Scottsdale: History

Irrigation Leads to Thriving Agriculture Industry

Prior to its founding, the Scottsdale area was made up of barren desert lands, distinguished only by the intricate canals of the Hohokam Indians.

Scottsdale was founded in 1888 by U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott, a Baptist minister from New York. That same year the construction of the Arizona Canal, which provided irrigation to a wide geographic area, was completed by Frank Murphy. Winfield Scott and his brother, George Washington Scott, who shared a dream of developing a thriving town in the desert, first grew citrus and other fruits, peanuts, and sweet potatoes on their land.

Air Quality Attracts Settlers, Manufacturers, Artists

Early settlers included people searching for better health and others who were attracted by the fresh desert air. History shows that many of these people were culturally-minded and nurtured the arts from the beginning. The city was first called Orangedale because of the orange orchards along Camelback Mountain, but the name was changed to Scottsdale in 1894 in honor of its founder.

From 1894 through the 1940s Paradise Valley ranchers drove their cattle through the city each spring and fall on their way to the stockyards or the train depot at Tempe where the cattle were shipped to market.

Modern development began after World War II when Motorola opened a plant in Scottsdale, the first of many electronics manufacturing plants to locate in the area. Artists and crafts persons also became attracted to the city, and the population grew from 2,000 people in 1950 to 10,000 people by 1960. By 1965 the city had grown to 55,000 residents. The city was incorporated in 1951 and received its city charter in 1961.

Through the 1960s the city preserved an Old West look of wood buildings and quaintly lettered signs, calling itself "the West's most Western town." As the "Old West" theme became less prominent, the city began billing itself as the "Arts Capital of the Southwest." Galleries shared the avenues with western wear stores, and the magnificent Scottsdale Center for the Arts was built, permitting year-round exhibits and concerts for residents and visitors.

Scottsdale's area was greatly increased by the annexation of territory north of the city in the 1980s. A great part of this area is made up of uninhabited desert and hilly land, much of which is maintained in its natural state. Although manufacturing remains the state's largest employer, tourism is now the city's major industry.

In recent years Scottsdale has spent almost $4 million on the renovation of the downtown area with new landscaping, entrances, signage and public art, making it a most appealing desert oasis.

Historical Information: Scottsdale Historical Society, Inc., PO Box 143, Scottsdale, AZ 85252; telephone (480)946-0394

Scottsdale: Population Profile

Metropolitan Area Residents (CMSA)

1980: 1,509,175

1990: 2,238,480

2000: 3,251,876

Percent change, 1990–2000: 45.3%

U.S. rank in 1980: 26th

U.S. rank in 1990: 20th

U.S. rank in 2000: 14th

City Residents

1980: 88,622

1990: 130,099

2000: 202,705

2003 estimate: 217,989

Percent change, 1990–2000: 55.8%

U.S. rank in 1980: 141st

U.S. rank in 1990: 139th (State rank: 6th)

U.S. rank in 2000: 99th (State rank: 5th)

Density: 1,096 people per square mile (in 2000)

Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000)

White: 186,883

Black or African American: 2,501

American Indian and Alaska Native: 1,240

Asian: 3,964

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 167

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 14,111

Other: 4,603

Percent of residents born in state: 18.3% (2000)

Age characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 10,444

Population 5 to 9 years old: 11,188

Population 10 to 14 years old: 11,256

Population 15 to 19 years old: 9,900

Population 20 to 24 years old: 9,798

Population 25 to 34 years old: 28,973

Population 35 to 44 years old: 32,677

Population 45 to 54 years old: 30,544

Population 55 to 59 years old: 13,215

Population 60 to 64 years old: 10,826

Population 65 to 74 years old: 18,581

Population 75 to 84 years old: 11,734

Population 85 years and older: 3,569

Median age: 41 years

Births (2003)

Total number: 2,795

Deaths (2003)

Total number: 2,088 (of which, 17 were infants under the age of 1 year)

Money income (1999)

Per capita income: $39,158

Median household income: $57,484

Total households: 90,602

Number of households with income of . . .

less than $10,000: 4,762

$10,000 to $14,999: 3,375

$15,000 to $24,999: 8,337

$25,000 to $34,999: 9,355

$35,000 to $49,999: 13,076

$50,000 to $74,999: 17,561

$75,000 to $99,999: 10,594

$100,000 to $149,999: 11,907

$150,000 to $199,999: 4,791

$200,000 or more: 6,844

Percent of families below poverty level: 3.4% (25.2% of which were female householder families with related children under 5 years)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 10,134

Scottsdale: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

The Scottsdale Tribune is the city's daily newspaper, published in the morning. Other newspapers published in Scottsdale are Scottsdale Airpark News, and the weekly Scottsdale Views, a community paper. Scottsdale Times is a free human interest community newspaper with a humorous slant. Magazines published locally are 944 Magazine, American Indian Art Magazine, Document Management, Exhibitor Times, and Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly.

Television and Radio

Although Scottsdale does not have any television or radio stations within its borders, television and radio stations do broadcast in Paradise Valley, and cable is available.

Media Information: Scottsdale Tribune, Cos Arizona Publications, 7525 E. Camelback Rd., PO Box 1150, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-1150, telephone (480)941-2300

Scottsdale Online

Arizona School Report Cards. Available www2.ade.state.az.us/srcs

City of Scottsdale Economic Vitality Department. Available www.scottsdaleaz.gov/departments/deptDetail.asp?deptID=34

City of Scottsdale Home Page. Available www.scottsdaleaz.gov

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Available www.scottsdalechamber.com

Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. Available www.scottsdalecvb.com

Scottsdale Public Library. Available www.library.scotts daleaz.gov

Selected Bibliography

Frondorf, Shirley, Death of a "Jewish American Princess:" The True Story of a Victim on Trial (New York: Villard Books, 1988)

Scottsdale

The City in Brief

Founded: 1888 (incorporated, 1951)

Head Official: Mayor Mary Manross (NP) (since 2004)

City Population

1980: 88,622

1990: 130,099

2000: 202,705

2003 estimate: 217,989

Percent change, 1990–2000: 55.8%

U.S. rank in 1980: 141st

U.S. rank in 1990: 139th

U.S. rank in 2000: 99th (State rank: 5th)

Metropolitan Area Population (CMSA)

1980: 1,509,175

1990: 2,238,480

2000: 3,251,876

Percent change, 1990–2000: 45.3%

U.S. rank in 1980: 26th

U.S. rank in 1990: 20th

U.S. rank in 2000: 14th

Area: 184.5 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 1,250 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 70.3° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 7.05 inches

Major Economic Sectors: Services; trade; finance, insurance and real estate; manufacturing

Unemployment Rate: 4.0% (January 2005)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 10,134

Major Colleges and Universities: Scottsdale Community College

Daily Newspaper: Scottsdale Progress Tribune

Scottsdale: Introduction

Scottsdale is a popular winter vacation mecca in the area of Arizona known as the "Valley of the Sun." A tiny farming community of 2,000 people covering only 1 square mile in 1951, Scottsdale has become a vibrant city of more than 200,000 residents encompassing nearly 200 square miles. Its many golf courses and resorts attract visitors from around the world. Art galleries abound amid the towering palm trees, purple shadowed mountains, and pastel landscapes. The city boasts more than 300 sunny days per year. The lively restaurants, nightclubs, and cultural and sporting events add a metropolitan touch, yet cowboy ranches and Indian reservations are a brief ride away. In addition to its booming tourism industry, Scottsdale has become a diverse high technology center and is becoming recognized as a leader in health care and medical research. It offers a vast array of recreational activities including biking, hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding, and ballooning. The arts are flourishing in the city, which has its own symphony orchestra and more art showcases per capita than almost any other world city.

Scottsdale: Convention Facilities

El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium is a multiuse facility with a 12,000-square-foot ballroom, eight break-out rooms, and a stage that can be used for banquets, seminars, and trade shows. Many hotels and resorts provide meeting space within the city. Among them are the Phoenician Resort, offering 60,000 square feet; the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch, offering 43,000 square feet; Marriott's Camelback Inn Resort; and Marriott's Mountain Shadows Resort. Rawhide Western Town & Desert Cookouts stages banquets. The Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas encompasses more than 16,000 square feet of versatile meeting and conference space. WestWorld is one of the most sought-after equestrian show facilities in the country.

Convention Information: Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, 7343 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251-4253; telephone (480)945-8481 or (800)877-1117

Scottsdale: Transportation

Approaching the City

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, located about 15 miles west of downtown Scottsdale, is served by 23 airlines with direct flights from most cities in the United States and several locations abroad. Scottsdale is served by Greyhound Bus Lines and by the Phoenix Transit System. Interstate-10, and I-17, U.S. 60 and 89, and AZ 87 are near the city.

Traveling in the City

Scottsdale Road is the major north-south thoroughfare through the city. Scottsdale Trolley is a free downtown shuttle for tourists and shoppers in operation from November through May. The Regional Public Transportation Authority operates public transit bus routes throughout Paradise Valley and links to Scottsdale business and residential districts via the wheelchair-accessible "Scottsdale Connection."

Scottsdale: Health Care

Scottsdale offers the services of more than 1,000 doctors and has a full range of medical services available. The largest health care providers are Scottsdale Healthcare and Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Since its inception in 1962 as the City Hospital of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Healthcare has grown to include three campuses, two hospitals, and outpatient centers. Scottsdale Healthcare offers one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the state, as well as outpatient surgery, cardiology and oncology services, a diabetes center, and weight reduction surgery.

Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, a 332-physician group practice, providese health care in 65 medical and surgical specialties and programs. The Mayo Clinic Hospital provides inpatient care as well as emergency rooms and urgent care services.

Scottsdale: Municipal Government

Scottsdale's government consists of a mayor and six city council members elected at large who serve staggered four-year terms. The council appoints a city manager, city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney, and city judge.

Head Official: Mayor Mary Manross (since 2000; current term expires June 2008)

Total Number of City Employees: 1,700 (2005)

City Information: City of Scottsdale, PO Box 1000, Scottsdale, AZ 85252; telephone (480)994-2414