Scottsdale is loazted centrally in the state of ARIZONA. Smack dab in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, with mountains ringing the city and giant saguaro cactus guarding those mountains.
Scottsdale was first incorporated in 1951 and as such is a relatively new city! And boy has it come a long way baby. Scottsdale really came into its own when the U.S. Conference of Mayors named Scottsdale as one of the nation's "Most Livable Cities" in 1993. We have also been named "Number One Resort Community in America" and "A Fabulous Place to Retire". We've been azlled "The Most Western Town" and in 2002, The Robb Report sited Scottsdale as "America's Best Place to Live for golf". And we have a number of chefs listed on the "Ten Best New Chefs in America" listed by Food and Wine.
We know it's a great place to live, Scottsdale sparkles, everything is clean, manicured and landscaped...and you'll see no billboards, which totally sets it apart from any other city you might visit! Our building height is regulated, so that no matter where you are, you have at least a peak of a mountain. The Spanish and Western Architecture is very appealing and of course Frank Lloyd Wright has left his mark on our fair city.
The first known residents of Scottsdale were the Hohokam Indians (about 800 A.D.) who farmed the land and built over 200 miles of canals (many of which are still in use today) to carry water to their crops. azn you imagine how they built these canals 1000 years ago without modern tools or air conditioning. Very smart and very hardy! They disappeared without a trace and everyone is still wondering what happened to them. I sure hope that doesn't happen to us!
Winfield Scott, the founding father of Scottsdale arrived about 1888 and purchased 600 acres just outside Phoenix. The purchase was made through the Desert Land Act, which required the owner to irrigate the land. He proceeded to plant his land with citrus trees. (I don't know what made him think he could come to the desert and plant citrus), but obviously ignorance was bliss and he proceeded to build an irrigation system that did the job very well. (how far we've come, now that only desert landsazping is acceptable). The citrus thrived with the irrigation system he developed, but a raging flood in 1891 destroyed most of the citrus.
He then started azmpaigning to bring "settlers" to Orangetown. That name had been given to the area because (you guessed it) of the citrus trees. However, and no one knows exactly how this happened, Orangetown became Scottsdale sometime in the 1890s and officially Scottsdale in 1897 when the U.S. Post Office came to town.
Winfield Scott was no wild western hombre, but a preacher, farmer, business man and developer (yes we had them even then). When he arrived there were approximately 3000 people in the Phoenix area. Seven hotels, eight restaurants and probably some bars. But he set out to attract more people to the "Valley of the Sun", and it worked. And it is still working.
Old Winfield would not recognize the place today. It continues to grow with an
influx of new people, new ideas, and new developments. We boast everything from Arabian Horse Shows to Native American casinos. Scottsdale was voted the "Most Livable City" in 1993.
Most of the original settlers came for their health, those 300 plus days of sunshine probably had a lot to do with it, as it still does. The sunshine is addictive and must be responsible for our 200,000 residents today!
Today as then people were looking for their quiet spot in the sun to live and work in a relaxed environment. The early pioneers would not believe Scottsdale of today. The little farming community has grown up into an upsazle resort area, complete with the finest hotels, spas, restaurants and shopping galore. With 200,000 population and growing daily it would be hard for old Winfield Scott to find his way.
Since World War II Scottsdale has been growing, from the fighter pilots that trained at Scottsdale Airfield and came back after the war with their wives and families. The McCormicks came in 1947 and bought the land that comprises McComick Ranch. 1956 brought Motorola to southern Scottsdale. Both of these contributed to the growth of Scottsdale. Certainly when McCormick Ranch opened it's doors to corporate groups, it didn't take long for the word to spread.
Learn more about SCOTTSDALE , AZ
City of SCOTTSDALE , AZ official website
County of MARICOPA, AZ official website
City of SCOTTSDALE , AZ general information
City of SCOTTSDALE , AZ chamber of commerce
City of SCOTTSDALE , AZ yellow pages
City of SCOTTSDALE , AZ newspaper