AZ: The History of Arizona podcast

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Episode 167: Statehood Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

On February 14 - Valentine’s Day - 1912, Arizona finally became a state. Before that could happen though, all obstacles had to be cleared and all objections overcome. But, finally, all that was left to do was celebrate a hard-earned prize.

Episode 166: A Constitution to Suit the Most Radical Feb 05, 2024

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Its leader was disparaged as a radical, its makeup was overwhelmingly left-leaning, and the document it produced drew the ire of Congress and the president, not to mention the scorn of several men involved with it. Yep, Arizona’s constitution convention in the fall of 1910 certainly was historic.

Episode 165: What Kind of Constitution Do You Want? Jan 29, 2024

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In 1910, an enabling act allowing for Arizona and New Mexico to write state constitutions finally passed through Congress and was signed by President Taft. However difficult that process had been, people in Arizona now had much harder questions they had to answer.

Episode 164: Roosevelt Dam Jan 22, 2024

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It was four years late, some $7 million over budget, and the road to get there was a nightmare, but the construction of the Roosevelt Dam ushered in a new age for the Valley of the Sun. Good thing they got a suitable figure to dedicate it.

Episode 163: The Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association Jan 15, 2024

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To get their dam on the Salt River, water users in the Valley of the Sun had to sort out their own squabbles and create an organization that would guide the future of water distribution.

Episode 162: The National Reclamation Act of 1902 Jan 08, 2024

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At the turn of the 20th century, Congress finally got behind the idea of funding reclamation projects. By that time, everyone in Phoenix knew of the perfect spot for the government to build a dam.

Episode 161: A Heritage of Conflict and Litigation Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

At the close of the 19th century, the Akimel O’odham and the Maricopa were in dire straights, victims of water theft upstream. But, at the same time, a new idea was starting to gain popularity - reclamation.

Episode 160: Old Man River Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

At the dawn of the 19th century, the Akimel O’odham had it all - a reliable water source, rich farmland, a thriving trade empire, and good relations with everyone passing through Arizona. Little did they suspect that it would all disappear in 70 years, just like the river they were named after.

Episode 159: Asinine Wisdom Nov 20, 2023

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As the 1900s dawned, Arizona felt it was ready to become a full-fledged state. What followed was an 11-year campaign to convince the rest of the country. But the first part of that was the territory fighting to defeat an idea that, for most, was even worse than not becoming a state.

Episode 158: Carlisle of the West Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

In 1893, the Phoenix Indian School set up its outing system, directly inspired by Pratt’s program at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Phoenix system was destined to become the second largest in the nation, but from the beginning it was a very different animal than Pratt’s.

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