This page will contain images about Phoenix, Arizona, as they become available.Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, largest city and largest metropolitan area in the state of Arizona, United States. Phoenix ranked:
Phoenix was incorporated on February 5, 1881. It is the county seat of Maricopa County and the principal city of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Phoenix is called Hoodzo (lit. 'the place is hot') in Navajo (a language spoken in Arizona & New Mexico) and Fiinigis in Western Apache (a language spoken in Arizona). |
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| City nickname: "Valley of the Sun" | |
Location in the state of Arizona |
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| Founded | May 4, 1868 |
| County | Maricopa County |
| Mayor | Phil Gordon |
| Area - Total - Water |
1,230.5 km² (475.1 mi²) 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) 0.05% |
| Population - City (2000) - Density - Metropolitan |
1,416,055 (2004 est) 1,074/km² 3,251,876 |
| Time zone | Mountain (UTC –7) |
| Coordinates WGS-84 (GPS) |
33.5283° N 112.0763° W (http://kvaleberg.com/extensions/mapsources/index.php?params=33.5283_N_112.0763_W_region:US_type:city) |
| phoenix.gov | |
The earliest settlers in the Valley of the Sun were the Hohokam people, who lived there as early as 300 BC. They were the first to farm there, building an elaborate canal system that brought water from the Salt River. Their name is derived from the Pima (Akimel O'otham) phrase, Ho Ho Kam, "the people who have gone". They also lived in the Pueblo Grande ruins between 700 and 1400 A.D. They were industrious, enterprising, and imaginative. Their irrigation system comprised some 135 miles (217 km) of canals. Their disappearance ca. 1450 A.D. remains a mystery. Prolonged drought may have destroyed or displaced them; or, they may be the ancestors of the modern Pima Indians who now live on the Salt River and Gila River reservations, or the Tohono O'odham Indians who live in southern Arizona.
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 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 farmland, predominantly free of rocks, and beyond the reach of heavy frost or snow. All it needed was water. By 1868, he and others from Wickenburg had dug a short canal from the Salt River and founded a small farming colony approximately four miles (6 km) east of the present city (about 22 miles west of Mesa, which was already a city of 1,000 people; and a few miles northwest of a similar farming community at Hayden's Ferry, which would become Tempe).
The area was named Swilling's Mill in his honor. It would later become Hellinwg Mill, Mill City, then East Phoenix. As for the town that was to be built, Swilling, a former Confederate soldier, wanted to name it Stonewall, after Stonewall Jackson; others suggested Salina.
Darrel Duppa recommended the name Phoenix, memorializing the birth of a new civilization from the ruins left by the Hohokam.
The town of Phoenix was officially recognized on May 4, 1868, when the Board of Supervisors of Yavapai County (which at the time encompassed Phoenix), formed an election precinct there. The Phoenix post office was established June 15, 1868, with Jack Swilling as postmaster.
The area was surveyed in 1870 and mass meeting of the citizens of Salt River Valley was held on October 20, 1870, to select a suitable piece of unimproved public land for a town site. They recommended the North 1/2 of section 8 Township 1 N., Range 3 E. and that the town be called Phoenix.
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 of Maricopa County.
The first public school in Phoenix opened on September 5, 1872, in the courtroom of the county building. By October 1873, a small adobe school building was completed on Center Street (now Central Avenue), a short distance north of where the San Carlos Hotel now stands. Miss Nellie Shaver, a newcomer from Wisconsin, was appointed as the first female schoolteacher in Phoenix.
On April 10, 1874, President Grant issued a land patent for the present site of Phoenix. The total cost of the Phoenix Townsite of 320 acres (1.3 km2) was $550, including all expenses for services.
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, in which Judge John T. Alsap defeated James D. Monihon, 127 to 107, to become the city's first Mayor.
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 recognition of the increased tempo of economic life, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was organized on November 4, 1888.
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.
In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act making it possible to build dams on western streams for reclamation purposes. Valley of the Sun residents were quick to supplement this federal action by organizing the Salt River Valley Waters Users' Association on February 4, 1903, to assure proper management of the precious water supply. It functions to this day as the major agency for controlled use of irrigation water in the Valley.
On May 18, 1911, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, then the largest masonry dam in the world, began operation. It created Roosevelt Lake, expanded irrigation of land in the Valley for farming, and increased the water supply for the growing population.
On February 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft approved Arizona's statehood, making Phoenix the state capital.
In 1913, Phoenix changed its form of government from mayor-council to council-manager. Phoenix was one of the first cities in the United States to have this form of city government.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge sold 13,000 acres (53 km²) of South Mountain to the city of Phoenix for $17,000. At its present size of 16,500 acres (67 km2), South Mountain Park is the largest metropolitan park in the world, and it entertains 3 million visitors each year.
Phoenix began to grow into a young metropolis. By 1920, Phoenix had a population of 29,053 inhabitants, which by 1930 had grown by 60%, to 48,118.
1940 marked another turning point, as the 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.
In 1950, 105,000 people lived within the city limits and thousands more lived in adjacent communities and depended upon Phoenix for their livelihoods. The city had 148 miles (238 km) of paved streets and 163 miles (262 km) of unpaved streets, a total of 311 miles (501 km) of streets within the city limits.
Phoenix has been selected four times since 1950 as an All-America City, rare among larger cities. The hallmark of an All-America City is the extent to which its private citizens get involved in the workings of their government. Thousands of citizens have served on various city committees, boards and commissions to assure that major decisions are in the best interest of the people.
Phoenix is located at 33°31'42" North, 112°4'35" West (33.528370°, -112.076300°)1 in the Phoenix Valley or "Valley of the Sun" in central Arizona. It lies at a mean elevation of 1,117 feet (340 m) in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.
The Greater Phoenix area has a population of 3.2 million and includes Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria and many smaller communities such as Goodyear, Fountain Hills, Litchfield Park, and Anthem. Major retirement communities include Sun Lakes, Sun City, and Sun City West. The community of Ahwatukee is a part of the City of Phoenix itself, but is almost entirely separated from it by South Mountain.
The Salt River runs westward through the city of Phoenix; it is typical to see the riverbed entirely dry except when unexpected runoff forces the release of water from any of the several dams upriver. The city of Tempe has built two inflatable dams in the Salt River to create a year-round recreational lake, called Tempe Town Lake. The dams are deflated to allow the river to flow unimpeded during releases. During periods of increased precipitation such as late 2004/early 2005 its current can become quite strong and regular.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the northeast, the White Tank Mountains to the west, the Superstition Mountains far to the east, and the Sierra Estrella to the southwest. Within the city are the Phoenix Mountains and South Mountains. Current development (as of 2005) is pushing rapidly beyond the geographic boundaries to the north and west, south through Pinal County towards Tucson, and beginning to surround the large Salt River and Gila River reservations.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,230.5 km² (475.1 mi²). 1,229.9 km² (474.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.05% water.
Clear blue skies are typical, with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The temperature reaches or exceeds 100 °F (38 °C) on an average of 89 days during the year, including most days from early June through early September. In every year except 1911, the temperature has soared to 110 °F (43 °C) or higher. On June 26, 1990, the temperature reached an all-time high of 122 °F (50 °C). The dry Arizona air makes the hot temperatures more tolerable early in the season; however, the influx of monsoonal moisture has been known to make August in Phoenix almost as humid as summers in the Southeastern United States.
Phoenix SkylineThe normal annual rainfall at Sky Harbor International Airport is 8.29 inches (211 mm). March is the wettest month of the year (1.07 inches or 27 mm). Rain is particularly scarce from April through June. Although thunderstorms occur on occasion during every month of the year, they are most common during the monsoon season from July to mid-September as humid air surges in from the Gulf of California. Winter storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean occasionally produce significant rains but occur infrequently. Fog is observed from time to time during the winter months. Blowing dust and sand, which also can restrict visibility, accompany the collapse of monsoonal thunderstorms. The wind-front creates a haboob, a wall of dust thousands of feet high. Severe thunderstorms—bringing strong winds, large hail, or tornadoes—can occur during any month of the year, but only happen an average of once or twice per year somewhere in the metropolitan area.
At the airport, the mean date of first frost is December 12 and the last is February 7; however, these dates do not represent the city as a whole because the frequency of freezes varies considerably among terrain types and elevations. Some areas of Phoenix may see frost for a month or more before and after the airport readings. The earliest frost on record occurred November 3, 1946, and the latest April 4, 1945. Successive winters without any frosts at the airport have been recorded, and the longest period without a freeze stretched from November 23, 1979 to January 31, 1985.
Snow falls roughly one year in four, but since recording commenced in 1896 it has accumulated to 0.1 inch (0.25 cm) only 7 times. The heaviest snowstorm occurred on January 20-21, 1937, when 1 to 4 inches fell (2 to 10 cm) in parts of the city and did not melt entirely for four days. Another 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) fell on January 20, 1933. On February 2, 1935, 0.5 inches (1 cm) fell. Most recently, 0.4 inches (1 cm) fell on December 21-22, 1990. Snow also fell on March 12, 1917 November 28, 1919, and December 11, 1985.
The city of Phoenix is served by a council-manager form of government. The current mayor of Phoenix is Phil Gordon. There is an 8-person city council that represents 8 individual districts in the city of Phoenix.
Phoenix is divided into 15 "urban villages". Their primary purpose is to assist the City Council with zoning and planning ordinances. 14 of the urban villages are:
The 15th remains unnamed; it is listed as "New Village" on the city's Village Planning Committee website [1] (http://phoenix.gov/PLANNING/vpcommtt.html). This village was created in 2004 after the approval of new annexations in extreme northern Maricopa County. The new annexation is sparsely populated (if at all) and new development is not expected in the near future.
Public education in Phoenix if provided by about 30 school districts.
Formerly an agricultural economy dependent mostly on cotton and citrus farming, Phoenix in the last two decades has diversified as rapidly as the population has grown. Many of the area's residents are employed by the state government since Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. Numerous high-tech and telecommunications companies have located in the Valley of the Sun. Arizona State University has enhanced the area's population through education and its growing research capabilities. Due to the warm climate in winter, Phoenix benefits greatly from seasonal tourism and recreation, and has a particularly vibrant golf industry.
The military has a significant presence in Phoenix with Luke Air Force Base located in the western suburbs. At its height, in the 1940s, the Phoenix area had 3 military bases: Luke Field (still in use), Falcon Field, and Williams-Gateway Field, with numerous auxillary air fields located throughout the region.
At the census of 2000, there were 1,321,045 people, 465,834 households, and 307,450 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,074/km² (2,782/mi²). There were 495,832 housing units at an average density of 403/km² (1,044/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.07% White, 5.10% African American, 2.02% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.40% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 34.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any country origin.
There were 465,834 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.39.
In the city the population age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,207, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,833. 15.8% of the population and 11.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Phoenix is served by several major television stations:
This list is incomplete.
AM
FM
Phoenix's first publication was the Salt River Valley Herald. It later changed its name to the Phoenix Herald in 1880. By this time, the paper had progressed from a weekly publication to semiweekly.
The city has two major newspapers: The Arizona Republic serves the greater metropolitan area and The East Valley Tribune tends to focus on East Valley issues. In addition, the city is also served by numerous free neighborhood papers and weeklies such as the Phoenix New Times, Arizona State University's State Press, and the College Times. For 40 years, The Bachelor's Beat, a paid weekly newspaper has covered local politics while selling ads for area strip clubs and escort services.
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For 40 years, The Bachelor's Beat, a paid weekly newspaper has covered local politics while selling ads for area strip clubs and escort services. Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer was named the Associated Press' NFL Coach Of The Year for the 2004-2005 season. In addition, the city is also served by numerous free neighborhood papers and weeklies such as the Phoenix New Times, Arizona State University's State Press, and the College Times. They entered the first round (the Wild Card portion) of the playoffs as a lower seed, but proceeded to be eliminated by opponent New York Jets, who won in overtime over the Chargers 20-17. Rookie placekicker Nate Kaeding missed a 40-yard field goal that would have advanced San Diego into the next round, thus opening the door for a Jets victory. The city has two major newspapers: The Arizona Republic serves the greater metropolitan area and The East Valley Tribune tends to focus on East Valley issues. The Chargers went on to finish the regular season 12-4. By this time, the paper had progressed from a weekly publication to semiweekly. An estimated 1200+ fans waited as long as six hours to greet the team at Chargers Park, their year-round training facility starting in 2005. It later changed its name to the Phoenix Herald in 1880. In fact, the Chargers had not made the post-season since 1995, the year after their Super Bowl XXIX appearance, until on December 19, 2004, a year removed from their disastrous 4-12 season of 2003, they finally earned a trip back to the post-season by capturing the AFC West Division Title, winning their eighth straight game while shutting out the Cleveland Browns 21-0. Phoenix's first publication was the Salt River Valley Herald. They were the host team for Super Bowls XXII, XXXII, and XXXVII in San Diego, but failed to make the playoffs in any of these seasons. FM. The underdog Chargers lost to the 49ers, 49-26. AM. In 1995, the San Diego Chargers made their first and only Super Bowl appearance against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX in Miami. This list is incomplete.. The game began with San Diego building a 24-0 lead and then losing all of it by early in the third quarter. Phoenix is served by several major television stations:. Both quarterbacks threw for more than 400 yards, and tight end Kellen Winslow caught 13 passes and blocked a crucial field goal despite despite suffering from heat-induced fatigue and cramps. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. On January 2, 1982 the Chargers were involved in a memorable double-overtime playoff game against the Miami Dolphins, ultimately winning 41-38. 15.8% of the population and 11.5% of families were below the poverty line. 17, 1979, the Chargers defeat the Denver Broncos 17-7 for their first AFC West division title since the merger before a national Monday Night Football television audience and their home crowd. The per capita income for the city was $19,833. On Dec. Males had a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. San Diego also clinched their first playoff berth in 14 years with a 35-0 victory against the New Orleans Saints. The median income for a household in the city was $41,207, and the median income for a family was $46,467. In 1970, the San Diego Chargers settled into the AFC West division after the NFL merger with the AFL. 1979 marks a positive turning point for the Chargers franchise as quarterback Dan Fouts sets an NFL record with his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game, in a game in which he threw for 303 yards against the Oakland Raiders. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males. The Chargers of that era were widely acknowledged as having the most striking uniforms in the history of pro football. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. The Chargers franchise appeared in the first two American Football League Championship games and five altogether, winning the AFL title in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the Boston Patriots. The median age was 31 years. The phrase was later appropriated by various NFL teams. In the city the population age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The Chargers were the originators of the term "Fearsome Foursome" to describe their all-star defensive line, anchored by Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.39. They also played defense, as indicated by their professional football record 49 pass interceptions in 1961. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. With stars such as Lance Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln and John Hadl, the Chargers' offense struck fear into the hearts of AFL defenders. There were 465,834 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. Their only coach for the ten year life of the AFL was Sid Gillman, a Hall of Famer who forced his competition to try to field as professional a product as the Chargers. 34.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any country origin. The Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers were one of the elements that made the American Football League the genesis of modern professional football. The racial makeup of the city was 71.07% White, 5.10% African American, 2.02% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.40% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. In his day, he set the pro football record of consecutive games with a reception. There were 495,832 housing units at an average density of 403/km² (1,044/mi²). The early AFL years of the San Diego Chargers were highlighted by the outstanding play of wide receiver Lance Alworth. The population density was 1,074/km² (2,782/mi²). The Chargers only spent one season in L.A. before moving to San Diego in 1961. At the census of 2000, there were 1,321,045 people, 465,834 households, and 307,450 families residing in the city. Established with seven other American Football League teams in 1959, in 1960, the Chargers began AFL play in Los Angeles. At its height, in the 1940s, the Phoenix area had 3 military bases: Luke Field (still in use), Falcon Field, and Williams-Gateway Field, with numerous auxillary air fields located throughout the region. Note: The throwback jersey helmets are white with a yellow lightning bolt and the player number in black.. The military has a significant presence in Phoenix with Luke Air Force Base located in the western suburbs. The Chargers now annually wear throwback uniforms from the 1960's that are sentimental favorites. Due to the warm climate in winter, Phoenix benefits greatly from seasonal tourism and recreation, and has a particularly vibrant golf industry. Note: The original colors of the Charger franchise was Electric blue (sky blue), gold, and white. Numerous high-tech and telecommunications companies have located in the Valley of the Sun. Arizona State University has enhanced the area's population through education and its growing research capabilities. The San Diego Chargers are a National Football League team based in San Diego, California. Many of the area's residents are employed by the state government since Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. Eli Manning. Formerly an agricultural economy dependent mostly on cotton and citrus farming, Phoenix in the last two decades has diversified as rapidly as the population has grown. Ryan Leaf. Public education in Phoenix if provided by about 30 school districts. Tim Dwight. The new annexation is sparsely populated (if at all) and new development is not expected in the near future. Alfred Pupunu. The 15th remains unnamed; it is listed as "New Village" on the city's Village Planning Committee website [1] (http://phoenix.gov/PLANNING/vpcommtt.html). This village was created in 2004 after the approval of new annexations in extreme northern Maricopa County. Natrone Means. 14 of the urban villages are:. Stan Humphries. Their primary purpose is to assist the City Council with zoning and planning ordinances. Marion Butts. Phoenix is divided into 15 "urban villages". Ernie Wright. There is an 8-person city council that represents 8 individual districts in the city of Phoenix. Walt Sweeney. The current mayor of Phoenix is Phil Gordon. Junior Seau. The city of Phoenix is served by a council-manager form of government. Paul Lowe. Snow also fell on March 12, 1917 November 28, 1919, and December 11, 1985. Paul Maguire. Most recently, 0.4 inches (1 cm) fell on December 21-22, 1990. Keith Lincoln. Another 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) fell on January 20, 1933. On February 2, 1935, 0.5 inches (1 cm) fell. Ernie Ladd. The heaviest snowstorm occurred on January 20-21, 1937, when 1 to 4 inches fell (2 to 10 cm) in parts of the city and did not melt entirely for four days. Jack Kemp. Snow falls roughly one year in four, but since recording commenced in 1896 it has accumulated to 0.1 inch (0.25 cm) only 7 times. John Hadl. Successive winters without any frosts at the airport have been recorded, and the longest period without a freeze stretched from November 23, 1979 to January 31, 1985. Miller Farr. The earliest frost on record occurred November 3, 1946, and the latest April 4, 1945. Earl Faison. Some areas of Phoenix may see frost for a month or more before and after the airport readings. Speedy Duncan. At the airport, the mean date of first frost is December 12 and the last is February 7; however, these dates do not represent the city as a whole because the frequency of freezes varies considerably among terrain types and elevations. Doug Flutie. Severe thunderstorms—bringing strong winds, large hail, or tornadoes—can occur during any month of the year, but only happen an average of once or twice per year somewhere in the metropolitan area. Darren Bennett. The wind-front creates a haboob, a wall of dust thousands of feet high. Dan Fouts 14. Blowing dust and sand, which also can restrict visibility, accompany the collapse of monsoonal thunderstorms. LaDainian Tomlinson (RB). Fog is observed from time to time during the winter months. Philip Rivers (QB). Winter storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean occasionally produce significant rains but occur infrequently. Igor Olshansky (DT). Although thunderstorms occur on occasion during every month of the year, they are most common during the monsoon season from July to mid-September as humid air surges in from the Gulf of California. Keenan McCardell (WR). Rain is particularly scarce from April through June. Quentin Jammer (CB). March is the wettest month of the year (1.07 inches or 27 mm). Randall Godfrey (LB). The normal annual rainfall at Sky Harbor International Airport is 8.29 inches (211 mm). Antonio Gates (TE). The dry Arizona air makes the hot temperatures more tolerable early in the season; however, the influx of monsoonal moisture has been known to make August in Phoenix almost as humid as summers in the Southeastern United States. Donnie Edwards (LB). On June 26, 1990, the temperature reached an all-time high of 122 °F (50 °C). Jesse Chatman (RB). In every year except 1911, the temperature has soared to 110 °F (43 °C) or higher. Drew Brees (QB). The temperature reaches or exceeds 100 °F (38 °C) on an average of 89 days during the year, including most days from early June through early September. Kellen Winslow. Clear blue skies are typical, with an average of 300 sunny days a year. Ron Mix. The total area is 0.05% water. Charlie Joiner. 1,229.9 km² (474.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. Sid Gillman. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,230.5 km² (475.1 mi²). Dan Fouts. Current development (as of 2005) is pushing rapidly beyond the geographic boundaries to the north and west, south through Pinal County towards Tucson, and beginning to surround the large Salt River and Gila River reservations. Lance Alworth. Within the city are the Phoenix Mountains and South Mountains. The Phoenix metropolitan area is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the northeast, the White Tank Mountains to the west, the Superstition Mountains far to the east, and the Sierra Estrella to the southwest. During periods of increased precipitation such as late 2004/early 2005 its current can become quite strong and regular. The dams are deflated to allow the river to flow unimpeded during releases. The city of Tempe has built two inflatable dams in the Salt River to create a year-round recreational lake, called Tempe Town Lake. The Salt River runs westward through the city of Phoenix; it is typical to see the riverbed entirely dry except when unexpected runoff forces the release of water from any of the several dams upriver. Major retirement communities include Sun Lakes, Sun City, and Sun City West. The community of Ahwatukee is a part of the City of Phoenix itself, but is almost entirely separated from it by South Mountain. The Greater Phoenix area has a population of 3.2 million and includes Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria and many smaller communities such as Goodyear, Fountain Hills, Litchfield Park, and Anthem. It lies at a mean elevation of 1,117 feet (340 m) in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Phoenix is located at 33°31'42" North, 112°4'35" West (33.528370°, -112.076300°)1 in the Phoenix Valley or "Valley of the Sun" in central Arizona. Thousands of citizens have served on various city committees, boards and commissions to assure that major decisions are in the best interest of the people. The hallmark of an All-America City is the extent to which its private citizens get involved in the workings of their government. Phoenix has been selected four times since 1950 as an All-America City, rare among larger cities. The city had 148 miles (238 km) of paved streets and 163 miles (262 km) of unpaved streets, a total of 311 miles (501 km) of streets within the city limits. In 1950, 105,000 people lived within the city limits and thousands more lived in adjacent communities and depended upon Phoenix for their livelihoods. 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. Phoenix rapidly turned into an embryonic industrial city with mass production of military supplies. 1940 marked another turning point, as the war changed Phoenix from a farming center to a distribution center. By 1920, Phoenix had a population of 29,053 inhabitants, which by 1930 had grown by 60%, to 48,118. Phoenix began to grow into a young metropolis. At its present size of 16,500 acres (67 km2), South Mountain Park is the largest metropolitan park in the world, and it entertains 3 million visitors each year. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge sold 13,000 acres (53 km²) of South Mountain to the city of Phoenix for $17,000. Phoenix was one of the first cities in the United States to have this form of city government. In 1913, Phoenix changed its form of government from mayor-council to council-manager. On February 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft approved Arizona's statehood, making Phoenix the state capital. It created Roosevelt Lake, expanded irrigation of land in the Valley for farming, and increased the water supply for the growing population. On May 18, 1911, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, then the largest masonry dam in the world, began operation. It functions to this day as the major agency for controlled use of irrigation water in the Valley. Valley of the Sun residents were quick to supplement this federal action by organizing the Salt River Valley Waters Users' Association on February 4, 1903, to assure proper management of the precious water supply. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act making it possible to build dams on western streams for reclamation purposes. This building also provided temporary offices for the territorial government when it moved to Phoenix from Prescott in 1889. In early 1888, the city offices were moved into the new City Hall, built where the downtown bus terminal now stands. In recognition of the increased tempo of economic life, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was organized on November 4, 1888. Phoenix became a trade center with its products reaching eastern and western markets. Merchandise now flowed into the city by rail instead of wagon. The coming of the railroad in the 1880s was the first of several important events that revolutionized the economy of Phoenix. Monihon, 127 to 107, to become the city's first Mayor. Alsap defeated James D. Phoenix was incorporated with a population of approximately 2,500, and on May 3, 1881, Phoenix held its first city election, in which Judge John T. Fremont on February 25, 1881. 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. By 1881, Phoenix had outgrown its original townsite-commissioner form of government. The total cost of the Phoenix Townsite of 320 acres (1.3 km2) was $550, including all expenses for services. On April 10, 1874, President Grant issued a land patent for the present site of Phoenix. Miss Nellie Shaver, a newcomer from Wisconsin, was appointed as the first female schoolteacher in Phoenix. By October 1873, a small adobe school building was completed on Center Street (now Central Avenue), a short distance north of where the San Carlos Hotel now stands. The first public school in Phoenix opened on September 5, 1872, in the courtroom of the county building. The first county election in Maricopa County was held in 1871, when Tom Barnum was elected the first sheriff of Maricopa County. Maricopa county gave up portions in 1875 and 1881 to help form Pinal and Gila counties, respectively. On February 12, 1871, the territorial legislature created Maricopa County, the sixth in the state, by dividing Yavapai County. They recommended the North 1/2 of section 8 Township 1 N., Range 3 E. and that the town be called Phoenix. The area was surveyed in 1870 and mass meeting of the citizens of Salt River Valley was held on October 20, 1870, to select a suitable piece of unimproved public land for a town site. The Phoenix post office was established June 15, 1868, with Jack Swilling as postmaster. The town of Phoenix was officially recognized on May 4, 1868, when the Board of Supervisors of Yavapai County (which at the time encompassed Phoenix), formed an election precinct there. Darrel Duppa recommended the name Phoenix, memorializing the birth of a new civilization from the ruins left by the Hohokam. As for the town that was to be built, Swilling, a former Confederate soldier, wanted to name it Stonewall, after Stonewall Jackson; others suggested Salina. It would later become Hellinwg Mill, Mill City, then East Phoenix. The area was named Swilling's Mill in his honor. By 1868, he and others from Wickenburg had dug a short canal from the Salt River and founded a small farming colony approximately four miles (6 km) east of the present city (about 22 miles west of Mesa, which was already a city of 1,000 people; and a few miles northwest of a similar farming community at Hayden's Ferry, which would become Tempe). All it needed was water. He saw farmland, predominantly free of rocks, and beyond the reach of heavy frost or snow. He looked down 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. In 1867, Jack Swilling of Wickenburg stopped to rest his horse at the foot of the north slopes of the White Tank Mountains. Prolonged drought may have destroyed or displaced them; or, they may be the ancestors of the modern Pima Indians who now live on the Salt River and Gila River reservations, or the Tohono O'odham Indians who live in southern Arizona. remains a mystery. 1450 A.D. Their disappearance ca. Their irrigation system comprised some 135 miles (217 km) of canals. They were industrious, enterprising, and imaginative. They also lived in the Pueblo Grande ruins between 700 and 1400 A.D. Their name is derived from the Pima (Akimel O'otham) phrase, Ho Ho Kam, "the people who have gone". They were the first to farm there, building an elaborate canal system that brought water from the Salt River. The earliest settlers in the Valley of the Sun were the Hohokam people, who lived there as early as 300 BC. 'the place is hot') in Navajo (a language spoken in Arizona & New Mexico) and Fiinigis in Western Apache (a language spoken in Arizona). Phoenix is called Hoodzo (lit. It is the county seat of Maricopa County and the principal city of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Phoenix was incorporated on February 5, 1881. Phoenix is the capital, largest city and largest metropolitan area in the state of Arizona, United States. U Turn. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Used Cars. The Prophecy. Bad Santa. Jerry Maguire. Waiting to Exhale. Raising Arizona. Psycho. The Gauntlet. Chastity (http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2005-03-17/film/film.html). Modem. Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned architect. Felicity Willis. Dot Wilkinson. Danny White, former pro football star. Michele Timms. Tovrea. Edward A. Shannon Smith. Ahmed Santos. Axl Rose. Rick Romley, former Maricopa County attorney. Freddie Roach. Dan Quayle, former US Vice President. Naibe Reynoso. Nicole Powell. Sandra Day O'Connor, US Supreme Court Justice. Brandy Norwood. Leslie Nielsen. Stevie Nicks. Arturo Moreno. Phil Mickelson. Alex Kump. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. Keating Jr. Charles H. Bil Keane. Randy Johnson. Kevin Johnson. Jenna Jameson. Carl Hayden, former US Senator. Gordon Liddy. G. Jesus Gonzalez. Luis Gonzalez. Barry Goldwater, former US Senator and 1964 presidential candidate. Cotton Fitzsimmons. Terri Fields. Louie Espinoza. Milton Erickson. Hugh Downs. John Dillinger. Joe Diaz. Jose Miguel Cotto. Alice Cooper. Jerry Colangelo, founder of Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. Linda Cobb. Michael Carbajal. Glen Campbell. Yori Boy Campas. Michelle Branch. Danny Bonaduce. Erma Bombeck. Charles Barkley, former basketball player for Phoenix Suns. Bruce Babbitt, former governor of Arizona, and US Interior Secretary. Joe Arpaio, sheriff of Maricopa County. The Tradition, PGA Champions Tour. Standard Register Turquoise Classic, LPGA. FBR Open, PGA TOUR. Insight Bowl at Bank One Ballpark. Fiesta Bowl at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium. Sun Devil Stadium, home of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Phoenix International Raceway, Indy Racing League and NASCAR. Manzanita Speedway, sprint car racing. Glendale Arena, home of the Phoenix Coyotes. Firebird International Raceway, boat racing, drag racing, road course. Bank One Ballpark, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. America West Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns. Arizona Sting, National Lacrosse League (team plays in Glendale). Arizona Rattlers, Arena Football League. Phoenix Roadrunners, ECHL. Phoenix Coyotes, National Hockey League (team plays in Glendale). Phoenix Mercury, Women's National Basketball Association. Phoenix Suns, National Basketball Association. Arizona Cardinals, National Football League (team plays in Tempe, and is building a stadium in Glendale). Arizona Diamondbacks, Major League Baseball. 107.9 - KMLE - Country. 103.9 - KEDJ - Alternative Rock (The Edge). 103.1 - KCDX-FM- 60s-80s album rock (no DJs, no commercials). 101.5 - KZON - Alternative Rock (The Zone). 100.7 - KSLX - Classic Rock. 97.9 - KUPD - Album Rock (98 KUPD). 96.9 - KMXP - Adult Contemporary. 95.5 - KYOT - Smooth Jazz. 93.3 - KDKB - Album Rock - Mesa. 92.7 / 101.1 KNRJ-FM - Dance/Club Music - Payson. 91.5 - KJZZ - Public Radio: News/Talk days; Jazz: M-F eve; Blues: Sun eve. 89.5 - KBAQ - Classical - Phoenix. 1580 - KMIK - Radio Disney - Mesa. 1510 - KFNN - Finance - Fox - Mesa. 1480 - KPHX - Comedy Radio (via satellite) - Phoenix. 1440 - KAZG - Oldies - Scottsdale. 1400 - KSUN - Regional Mexican Music - Phoenix. 1360 - KPXQ - Religious/Talk - Glendale. 1310 - KXAM - Talk - CNN - Mesa. 1280 - KXEG - Christian - Phoenix. 1230 - KOY - Nostalgia - CNN - Clear Channel. 1190 - KMYL - Talk - NBC - Tolleson. 1150 - KCKY - Spanish Christian - Coolidge. 1100 - KFNX - News/Talk - CNN - - Cave Creek. 1060 - KDUS - Sports - Sporting News - Tempe. 1010 - KXXT - Air America Radio - Tolleson. 960 - KKNT - "The Patriot" - News/Talk Radio - Salem Broadcasting. 910 - KGME - Sports - Clear Channel. 860 - KMVP - Sports - ESPN. 740 - KDIR - Spanish talk (Radio Formula network from Mexico) - Phoenix. 710 - KMIA - Spanish News/Talk (Radiovisa network) - Black Canyon City. 620 - KTAR - News/Talk Radio - ABC. 550 - KFYI - Conservative Talk Radio - Fox - Clear Channel. KASW-61 (WB 6, WB). KPPX-51 (PAX 51, PAX). KDRX-48 (Telemundo). KUTP-45 (UPN 45, UPN). KTVW-33 (Univision). KAZT-27 (AZTV 27 Prescott, Independent). KPAZ-21 (Channel 21, TBN). KNXV-15 (ABC 15, ABC). KPNX-12 (Channel 12, NBC). KSAZ-10 (FOX 10, FOX). KAET-8 (Channel 8, PBS). KPHO-5 (CBS 5, CBS). KTVK-3 (3TV, Independent). The Vanguard Group. Wells Fargo. Wal-Mart. UPS. Industries. Trujillo Corp. Southwest Airlines. Safeway. Shamrock Foods Company (Private). Qwest Communications. Pulte Homes, Inc (Owner of Del Webb). Motorola. Kroger (Parent of Fry's Food). Intel. Morgan Chase (Acquired Bank One). J.P. Honeywell International. General Dynamics. Gannett (Arizona Republic). Freescale (Spin-off of Motorola). Dial Corporation (Owned by Henkel KGaA). Cyclone Commerce Inc. Cox Communications. Boeing. Bashas' Inc (Private). Banner Health Systems (Formerly Samaritan Health System). Bank of America. American Express. Amerco Inc (Parent of U-Haul). Albertsons. Viad Corp. U-Haul. Industries. Trujillo Corp. Three-Five Systems Inc. Taser International Inc. Swift Transportation Co. (Goodyear-based Potato Chip maker). Poore Brothers, Inc. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. P.F. Pinnacle West Capital Corp (Parent Company of APS). Phelps Dodge Corporation. Petsmart Inc. Mobile Mini Inc. MicroChip Technology, Inc. Mesa Air Group Inc. Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. Knight Transportation Inc. JDA Software Group Inc. Inter-Tel Inc. Insight Enterprises Inc. FINOVA group inc. eFUNDS Corp. Discount Tire Co. The Dial Corporation. Cold Stone Creamery. Best Western. Aztar Corp. Avnet, Inc. Arizona Land Income Corp. Apollo Group Inc. Amkor Technology. America West Airlines. Allied Waste Industries Inc. It has had many students with prestigious distinctions. North Canyon High School is located in the north valley and features an International Baccalaureate program. High schools
Paradise Valley. North Mountain. North Gateway. Maryvale. Laveen. Estrella. Encanto. Desert View. Desert Ridge. Deer Valley. Central City. Camelback East. Alhambra. Ahwatukee Foothills. (2000 census). the eighth-fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. (including Washington, DC). the largest capital city by area and population in the U.S. the 14th largest metropolitan area of the United States, with a population of 3,251,876 (2000 census). the sixth-largest city in the U.S., with a population of 1,321,045 (as of the 2000 census); however, according to a 2004 US Census estimation, Phoenix is now the fifth-largest city, surpassing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with 1.5 million people. |