Gilbert started life as a railroad siding on the Arizona Eastern Railway. As that railroad siding was built on the property of William "Bobby" Gilbert, when the town was incorporated in 1920 it was named for him. In those days, Gilbert was also known as the "Hat Capital of the World."

These days, as part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Gilbert is one of the fasted growing towns in America (although the corporation documents have not been changed to keep up with Gilbert's present status as a city).

Gilbert, Arizona
A waterfront view in the Val Vista Lakes subdivision in Gilbert