On Feb. 14th, 1912, Phoenix became the capital of the 48th state — Arizona would remain the "Baby State" until 1959, when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union. With 11,314 people in the 1910 Census, it was still less populous than Tucson but would soon surpass the Old Pueblo, with growth of nearly 166 percent in this decade.
The new state capital was still fairly isolated. A transcontinental railroad main line wouldn't arrive until 1926. Still, in 1887 a branch from Maricopa had been completed by a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific, although it was plagued by flood wash-outs. The Santa Fe's Peavine branch had arrived from the ATSF main line at Williams via Prescott in 1895. A streetcar network was growing, too.
Phoenix was far from the powerhouse it would become. Arizona's economy was primarily driven by mining, so towns such as Bisbee and Jerome generated spectacular wealth with their copper mines. The same was true of the mining district around Globe. Railroads were also major players. All were controlled by out-of-state interests, a major reason the Progressive-era state constitution established a Corporation Commission to regulate at least rail lines (and later utilities).
But Phoenix was generating its own economic heft thanks to a growing agricultural empire. Theodore Roosevelt Dam was completed on the Salt River the year before statehood, the first of the ambitious Newlands Act reclamation projects.
The Salt River finally had a secure, dependable source of year-round water and farming flourished. Phoenix dominated two (cotton and citrus) of the new state's "four Cs" (the other being copper and cattle — climate would be added later, although people with respiratory illnesses, particularly tuberculosis, began coming to Phoenix).
Few really rich people were found in the city — like the state, it was dependent on Eastern capital. It was heavily Anglo within the city limits and as much a Southern as a Western town. So segregation and discrimination were the rule against minorities, although not as hard core as in the South. As a result, African-Americans migrated to Phoenix, adding to an existing minority population of Latinos.
Let's take a look at the Phoenix that greeted its role as capital of the newest state (click on the photo for a larger image):
Two years after Arizona entered the union, here's a view of Phoenix from First Street and Monroe, looking northeast toward Camelback Mountain.
A sketch proposed for the new state capitol building. It was never built, leaving the center of state government in the 1901 Territorial Capitol building. Arizona had perhaps the most humble capitol building in the nation.
This postcard shows Phoenix City Hall and a gazebo at First Street and Washington.
The Maricopa County Courthouse was located at First Avenue and Washington. The building was modest but the grounds were lushly landscaped.
Phoenix at night a few years after statehood. Donofrio's candy shop sports a handsome neon sign. Automobiles were commonplace.
The Phoenix Fire Department depended mostly on horse power. Here's the station at First Street and Jefferson, site of today's downtown Fry's supermarket.
The (now State) Insane Asylum on the streetcar line at 24th Street and Van Buren was the largest single employer in Phoenix. The jobs were why territorial Phoenix had lobbied to win the asylum rather than the university, which went to Tucson.
Monroe Street looking west across Central Avenue. Central Methodist Church (ME-South) is to the left and the Central School is at the right. Few streets were paved but shade trees were abundant.
This Sanborn insurance map shows China Alley between Second and Third streets in 1915. Railroad tracks are at center and right, with plenty of lots in the original townsite are still unoccupied.
This 1899 map shows how Phoenix had grown out from the original townsite.
The Phoenix Board of Trade building at 104 N. Second Avenue.
At Washington and First Street, a handsome new Korrick's building was completed three years after statehood.
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My book, A Brief History of Phoenix, is available to buy or order at your local independent bookstore, or from Amazon.
Read more Phoenix history in Rogue's Phoenix and Arizona history archive.
Great pictures, thanks! I did not realize that about the asylum vs. the university. Fascinating and short-sighted, one would argue, although it worked out well enough in the end with ASU.
Posted by: Mark in Scottsdale | July 17, 2019 at 05:58 PM
Mark. I dont find that suprising.
Still a lot of that "logic" around.
Posted by: Cal Lash | July 17, 2019 at 08:59 PM
Are those the buildings that Winnie Ruth Judd escaped from? Do they still stand? Isn't the whole complex hidden from view at the street level?
Now, the insane are being sent to a place called "Desert Vista." I bet its architecture isn't as fine as that of the old state hospital!
Posted by: Kevin in Preskitt | July 17, 2019 at 10:42 PM
Yep, Winnie was there. There are two books by different author's about Winnie.
I was there in 62 on Admissions and Maximum Security wards.
Posted by: Cal Lash | July 18, 2019 at 08:19 AM
You need quotes around "escaped" when you talk about Winnie Ruth.
Jana Bommersbach book is rhe best one.
Posted by: Ramjet | July 18, 2019 at 10:32 AM
A major fire hit the asylum in 1911, destroying much of the structure shown. A wing, renamed the Mahoney Building still survives (I believe).
A new hospital was built, and additions made over the decades, notably a mission-style designed by Lescher & Mahoney. The State Hospital also had cottages and smaller adjacent buildings, as well as a graveyard and a farm.
Posted by: Rogue Columnist | July 18, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Interesting in the 1899 map that Roosevelt St. was originally Baltimore / Ash and the current president-named streets south of it were originally state names.
In the block between 7th and 15th Aves and Van Buren and Baltimore (Roosevelt), what does University refer to? Fascinating.
Posted by: C6H8O7 | July 18, 2019 at 04:36 PM
University (or University Park) was originally intended as the site of a Methodist Episcopal university. Considering the Methodists founded such schools as USC, what a loss for central Phoenix.
Posted by: Rogue Columnist | July 18, 2019 at 06:07 PM
Great information. Thanks!
Posted by: Kevin in Preskitt | July 18, 2019 at 08:53 PM
In 62 the old main administration building was up the drive north from the Van Buren entrance. The building existed but was in ruins. The basement was used by patients for partying.
There are lots of stories.
Maximum security was where state prisoners to be executed had to be housed and determined sane enough to understand the state was going to kill them.
The Asylum had houses for psychiatric staff. Two psychiatrists a brother and sister committed suicide in one of the staff residences. Staff was informed they had been living as husband and wife.
And Ramjets right about "escape"
Posted by: Cal Lash | July 18, 2019 at 11:13 PM
My maternal grandparents, John and Nellie Kelly managed the farm at the state hospital during the late 40’s. A tornado came through and tore off the roof of the house, destroyed the barn and killed the cow and the dog with her puppies. My parents lived with them for a while and Winnie Ruth Judd was my babysitter. She was not insane.
My grandfather also buried the dead with the help of inmate “trustees”. I interned there as a psychiatric aide in the 60’s.
My paternal grandfather, Charles Nafziger, was a fire captain at station house #1 in the 20’s. I have a pic of him with the horse drawn fire wagons. I love Phoenix!
Posted by: Marilyn DeNoia | February 15, 2022 at 05:27 PM