Lithuanians started to come to Arizona before World War I. Then, as now, it was the warm and dry climate of Phoenix and Tucson, located in the desert regions of southern Arizona, that attracted them. The first Lithuanians came to Arizona to recover from lung illnesses, rheumatism or arthritis. Being ill and few in number, they did not leave a major cultural legacy.
The number of Lithuanians in Arizona started to increase only after 1935. Younger ones took up farming, the trades, businesses and worked in the industry, but most of them came to retire.
During World War II a number of military training bases were located in the Arizona desert and many young men became acquainted with Arizona's wonderful climate while in military service. Many of them returned to Arizona after the war, starting the fast growth of Arizona cities. Among the returning veterans were a number of Lithuanian-Americans as well.
A pleasant climate, beautiful desert, and urban growth also attracted high-tech industries, scientists, engineers and technicians.
The 2000 US census showed about 10,000 Arizonans acknowledging their Lithuanian roots. Majority of them were second, third and later generation Americans and children of mixed ethnic marriages. Although acknowledging their Lithuanian roots, only 200 or so actively participated in Lithuanian events and activities.

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Where is Arizona?

Read more about Arizona at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona

U.S. Census:
Lithuanian-Americans

STATE

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
N. Carolina
N. Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
S. Carolina
S. Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
W. Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
D.C.

TOTAL

YEAR 2000

1,600
962
10,143
1,062
51,406
8,690
32,035
2,780
38,724
6,573
926
1,193
87,294
10,051
2,572
2,073
1,945
1,577
4,744
17,866
51,054
30,977
5,633
537
5,571
1,136
3,215
3,448
7,256
37,726
1,775
49,083
6,635
265
23,970
1,388
4,472
78,330
3,419
3,129
287
3,010
12,586
1,605
1,691
12,837
8,071
1,660
13,379
475
1,156

659,992

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