History of Phoenix, Arizona

History of Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix’s active artistic life was intensified following the 1989 opening of the Herberger Theater Center. Located in the heart of the city, near the Civic Plaza Convention Center and Symphony Hall, the Herberger Center hosts various theaters of different sizes for different types of performances, from classical music to cabaret to classical drama. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera, with their extensive classical and contemporary repertoire, magnify the cultural life of the city. Annual events in Phoenix include the National Livestock Show, Agricultural Fair, Arizona State Fair, and Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition.

Agricultural production and tourism have traditionally been the economic foundations of the city, and remain important factors in Phoenix’s well-being. The main industries manufacture spare parts for the aerospace industry, agrochemistry, electronics, air conditioners, the tanning industry and indigenous crafts. The processing and packaging of agricultural products in the region is another important element of the local economy. Population expansion and economic growth have made Phoenix the center of Arizona’s economy. Nine out of ten new residents of the state settle in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The low taxes and wide range of services also attract private companies. Major companies have established their headquarters in or around the city. The job offer is higher in sectors that require skilled labor, such as electronics and engineering.

Phoenix is ​​served by Skyharbor International Airport. The city is connected to the 10 interstate highways and 17 major arteries that connect it to the rest of the country.

Tourism today is of vital importance to Phoenix. Seven million visitors each year come to the city from other parts of the United States and Canada, attracted by its sunny and warm climate, making it a major recreation center.

Phoenix history

The city of Phoenix is ​​located on the original site of the Hohokam tribe, Native Americans, who developed a thriving culture, but disappeared without a trace around 1450. The Hohokams built a sophisticated system of irrigation canals, many of which were still functioning in the late 20th century. The Spanish conquistadors who had arrived in this region years earlier occupied Arizona in the 16th century. With the intent of colonizing it, they brought cattle, horses and new agricultural techniques. After the settlers, miners, traders and new farmers arrived in the region. The presence of these new settlers was tolerated by the Indians until the mid-nineteenth century, a time when conflicts broke out between them and the Indian tribes.

Over the years, the Indian tribes of Arizona were moved to reservations. Thus, in 1864, the former Hohokam settlement was turned into a military camp by the army. Shortly after, the place was baptized with the name of “Phoenix” (Phoenix), as it is said, on the initiative of a colonizer who predicted the rebirth of the settlement. Whether true or not, the fact is that the city of Phoenix has grown very quickly since then, thanks largely to the railroad and canal system that made this city an important trading center. This force led to Phoenix becoming the state capital in 1912, once Arizona was admitted as a member of the Union.

At that time, Phoenix acquired a reputation as a rude frontier city for its rebellious environment and its saloons and casinos. At the turn of the century order and respect for the law were restored, and Phoenix became the final destination for waves of immigrants from the four corners of the country.

In 1902, the federal government authorized the investment in the construction of the Salt River reservoir, to avoid the catastrophic floods of previous years, and in an attempt to supply water and electricity to the region and thus favor the growth of the central area of ​​the United States.. Starting from the Second World War, various military training bases were built in the vicinity, this favored its expansion. Other events such as the completion of the Central Arizona Projectin the 1980s for the use of Colorado River resources, or the spread of air conditioning systems, they helped attract many families from neighboring states to Phoecroduced impressive growth in the city and its metropolitan area, a trend that has continued to this day. As a result, the city is now a magnificent example of a modern and expanding city, where a mix of styles can be seen. In fact, elements of the indigenous and Spanish heritage coexist in the city, with the contributions of contemporary architecture. On the negative side, the authorities have to deal with the control of polluting emissions and the problems.

History of Phoenix, Arizona

About the author