Paleo and archaic Indian period
The first inhabitants of the desert southwest, including what would become Phoenix, called … See more

In 1863 the mining community of Wickenburg was the first to be established in what is now Maricopa County, to the north-west of … See more

By the turn of the century, the population of Phoenix had reached 5,554, and the following year, on February 25, 1901, Governor Murphy dedicated the permanent state … See more

Population and industrial growth
The city grew explosively in the 1950s; the population expanded by a factor of three, and industry by a factor of fifteen. The growth brought serious problems of minority housing, traffic congestion, smog, and a fading of the … See more

Spanish explorers most likely traveled through the area in the 16th century. They left accounts of their travels, and also left behind European … See more

By 1881, Phoenix' continued growth made the existing village structure with a board of trustees obsolete. The 11th Territorial Legislature passed "The Phoenix Charter Bill", incorporating … See more

World War II
During World War II, Phoenix's economy shifted to that of a distribution center, rapidly turning into an embryonic industrial city with mass … See more