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History

Native American Inhabitants

As early as AD 700, the Hohokam civilization occupied the land that would become Phoenix. This inventive society created as many as 135 miles (217 km) of irrigation canals. This allowed the otherwise dry and desolate terrain to become arable. Little is known about the Hohokam, but it is believed that between AD 1300 and AD 1450 periods of drought and severe floods lead to their disappearance.

Pre-Incorporation

Passing through the area in 1867, Jack Swilling of Wickenburg, Arizona stopped to rest at the foot of the White Tank Mountains and observed land that had great potential for farming. The terrain and climate where optimal, except for a lack of precipitation and suitable irrigation. Not discouraged, Swilling returned to Wickenburg and formed the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company. By March 1868, the first canals had water flowing and crops where planted. A small community had formed about four miles (6 km) east of the present city and a few miles northwest of another community at Hayden's Ferry, which would become Tempe.

The farming community was named Swilling's Mill in his honor. It was renamed to Helling Mill, then to Mill City. Years later, it would be renamed to East Phoenix. Swilling, a former Confederate soldier, wanted to name the city "Stonewall", after Gen. Stonewall Jackson. Others suggested the name of "Salina". However, neither name was suitable to the community. Finally, Lord Darrell Duppa suggested the name "Phoenix", as it described a city born from the ruins of a former civilization.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, which, at the time, encompassed Phoenix, officially recognized the town of Phoenix on May 4, 1868 and formed an election precinct. The first post office was established on June 15, 1868, with Jack Swilling serving as the postmaster. With the population growing, a townsite needed to be selected. On October 20, 1870, the residents held a meeting to decide where to locate it. A 320 acre (1.3 km²) plot of land was purchased in what is now the downtown business section. On February 12, 1871, the territorial legislature created Maricopa County, the sixth in the state, by dividing Yavapai County. Maricopa County gave up portions in 1875 and 1881 to help form Pinal and Gila counties, respectively. The first county election in Maricopa County was held in 1871, when Tom Barnum was elected the first sheriff. Barnum ran unopposed as the other two candidates, J. A. Chenowth and Jim Favorite, had a shootout that ended in Favorite's death and Chenowth withdrawing from the race.

Several lots of land where sold in 1870 at an average price of $48. The first church opened in 1871, as did the first store. Public school had its first class on September 5, 1872, in the courtroom of the county building. By October 1873, a small school was completed on Center Street (now Central Avenue). Land entry was recorded by the Florence Land Office on November 19, 1873 and a declaratory statement filed in the Prescott Land Office February 15, 1872. President Ulysses S. Grant issued a land patent for the present site of Phoenix on April 10, 1874. The total value of the Phoenix Townsite was $550, with downtown lots selling for between $7 and $11 each. A short time later, a telegraph office, 16 saloons, four dance halls and two banks where open.

Incorporation

By 1881, Phoenix had outgrown its original townsite-commissioner form of government. The 11th Territorial Legislature passed "The Phoenix Charter Bill", incorporating Phoenix and providing for a mayor-council government. The bill was signed by Governor John C. Fremont on February 25, 1881. Phoenix was incorporated with a population of approximately 2,500, and on May 3, 1881, Phoenix held its first city election. Judge John T. Alsap defeated James D. Monihon, 127 to 107, to become the city's first Mayor. In early 1888, the city offices were moved into the new City Hall, built where the downtown bus terminal now stands. This building also provided temporary offices for the territorial government when it moved to Phoenix from Prescott in 1889.

The coming of the railroad in the 1880s was the first of several important events that revolutionized the economy of Phoenix. Merchandise now flowed into the city by rail instead of wagon. Phoenix became a trade center with its products reaching eastern and western markets. In response, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was organized on November 4, 1888.

20th Century

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act allowing for dams to be built on western streams for reclamation purposes. Residents were quick to enhance this by organizing the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association on February 7, 1903, to manage the water and power supply. The agency still exists today as part of the Salt River Project. On February 14, 1912, under President William Howard Taft, Phoenix became the capital of the newly formed state of Arizona.

In 1913, Phoenix adopted a new form of government from mayor-council to council-manager, making it one of the first cities in the United States with this form of city government.

The 1940s marked another turning point, as war changed Phoenix from a farming center to a distribution center. Phoenix rapidly turned into an embryonic industrial city with mass production of military supplies. Luke Field, Williams Field and Falcon Field, coupled with the giant ground-training center at Hyder, west of Phoenix, brought thousands of men into Phoenix.

By 1950, over 100,000 people lived within the city and thousands more in surrounding communities. There where 148 miles (238 km) of paved streets and 163 miles (262 km) of unpaved streets.