Glendale, Arizona has a rich history shaped by agriculture, early settlement, and a transition into a bustling suburb of Phoenix. From its beginnings as farmland in the desert to its role today as a major metropolitan city with vibrant neighborhoods and sports venues, Glendale’s development reflects the broader history of the American West.

Early History and Settlement

• Indigenous Inhabitants: Before European settlers, the Hohokam people occupied the area for centuries, constructing extensive irrigation canals and thriving in the harsh desert environment. Although the Hohokam left the region around 1450, their ancient canals would later be revitalized by settlers, aiding the growth of agriculture in Glendale.

• The Desert Land Act and Arizona Canal: In 1877, the U.S. government passed the Desert Land Act, encouraging settlement in the Arizona desert by offering land to settlers who could irrigate it. In the 1880s, the construction of the Arizona Canal made it possible for new settlers to bring water to Glendale and surrounding areas. This canal was funded by William J. Murphy, a contractor who played a critical role in building the Grand Canal in Phoenix and later invested in Glendale’s growth. Murphy and other investors founded the Arizona Improvement Company, and they began promoting Glendale as prime agricultural land.

• Santa Fe Railroad: In 1895, Murphy convinced the Santa Fe, Prescott, and Phoenix Railway to lay tracks through Glendale. This development turned Glendale into a transport hub, allowing farmers to ship goods like alfalfa, fruit, and cotton to markets, and solidified Glendale’s early role as an agricultural center.