Historical Overview of Phoenix

Phoenix has come a long way since its days as nothing more than barren desert on the edges of the Salt River. Today it is a modern metropolitan city, that has not forgotten its past as evidenced by its Southwestern architecture and Native American cultural influences that are interwoven with the sophisticated lifestyle of its residents.

The Earliest Residents. The Ancient Hohokam.

Its earliest inhabitants were the ancient Hohokam Indians. These true Native Americans thrived in the region until about 1450 AD. There is no record of the Hohokam Indians after that, although they are believed to be ancestors several modern day Indian Tribes including the Pima Indians. In the Pima language, "hohokam" means "those who have gone." Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Site, one of the Hohokam village settlements in the area.

For about 25,000 years, Native Americans were alone in what is now Arizona. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of three major tribal groups: the Anasazi of the state's northern plateau highlands; the Mogollon people of the northeastern and eastern mountain belt; and the Hohokam.

There are 23 Native American reservations in Arizona - more than in any other state in the country. These reservations are home to an estimated 300,000 Native Americans from 21 different tribes.

Arrival Of The Spanish Explorers.

Around the mid-1500s, the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Arizona, searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. Although the Spanish found little gold, they introduced the native people to cattle and horse raising as well as a variety of new agricultural crops and techniques. Until the mid-1850s, the Native American tribes accepted the few miners, traders and farmers who settled in Arizona. As the number of white settlers grew, however, the Apache, Navajo, Yavapai, Hualapai and Paiute tribes of the mountains and plateaus resented the encroachment on their land and battles broke out.

The military was called in and eventually the Native American tribes were confined to government reservations. The ensuing decades were an ordeal for Arizona's natives, but they survived with the same diligence that enabled their ancient ancestors to thrive in the Southwest.

The City Was Born In 1860.

The city of Phoenix originated in 1860 as a small settlement on the banks of the Salt River which at one time flowed freely through the Greater Phoenix area. One of the city's first settlers gave Phoenix its name, predicting that a great city would arise from the ancient Hohokam ruins like the legendary phoenix bird that was said to have risen from its own ashes. Mythology suggested the phoenix bird was immortal, rising from its ashes every 500 years.

The first railroad was built in 1887 which drew drew settlers from all over the United States. In 1889, it was declared the capital of the Arizona territory which was initially was Prescott, Arizona. Statehood was celebrated on Feb. 14, 1912, and George P. Hunt was elected Arizona's first governor. The George P. Hunt Tomb is located in Papago Park.

The future of Greater Phoenix is promising, as new "settlers" and visitors flock to the metropolis to enjoy its Southwestern lifestyle. Over 50,000 new residents move to the Valley of the Sun every year making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation every year. The population of the Greater Phoenix area including Phoenix suburbs is over 4,000,000.