History of Phoenix, Arizona, USA

In 1866, the origins of Phoenix, Arizona, trace back to its humble beginnings as a hay camp established to support nearby Camp McDowell. Located in the Salt River Valley, Phoenix initially served as a crucial supply point for the military post, which was part of the U.S. Army's efforts to maintain control and peace in the region amidst tensions with Native American tribes. The area's fertile land and access to water from the Salt River made it an ideal location for agriculture and settlement, despite its harsh desert environment. Over time, Phoenix expanded beyond its military roots, attracting settlers who saw the potential for growth and development in this budding frontier town.

In 1867, Jack Swilling of Wickenburg stopped to rest his horse at the foot of the north slopes of the White Tank Mountains. He looked down and across the expansive Salt River Valley and his eyes caught the rich gleam of the brown, dry soil turned up by the horse's hooves. He saw farm land, predominately free of rocks, and in a place beyond the reach of heavy frost or snow. All it needed was water.

Returning to Wickenburg, he organized the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company, and moved into the Valley. The same year, the company began digging a canal to divert some of the water of the Salt River onto the lands of the Valley. By March 1868, water flowed through the canal, and a few members of the company raised meager crops that summer.

In 1889, Arizona's state capital was relocated from Tucson to Phoenix, marking a pivotal moment in the state's history. The decision to move the capital was influenced by a variety of factors, including economic considerations and the strategic location of Phoenix in central Arizona. Phoenix, already emerging as a hub for commerce and transportation due to its proximity to major rail lines and natural resources, offered greater potential for growth and development compared to Tucson.

Phoenix, fee'nix, a city, since 1890 the capital of Arizona and the seat of justice of Maricopa co., 226 miles N.E. from Yuma, and 35 miles N. of Maricopa, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, with which it is connected by a branch. It has several churches and banks, a court-house, jail, flour-mills, an active general business, and offices issuing 3 daily and 4 weekly newspapers. Pop. in 1890, 3152.

PHOENIX, Ariz., June 5.- An explosion was heard here tonight in the direction of Alhambra. A freight train on the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix has not arrived and the wires are down. A relief train is making upu. [sic] The supposition is that a car of dynamite on the freight train blew up.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 6 Jun 1903


DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.
Two Carloads on Freight Train in Arizona Blow Up.
Phoenix, Ariz., June 5. - A big explosion was heard here about 9 o'clock tonight in the direction of Alhambra.

A freight train on the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix railroad has not arrived and the wires are down. Later it was learned that two cars of dynamite on the southbound freight train was blown up five miles from Phoenix. The only persons injured were Engineer Chambers and Fireman Shipp. They will both recover.

The Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, ID 6 Jun 1903


The relief train sent out on the Santa Fe., Prescott and Phoenix railroad to investigate the cause...

Phoenix, a city, since 1890 the capital of Arizona and the seat of justice of Maricopa co., 226 miles NE. of Yuma, on the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Rs. It has a mining and agricultural region and is an important distributing point. It has flour-mills, iron-works, etc., and is a winter resort. Pop. in 1890, 3152; in 1900, 5544. Elevation. 1075 feet.

GUESTS CALLED FROM THEIR BEDS TO ENCOUNTER A STIFLING ATMOSPHERE IN THE CORRIDORS WHICH TO THE LATER ONES HAD BECOME IMPASSABLE - THE ESCAPE OF ALL WAS BY SO NARROW A MARGIN THAT IT WAS FEARED FOR A TIME THAT ALL WERE NOT SAVED.

SPLENDID WORK OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PREVENTED WHAT THREATENED TO BE WIDESPREAD CALAMITY - FIRE HAD HARDLY BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL WHEN PLANS BEGAN TO FORM FOR A NEW HOTEL ADAMS.

Phoenix, Arizona - In the greatest disaster in all the fiery record of Arizona the Hotel Adams, the largest and most expensive building in Phoenix, was utterly destroyed yesterday morning.

All that was left last night to mark where it stood was a tall chimney, an elevator shaft, the half of which had been sheared away longitudinally, and a tall spire of masonry whose fall was momentarily threatened. Men were proposing to complete the ruin and remove the menace with dynamite.

The loss of the hotel and its contents, to say nothing of the individual losses of the guests...