So they set out on a somewhat fact-finding mission. What they discovered did not excite them. They saw what they perceived to be nothing of value," Southard said. So a new proposal was introduced to make New Mexico and Arizona one state. New Mexico was all for it. Arizona, not so much. There was fear that this would be a very negative development for the people of Arizona," Southard explained. That included initiative, referendum and recall. There were concerns about whether that would affect the impartiality of judges, if that would introduce political whims into the retention of judges," said Southard.
And it did, President Taft then signed Arizona into statehood. About one in five residents had a telephone, but most ignored the device simply because there just wasn't anyone to call. But venture past downtown's borders -- Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue to the east and west, and north from the railroad tracks to Van Buren Street -- and such amenities were rare. The desert had been partially tamed though an intricate network of canals and irrigation ditches. Citrus orchards were as common to the landscape as saguaros.
On smaller plots of land, farmers grew a variety of fruits and vegetables to sell locally, loading their wagons each morning for a trip to one of Phoenix's many small downtown grocery stores. If they needed supplies while in town, residents would visit one of Phoenix's three department stores: Diamond's Boston Store, Korrick's or Goldwater's.
Larger than mercantile stores, the three carried just about everything, from hardware to apparel to canned goods, arranging items by departments so customers could easily find what they needed. Between agriculture, small businesses and the rapidly expanding railroad, Phoenix was thriving as it entered the national spotlight on Feb. Few cared that it was not Arizona's largest city.
Tucson had 13, residents, according to the U. Waking up as residents of Arizona's territorial capital, and knowing they would be going to sleep that night as residents of Arizona's state capital, had the city electric with anticipation. But the day meant even more to a young couple who waited patiently in a downtown church, ready to match the milestone event with one of their own.
At a. Instead they waited for official word. The two had been planning this for months, entering their new lives together just as Arizona entered statehood.
They were in no rush. As Taft finished the signing in Washington, with three motion-picture cameras capturing the moment, the news was sent toward Arizona via telegraph. It took 55 minutes for word to finally reach Phoenix, arriving at the main telegraph station at the railroad depot. Among those awaiting official word was a boy or young man entrusted with one thing -- alert members of the wedding as soon as possible. Though no official record exists, the wedding's representative likely pushed his way out of the crowd for many were there to spread the word on the street , hopped on a bike and headed to the church.
The ceremony began as soon as word was received. Melzer and Goldberg exchanged vows, and soon he slipped onto her finger the ring presented to him by the 3-year-old ring bearer, Barry Goldwater. At the western end of downtown, a crowd had gathered around George W. The 5-foot-9, nearly pound Hunt took his first steps along the unpaved road, spectators in tow. He likely paused briefly as he encountered the irrigation ditches that ran along many streets, balancing along the wooden planks that allowed passage.
While unsightly, the ditches were key to Phoenix's growth, as were the canals to which they were connected. They carried water essential to the area's farms and ranches, as agriculture drove the area's economy. The canals served a dual purpose in summers when residents struggled with the heat.
Families would gather along the banks, particularly where shade trees had been planted years earlier, allowing visitors to gather under the protective canopy of leaves. The canals were not nearly as popular as Phoenix Park now Eastlake Park on the eastern edge of town. Your contact info We'll be in touch if we look into your question. Skip to main content. Download mp3 7 MB. The Show.
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