Phoenix's modern history begins in 1867 when Jack Swilling of Wickenburg was traveling through the area.
The land was fertile, free from rocks and safe from heavy frost; all it needed was water. In 1868, Swilling organized the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company, moved into the Valley and began digging a canal. As the water flowed into the area, so did the settlers.
The number of pioneers grew so rapidly that by 1870 it was agreed that a permanent townsite had to be established.
With the purchase of 320 acres, the official townsite was designated. Today this area would be bounded by Van Buren and Jackson streets, Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street.
Like all new settlements, the town needed a name. Darrell Duppa, a resident, suggested the name "Phoenix" after the legendary Phoenix bird.
According to legend, a bird was consumed by fire in its own nest, and a new and more beautiful bird arose. Duppa believed the new city would arise "Phoenix-like" from the ancient Pueblo Grande ruins.
Captain William Hancock was appointed to make the first survey of the townsite and to lay out the town lots. Phoenix contained 96 blocks. Washington Street, the main thoroughfare, was 100 feet wide.
On April 10, 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant issued a patent for the present site of Phoenix. The townsite was purchased for $550 and individual lots were sold for $11 each. Phoenix was officially incorporated on Feb. 25, 1881.
Look quickly around the city of Phoenix. It has not looked like this for very long and the future promises progress and more change.
Phoenix has grown to become the nation’s sixth most populous city with about 1.5 million residents. Unlike many other cities, Phoenix has grown rapidly in a relatively short period of time.
Before World War II, Phoenix was a sleepy little southwestern town best known for its climate, cotton, cattle, citrus and copper, known locally as the “Four C’s”.
During the post war years, word began to spread that Phoenix was a civilized city with abundant sunshine and recreational pleasures to share.
Phoenix is a tapestry of neighborhoods including the historic homes of the Encanto District, the cozier adobe homes of the Willo district, a country club lifestyle encircles the famed Arizona Biltmore Hotel, and some of the most expansive estates line the lightly wooded, curbless streets of north Central Avenue.
South Mountain Village represents one of the “urban villages” designated by the Phoenix Planning commission. The goal of these “urban centers” within the city is to offer a unique choice of lifestyle in which residents may live, work and play.
On Phoenix’s south edge is the popular area known as the Ahwatukee Foothills. Ahwatukee is an Indian word meaning “house of my dreams” or “magic place of my dreams”. One of the areas attractions for residents is its convenience to the East Valley and also downtown Phoenix. Driving SUV’s instead of covered wagons, families are still coming to Phoenix. Tourism is one of the metropolitan area’s leading industries employing over 250,000 residents.
That’s good news for Phoenicians who have at their disposal year-round the restaurants, retail centers and recreational areas targeted to tourists.
The Phoenix calendar is filled with festivals and events that reflect many cultures.
While economically, ethnically and culturally diverse, Phoenicians have two things in common: An appreciation for sunny weather and an active outdoor lifestyle. Phoenix is considered one of the sunniest cities in the country, enjoying sunshine over 300 days a year.
True to its name, downtown Phoenix is being transformed into a hub for business, sports and arts. Copper Square is approximately 90 blocks of downtown Phoenix consisting of Urban Lifestyle, businesses and establishments geared for entertaining when sports enthusiasts finish watching the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns or any of the scheduled venues in Downtown Phoenix. There are over 100 restaurants, markets and bars in the surrounding downtown Phoenix and Copper Square area.
In the heart of downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Diamondbacks play in Chase Field, a 48,500 seat stadium featuring a retractable roof and natural grass playing field.
The Phoenix Suns Basketball team play at the US Airways Center just around the corner from Chase field. US Airways center also hosts over 200 concert and sports events each year.
Highlights of downtown Phoenix include museums, Symphony Hall and the Herberger Theater, which invites patrons in for brown-bag lunch performances. Other great attractions include the restaurants of the Arizona Center, the new Dodge Theatre, the Orpheum Theater, once considered the most luxurious playhouse west of the Mississippi.
Recently restored this ornate Spanish Baroque Revival Theater is used for performing arts and community and civic events.
The downtown revitalization project in Phoenix includes the Phoenix Civic Plaza, the Central Library and the Phoenix Art Museum,
Copper Square is home to the Phoenix Convention Center which houses facilities for many trade shows, conventions and festivals. Many high end resorts, restaurants and activities are within walking distance. Copper Square and the Phoenix Convention Center are conveniently accessible to the Interstate I17 or I10 freeways.
2006 saw the phase 1 opening of the West Convention Center with over 62,400 sq. ft of exhibit space, 48,000 sq. ft of meeting space, a 45,300 sq. ft multi-purpose ballroom and the newly renovated Symphony Hall that offers a 2,400 seat theater.
Phase 2 of the expansion began in late 2006 and when completed will bring the total sq. footage of the Convention Center to 900,000 sq. ft. The Convention Center is expected to be among the top 20 convention centers in the nation when completed.
Phoenix is also constructing a light rail system that will run near the cities major downtown sports facilities, office buildings, Sky Harbor Airport, through Tempe and a mile into Mesa.
Sky Harbor Airport is located just minutes from downtown Phoenix and is one of the busiest airports in the nation.
To keep pace with its ever growing traffic, Sky Harbor built the Barry Goldwater Terminal, a modern, expansive facility that reflects the character of its hometown.
Sky Harbor has rapidly become the Southwest’s commercial hub.
Phoenix 2007 Points of Pride
The Phoenix Pride Commission is proud to present the 30 favorite Points of Pride in Phoenix selected by more than 40,000 Valley residents. This list consists of great places to visit in Phoenix.
- Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
- Arizona Center
- Ben Avery Shooting Facility
- Camelback Mountain
- Cricket Pavilion
- Deer Valley Rock Art Center
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Encanto Park
- Heard Museum
- The Herberger Theater Center
- Historic Heritage Square
- Japanese Friendship Garden - Ro Ho En
- Mystery Castle
- Orpheum Theatre
- Papago Park/Hole-In-The-Rock
- Thomas J. Pappas School
- Patriots Square Park
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area
- Phoenix Zoo
- Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
- Shemer Art Center and Museum
- South Mountain Park
- St. Mary's Basilica
- Symphony Hall
- Telephone Pioneers of America Park
- Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden
- US Airways Center
- Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
- Wrigley Mansion