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Historic Photos of Phoenix
written by Eduardo Obregon Pagan, published by Turner Publishing
The Historic Photos of Phoenix covers the growth of this
"frontier" town as it becomes a bustling, modern city. The first
section covers 1869-1899--a period where the Pueblo-style adobes
gave way to more Victorian-style homes and buildings. The
hostilities with the local Native Americans ceased and the
streets were renamed, taking away Indian names and replacing
them with numbers. The railroad brought in red brick and
plumbing fixtures and the look of Phoenix was transformed. From
a modest start as a farming community, surviving two major fires
and a flood, it wasn't long before Phoenix boasted the Hotel
Adams, considered the finest hotel in the Southwest. A great
photo shows the construction of the Arizona Canal that ran out
of the Salt River, a 50 mile canal that delivered water to
the Salt River Valley, helping the development of Scottsdale,
Glendale and Peoria, AZ.
The next period, 1900-1919 depicts the move of the capital from
Prescott to Phoenix. The growth is substantial and Arizona
becomes a state. The demand for cotton helped Phoenix through
WWI. Streets started to be paved, and the Rough Riders returned
from the Spanish-American War. Those suffering from respiratory
diseases moved to Phoenix, a result of their doctors
recommendations. The automobile arrived and a dam was built to
stop the flooding that plagued the Salt River Valley.
By 1920-1939, the third period the
book covers, Phoenix had grown to 30,000 residents with more
than 1000 buildings. their first radio station started
broadcasting. this was the jazz age, automobiles had become
common and the stockmarket crashed. Phoenix, along with the rest
of the world, got ready for another war. A photo depicting
Prohibition and the Rough Riders marching in a parade show the
attitude and social feelings of the time.
That last period, 1940 -1970, show a
much happier time. WWII brought the country out of the Great
Depression and Phoenix became the largest fighter training base
for the Army Air Corps. Phoenix was transformed from an
agricultural center to an industrial center. Business was
booming with the influx of military families.
The selection of photos and good,
solid writing take the reader through the journey of Phoenix
growing from a small agricultural community, to the thriving
metropolis of the 1970s. The hours of dedication and work in
this volume make this a book any Phoenician or visitor to
Phoenix, would love to own.
Historic
Photos of Phoenix is a GLYPH WINNER for best coffee table book
honored by the 2008 Arizona Book Awards.
Author
Eduardo Obregon Pagan
was interviewed on our online history radio show, Way Back When,
on October 3, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited show,
please click here. To listen to Eduardo's interview, please
double click on the Play Button below:
Turner
Publishing Company Turner Publishing Company is an award-winning,
independent publisher of specialty and trade
titles. They specialize in Regional & Local
History; Historic Photos Books; Southern Fiction
and Literature; General Nonfiction and
Children’s Books.
Read more aboutTurner
Publishing.
QUICK LINKS TO OUR ONLINE RADIO SHOWS--TUNE
IN ANY TIME!
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Historic Photos of Phoenix
