Tucsonans who go to Puerto Peņasco are familiar with the town of Why. It's the place to stop for gas, restrooms, snacks, Mexican insurance, and a chance to stretch after the two-hour ride from Tucson or Puerto Peņasco, as the case may be.
Why has long been the subject of jokes like the following:
According to one source Why got its name because the two roads from Phoenix and Tucson meet here and one road goes south to the border, forming a Y. Another story tells that when enough people had settled there to name the place, someone said "Why in the hell did you come here?" and they decided on Why as a name.
The first settlers were Mrs. Peggy Kater and her husband James, who located here in 1950. Within a few years 80 other homes were built. Why has never been incorporated, but Mrs. Kater has been its unofficial mayor ever since.
Most of the 80 homes are not visible from the junction, but the gas station on the east side has been a landmark for over 25 years The present owner, Joe Flores, bought it in 1979. Joe was born in Mexico but grew up in El Paso. He has lived in or near Ajo since 1959. Joe and his wife, who we were sorry to hear recently died, have three children, Joe, Jr., Emilio, and Nina. All of them are active in the business. The Flores family owns another gas station in Ajo.
At the time Joe bought the station and the surrounding land, it was a small building with only 2 gas pumps in front. Joe has subsequently enlarged it, added a detached structure with restrooms, and opened a cafe, a store, a garage, and a towing service. The store sells Mexico insurance and a variety of groceries and snacks. Behind the station there is a 5-room motel belonging to the Flores family and a fire station and community center that belong to the town. About 3 years ago, Joe got tired of commuting from Ajo and built a second-floor home above and behind the store.
The Flores family is continuing to expand and enhance its services. They are about to break ground for a new station with 4 pumps, the type that can be operated with credit cards. They are also considering leasing space to a fast-food franchise.
Steve and Sandy Rogers own the Why Not store and service station, just across the road from the Flores complex, another landmark of downtown Why. The most immediately noticeable feature of Why Not is the big red bull with the blinking eye, which is actually a fast food stand. When the bull's side is opened it reveals a counter with a kitchen behind it.
When Steve and Sandy bought the store three years ago, the bull was already part of it, but they found out something about its history from the previous owner, Grady Young. The bull was custom made in South Carolina for a man who followed the rodeo circuit with it. But bad luck struck--he lost his wife, his business, and the bull all in the same year. Somehow the bull ended up in a Tucson bank repossession sale, where Young bought it.
Since they have owned the store, Steve and Sandy have doubled its size and added many services. It now houses the post office and sells propane and Mexico insurance, as well as gasoline, snacks, and groceries. There's a small eating area at the rear of the store, where local folks are often to be found having coffee and chatting. Outside there are more tables.
Sandy says that the best thing about Why Not is the customers. "We meet great people every day," she says. That's what makes the job fun."
Now we know Why.
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