The Palo Verde area was settled in 1886, by John G. Roberts and family. Mr. Roberts helped in the construction of the Arizona and Buckeye canals, served a term as cattle inspector, and was deputy sheriff at Buckeye under three Maricopa County sheriffs.[2][3] One of the first structures built, which still stands, was the Palo Verde Baptist Church, organized in 1890.[4]
Palo Verde exists as a county island within the planning boundary of Buckeye. This precludes any possibility of incorporation for the community, but annexation into Buckeye is a possibility.
In 1995, a train derailment occurred near the town of Palo Verde.