Arizona History Timeline

1150 ce

Old Oraibi

Old Oraibi is the earliest recorded settlement in Arizona. The inhabitants are known for introducing agriculture and architecture to Arizona (McClory, 2016).

1150 ce

Early Settlers

1539-1821

Spanish Settlement

1539-1821

Spanish Exploration and Settlement

Fray Marcos de Niza first lead the expedition of southern Arizona. In later years, copper, silver, and gold mining attracted more settlers.

In 1810, conflicts arose between the Mexican and Spanish colonists as the Mexicans sought independence from Spain.

In 1821, the Treaty of Cordoba was signed, recognizing Mexican independence (McClory, 2016).

1824

Constitution of Occidente

In 1824, southern Arizona became part of the state of Occidente. During this time, Arizona's first constitution was written. The constitution established the rights of the citizens, formed a three-branch government, and declared Roman Catholicism as the state's official and only religion (McClory, 2016).

1824

1st Constitution

1848

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Later in 1846, the U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico. At the end of the Mexican-American War (1848), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, giving the United States new territories. One of the territories included the northern part of Arizona (McClory, 2016).

1853

The Gadsden Purchase

After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo came the Gadsden Purchase. The Gadsden Purchase expanded the original six boundaries to include the southern portion of Arizona (McClory, 2016). This land expansion also provided land to support the southern transcontinental railroad.

1853

The Gadsden Purchase

1870's

Agriculture

1870's

Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Arizona. Early immigrants settled along the Arizona waters and paved the way for commercial farming. Today, Arizona exports crops, beef, and milk across the United States and seventy additional countries (Arizona Department of Agriculture, 2022).

1905-1911

Roosevelt Dam

The Roosevelt Dam was constructed between 1905-1911 by the Bureau of Reclamation. The dam was essential to help control the flow of the Salt River for irrigation and flood control (The Geological Society of America, 1978). The dam also generates hydroelectric power.

1905-1911

Roosevelt Dam

1910-1911

Arizona Constitution

1910-1911

Arizona Constitution

The Arizona Constitution was drafted and signed by the Constitutional Convention of the Territory of Arizona in 1910; however, it was vetoed by President Taft. The draft was amended, ratified, and finally approved in December 1911 (McClory, 2016).

1912

Arizona Statehood

On February 14, 1912, President Taft proclaimed Arizona the 48th state.

1912

Arizona Statehood

1919

Grand Canyon

1919

Grand Canyon

The Spanish first explored the Grand Canyon in the 1540s.

The Grand Canyon covers more than 270 miles of Arizona's Northern territory and became part of the United States park system in 1919 (Northern Arizona University, 2005).

The canyon welcomes approximately 5 million visitors each year.

1922

Colorado River Compact

The Colorado River Compact recognized the need for water allocation in seven states, including Arizona (lower basin). The Compact allowed each basin (upper & lower) the rights to 7.5 million acre-feet of the Colorado River each year (Utah Department of Natural Resources, n.d.).

Following the Colorado River Compact came the construction of the Hoover Dam, which allocated 2.8 million acre-feet of water per year to Arizona. And later, in 1963, the Arizona v. California Supreme Court adjusted the water each basin could receive (Utah Department of Natural Resources, n.d.).

1922

Colorado River Compact

2018

Amendments

2018

Amendments of the Arizona Constitution

Since the adoption of the Arizona Constitution in 1911, it's been amended over 150 times.

The most recent came in 2018 when voters approved Proposition 125 (pension), Proposition 126 (tax), and Proposition 306 (elections) (Ballotpedia, n.d.).

References

• Arizona Department of Agriculture. (2022). Guide to Arizona agriculture. https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZDA_GuideToAZAg-R5.pdf

• Ballotpedia. (n.d.). Arizona 2018 ballot. https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_2018_ballot_measures

• McClory, T. (2016). Understanding the Arizona Constitution (2nd ed.). University of Arizona Press

• Northern Arizona University, (2005). Grand Canyon National Park Northern Arizona Tourism Study. Arizona Hospitality Research and Resource Center. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/statepubs/id/36570/rec/2

• The Geological Society of America, (1978). Guidebook to the Geology of Central Arizona. University of Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/statepubs/id/29279/rec/6

• Utah Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Colorado River Timeline. https://water.utah.gov/interstate-streams/colorado-river-timeline/

References