I was asked many times how old is the city I’ve been living in for the last 15 years, but too busy to do a little research, I always answered “Young! Don’t you see? It is modern, with beautiful wide streets, plenty of parking spaces, new-age urban architecture, the latest in landscaping (besides the ancient cactuses)…” Just like the bird born from the ashes. Can you guess the age of a bird?
     Recently our city completed its 125th birthday, but a small colony had formed by 1868, four miles east of the present city and its first name was Swilling’s Mill, then changed to Helling Mill, after which it became Mill City. The Pueblo Grande ruins, which were occupied between 700 A.D. and 1400 A.D., testify of an ancient society. They built the first irrigation system consisting of 135 miles of canals, but these people vanished mysteriously, most likely as a result of a prolong drought. When the settlement had formed (1868), Durrell Duppa suggested the name Phoenix, insomuch as the new town would rise from the ruins of the former civilization.
     As a town Phoenix officially was recognized on May 4, 1868. The rapid influx of pioneers began instantly and demanded in 1870 that a town site be selected. The whole town at that time was worth 550 dollars!
     By 1887 Phoenix had rapidly outgrown its size and original form of government. With a bill, signed by Governor John C. Freemont on February 25, 1887, Phoenix became an incorporated city with a government consisting of a mayor and four council members. On May 3, 1887 the first election was held in the newly incorporated city with a population of approximately 2,500 people.
     By 1930 the town counted over 48,000 people. In 1950 there were 106,000, and ranked Phoenix the 99th largest city in America. Today the population is 1.15 million, making it the seventh in the country.
     While treasuring the past, Phoenix became the ultimate corporate and industrial center of the southwest, while keeping the friendly small town atmosphere, aging graciously as a bird of paradise, 125 years young.

Dafina Karcheva-Orris

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