History
The capital of Arizona and the largest city in the state, Phoenix is situated in the center of Arizona, on the Salt River. It is believed that the prehistoric Hohokam Indians were the first ones to settle in this area in about 300 B.C. They also plowed an organized and widespread irrigation system of canals for agricultural purposes.

The major credit for resettling this location goes to Jack Swilling and “Lord Darrell” Duppa, who started developing the area in about 1867. And it was “Lord Darrell” Duppa who suggested the city to be named as Phoenix, after the legendary bird that could regenerate itself, because the city was set up on the ruins and remains of the prehistoric civilization. By March 1868, water was successfully flown through the canals, and a few people had raised small amount of crops that summer.

Soon farming and ranching prospects started building in and around the area. Rapidly growing as a business and trade center, Phoenix was confirmed as a city in 1881. In 1889, it became the territorial capital of Arizona.   

Slowly and gradually, the city began to spring up with all the necessities for a town. On June 15, 1868, a post office was established in Phoenix and Jack Swilling served as the first postmaster. July 1871 saw the opening of the first store building to be erected, called the Hancock's Store, a general store by William Smith.

In 1871, the first county election was held and Tom Barnum was voted as the first sheriff of the Maricopa County. From September 5, 1872, education was provided for Phoenix's youth and about 20 children started studying under the guidance of Jean Rudolph Derroche. The venue of the classroom was the courtroom of the county building. In 1906, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam was started. The specialty of this dam was that it was the first multiple-purpose dam, supplying both water and electric power. It was constructed under the National Reclamation Act.

But it was after World War II, that the city developed rapidly, and it’s the population increased from 100,000 to 980,000. On Feb. 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft approved Arizona's statehood and on March 18, 1912, the first State Legislature was called into session by Gov. George Hunt.

Today, Phoenix is a commercially proficient center in agricultural region. Some of the other major industries that the city contributes to are agricultural products, electronics, leather goods, aerospace technology and Indian arts and crafts. But it is timbering and tourism, which largely contribute to the economy of the state.  
During 1990 and 2000, the city’s population increased by 34% and became a figure of 1.3 million.  Currently, Phoenix endures to be one of the rapidly emerging cities in the U.S.