With 2024 being called by some people a historic year, we decided to finish this year by focusing on one of my passions, local history.
We asked two of our favorite local history connoisseurs to walk us through some of the major historical events that have shaped Phoenix into the place it is today. Two experts, Steve Schumacher, Phoenix Mayor’s Office Official Historian, and Phoenix native Don Ryden, a historical architect, offered their perspectives on the development of the city of Phoenix. Steve specializes in events, while Don is an expert on places.
This article will be delivered in two parts in our newsletter. This week will take us through the history of when Phoenix was named the capital of Arizona. Next week will take us through the boom era up to the early 60’s.
Agriculture and The Ancients
Steve says any history of the area has to begin with the earliest settlers, the Huhugam, from 450-1450 A.D. Taking us back well over 500 years ago, these people developed an intricate and extensive agricultural civilization. Steve tells us that over a thousand miles of canals were hand-dug, directing water throughout the valley floor. Don tells us the best place to better understand the extent of the Huhugam civilization is the S’edav Va’aki/Pueblo Grande Museum at 4619 E. Washington St. in Phoenix. This museum is dedicated to exploring and presenting the cultural heritage, linking the past with the present. Don suggests taking the Park of Four Waters tour.
Over time, there were several men who played a role in establishing Phoenix and had an eye for enterprise.
- A rather interesting character named Jack Swilling came to the Valley in the 1860s. He was a Confederate soldier hailing from South Carolina and an aide to the US Army. Steve tells us Jack noticed the remnants of the canals left by the Huhugam. Utilizing the waters of the Salt River, those hardy folk created and recreated the Huhugam agricultural legacy. Jack saw the potential they held for the development of agriculture. Just after the Civil War, Jack built a huge adobe home and grew various crops on his 160 acre farm, just north of what is now Sky Harbor airport.
- William Hellings’ observed the growth in the area and knew there would be a need for a flour mill. He bought the equipment he needed from San Francisco for 75k. The Hellings’ mill was established in Phoenix around the area of 30th and E. Fillmore.
The Townsite
Once Agriculture was tenuously established in the Valley, the area began to grow and attract others to the fertile and now irrigated desert floor. Surveyors drafted the first survey of the original townsite as the small settlement began to take hold and grow. 320 acres were designated as the official townsite of Phoenix, west of Hellings’ Mill. Not without controversy, Steve adds. Mr. Swilling wanted the town to be in the area of the mill called Mill City, now a part of Phoenix. Residents voted about where to locate the town and set the center at Central Avenue and Washington St.
Pioneer Phillip Darrell Duppa coined the name of the new city. He thought the name Phoenix best suited the city as it was growing, or rising, out of the remains of the ancient Huhugam civilization like the mythical bird. As you might imagine, there was some controversy about that as well. Mr. Swilling, a confederate, preferred the name Stonewall. Others thought Pumpkinville was appropriate due to the proliferation of the melon in area agriculture. That might have had some interesting repercussions!
This survey point of beginning now lies in the middle of automobile and light rail traffic. William Hancock was the surveyor of the original townsite, laying the grid of roads and parcels out on the US grid system initiated by Thomas Jefferson. Don mentioned that an original artifact of the era, a survey transit, is displayed in the lobby of the Phoenix Science Center.
The Moving Capital
The capital of Arizona was quite the moving target in the late 1800’s.
- In 1863 President Lincoln established the Arizona Territory by splitting the bigger proposed New Mexico Territory.
- The United States government made Prescott the first territorial capital in 1864.
Arizona capitol building - In 1867, the territorial legislature voted to move the capital to Tucson, as they believed Tucson was a more established town with greater resources.
- The capital was again relocated back to Prescott in 1877.
- Steve relays that in 1889, the legislature wanted a more central location, and they chose the growing town of Phoenix as the capital’s final home. Phoenix was a convenient location as it was a growing trading community and at a point halfway between Prescott and Tucson.
Don brought our attention to the incredible detail of our Arizona Capitol Building. The architect for the building was James Riely Gordon, and it was constructed by a Texan named Tom Lovell. Gordon chose materials that were indigenous to Arizona. The Granite hails from the mountains around Phoenix. Tufa was from Kirkland, near Prescott, and the white oak came from the forests of Northern Arizona. The roof on the dome was originally Terne Metal, which is sheet metal coated with lead and tin and painted copper. The dome was replaced with copper in the 1970’s. Construction was started in 1899, taking three years to complete.
Don likes to highlight the theme of the floor mosaic below the rotunda. The mosaic theme is the industries that Arizona is known for. These industries are known as the 5 C’s of Arizona, but only 3 are on the seal. Don encourages those who visit the Arizona State Capital and the Museum, to take a moment to identify which of the 5 C’s, copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate is missing.
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PODCAST
December 14, 2024
The origin of Phoenix, Arizona dates back to the Hohokam people 2000 years ago. Why did they think a society can grow and survive in the area? Mayor’s Office Official Historian Steve Schumacher and Architect Don Ryden discuss their amazing resourcefulness that grew their society. The story of Jack Swilling, the founding father of Phoenix. Architectural style of the state capital building and how the city came to be in its current location.
Original Broadcast Archive Page With Expanded Content
PHOTO CREDIT
- Phoenix Mayor’s Office
