Shortly after WWII, Gilbert & Frances Greer purchased a 320 -acre property for a large cattle ranch.

1947:  Ben Schleifer came to Arizona to visit a friend in a nursing home.  "Big Ben" then had a vision of creating an active retirment community.

1949:  Gilbert Greer passed away and Elmer Johns arrived to help manage the ranch.

1954:  The Youngtown Development Company was formed, consisting of Ben Schleifer, Frances Greer, and Elmer Johns.  Ben Schleifer had the idea of an active retirement community, Frances Greer had the ranch, and Elmer Johns thought that the idea and ranch could be brought together.

1955:  125 homes were built, 85 lots had been sold, and only 40 lots remained.

1957:  Youngtown was featured on the national TV show Wide Wide World, by Dave Garroway.  This led to national attention for the area and a new retirement movement began.

1960:  Youngtown incorporated.

1960:  Sun City was also launched, which triggered economic development for Youngtown.  The Post Office, A Bank, A J Bayless Grocery Store, gas station, and pharmacy in town meant that residents did not need to travel to other areas for their shopping. 

1960:  The nation's first AARP Chapter was established in Youngtown.

1966:  Sheriff Nofs was shot and killed.  Youngtown began to realize that the town was no longer isolated.

1970's: Custom homes started to be built and Youngtown became designated a bedroom community.

Late 1970's:  Margaret Chittenden becomes the town's first female police officer.

1986:  A preview of times ahead - the Senior Age Overlay was threatened.

1995:  The Youngtown Water Company was sold.

1996:  The new Library building was constructed.

1998:  The Senior Age Overlay was overturned through the ruling of the Attorney State General.  Younger people and families started to move in and activities for children and playgrounds were discussed.

2001:  Daphne Green becomes the town's first female mayor.

2001:  Youngtown joined the Sun City Fire District.

2001:  Voters elected to directly vote for the Office of the Mayor.

2001:  The Manager/Council form of government was established.  The town's first Town Manager, Mark Fooks, was hired.

2002:  Agua Fria Ranch subdivision was developed.  The population of the town doubled, and even more families and children began moving to the town.

2006:  The firing of the town's Town Manager sparks a recall election of the Mayor and two councilmembers.

2007:  Cisco became the town's first K-9 Officer and part of our police force.

2008:  Chief Kimberly Johnson becomes the town's first female Chief of Police.

2008:  Lucille Retheford becomes the town's first Person of the Year recipient for 2007.

2009:  Youngtown Historical Society is dissolved and the Youngtown Historical Museum is established. 

2010:  Town Council places Primary Property Tax initiative on May 2010 ballot.