 dollars directly to the Arizona Highways magazine.  

Arizona Science Center

Fans of the Matrix, binary code, and science can appreciate the Arizona Science Center license plate. This unique plate features a black background with raining green binary code, an image popularized by the science fiction film The Matrix. 

Seventeen of the 25 dollars collected from purchasing this license plate directly benefit the Arizona Science Center—a science museum located in Phoenix. 

Barrett Jackson Auto

As one of the largest automotive auctions in history, the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction is renowned for showcasing and selling several unique and high-value vehicles. Show support for the auction, which is headquartered in Scottsdale, with the Barrett Jackson Auto license plate. This unique plate design features a black background, red stripes along the left side, and "Barrett-Jackson" text along the lower edge. 

Purchasing a 25-dollar Barrett Jackson Auto license plate donates 17 dollars directly to Barrett-Jackson charities, including the American Heart Association.

Empower

This simple plate features a black background with vibrant blue "Arizona" and "Empower" lettering. While the plate's design may be simple, its mission extends beyond the subtle black and blue styling. 

Each purchase of a 25-dollar Empower plate donates 17 dollars to charitable organizations that benefit veterans and military families. 

Luke Air Force Base

Luke Air Force Base resides in Glendale, Arizona, approximately 15 miles West of Phoenix. Luke AFB is home to the 56th Fighter Wing—the largest in the world. Luke is home to the only F-16 training wing and, since its opening in 1941, has graduated over 57,650 pilots. The Luke AFB license plate is among the most exciting of the bunch, featuring an F-35 Striker Jet soaring through the clouds with the message "The Sound of Freedom" below. 

Show support for the United States Air Force by purchasing a Luke Air Force Base license plate. Seventeen of the 25-dollar purchase price goes directly to supporting the men, women, families, and mission of Luke AFB.

Keep Arizona Beautiful

Arizona is undoubtedly one of the US's most breathtaking states, home to natural features like the Grand Canyon, sweeping deserts, sprawling mountains, and Monument Valley. Support the preservation of the natural environment with the Keep Arizona Beautiful license plate, which features an image of a Saguaro cactus against an aqua background. 

Of the 25-dollar fee collected, 17 dollars go directly to Keep Arizona Beautiful litter clean-ups, recycling events, and beautification projects. 

Phoenix Raceway

Racers, start your engines! The Phoenix Raceway license plate is a favorite among motorsports enthusiasts. It features a NASCAR-inspired background with white "NASCAR" text along the lower edge. 

The purchase of a 25-dollar Phoenix Raceway license plate donates 17 dollars directly to the Arizona Accelerator Charities, which supports the local community through charitable investments.

Route 66

Route 66 is one of the nation's most iconic roadways. Often called "The Mother Road," the now-defunct highway system once allowed vehicular travel between California and Chicago. While the highway was officially decommissioned in 1985 as traffic migrated to larger freeways, much of Route 66 (approximately 85 percent) remains drivable. 

Local municipalities and state governments are now responsible for the roadways, often requiring sizable repair budgets. Support the preservation of the iconic roadway with the Route 66 license plate, which features a black and gray design with a Route 66 logo and "Get Your Kicks" text along the lower edge. 

For each 25-dollar purchase, 17 dollars goes to preserving the historical federal highway.

State Forty Eight

This country was founded on the pursuit of individuality and self-sufficiency. The State Forty-Eight license plate assists small business owners still attempting to live out their American dreams. 

The purchase of a 25-dollar State Forty-Eight license plate donates 17 dollars to the State Forty-Eight Foundation, which supports Arizona entrepreneurs through grant funding, education, and free resources.

License Plate Products and Accessories

Every state offers its share of unique license plates, and Arizona is no exception. If you're a proud resident of the Copper State, display your ride's license plate using our selection of frames, holders, brackets, and relocation solutions. 

Stay tuned for our next License Plate Roundup feature next month, where we will tackle another state's top license plate artwork. As always, contact the experts for product inquiries and order assistance.