WebIt contains the major nightlife for the area and is a major art center of metro Phoenix. This list may not reflect recent changes . The Phoenix Suns were the first major sports team in Phoenix, being granted a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise in 1968. [192] Several smaller theaters including Trunk Space, the Mesa Arts Center, the Crescent Ballroom, Celebrity Theatre, and Modified Arts support regular independent musical and theater performances. For example, Scottsdale Road, being the 7200 block east, lies nine miles (14km) to the east of Central Avenue (72 / 8). Music can also be seen in some of the venues usually reserved for sports, such as the Wells Fargo Arena and State Farm Stadium.[193]. Arizona is home to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear-generating facility in the United States. South Mountain separates the community of Ahwatukee from the rest of the city. Every year in the hot parts of the state, people attempt to cook food in cars or on the street. [229] The hamburger stand opened in 1953 on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Indian School Road, on the growing north side of Phoenix, and was the first location to sport the now internationally known golden arches, which were initially twice the height of the building. Although the urban village is part of Phoenix, the town is independent. WebPhoenix is the cultural center of the state of Arizona. [289] Max Dunlap was convicted of first-degree murder in the case. "[203], Phoenix is the home of a unique architectural tradition and community. In the 1970s the downtown area experienced a resurgence, with a level of construction activity not seen again until the urban real estate boom of the 2000s. In Phoenix, we give a hearty handshake. Notable institutions include: Barrow Neurological Institute, the world's largest neurological disease treatment and research institution;[311] Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university initially founded in 1949 as a non-profit school,[312] it now operates as a for-profit institution;[313] the University of Phoenix is based out of the city. [22], Phoenix is in the south-central portion of Arizona; about halfway between Tucson to the southeast and Flagstaff to the north, in the southwestern United States. On June 1, 2023, the State of Arizona announced the historic decision to halt new housing development in the Phoenix metropolitan area that relies solely on groundwater, due to a predicted water shortfall to support continued unregulated growth. The humorist Will Rogers, who was on hand as a guest speaker joked, "If that was my lake, I'd mow it. At night, the illumination changes color gradually through the seasons. [88] As a consequence Phoenix became a textbook case of urban sprawl for geographers. [352], St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is part of Dignity Health (formerly Catholic Healthcare West), one of the largest healthcare systems in the western United States. However, as the largest city and the state capital, it does have the largest collection of museums, galleries, writers collectives, and music scenes in the state. [215] Right next to the zoo, the Phoenix Botanical Gardens were opened in 1939, and are acclaimed worldwide for their art and flora exhibits and educational programs, featuring the largest collection of arid plants in the U.S.[216][217][218] South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the U.S., is also the highest desert mountain preserve in the world. [44] The arrival of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway in 1895 connected Phoenix to Prescott, Flagstaff, and other communities in the northern part of the territory. [272][273] Today, Phoenix represents the largest municipal government of this type in the country. [65] In 1965, the Phoenix Corporate Center opened; at the time it was the tallest building in Arizona, topping off at 341 feet. [a] The all-time lowest recorded temperature in Phoenix was 16F (9C) on January 7, 1913, while the coldest daily high temperature ever recorded was 36F (2C) on December 10, 1898. [351] It is the first and largest integrated not-for-profit medical group practice in the world; Mayo Clinic has been near or at the top of the U.S. News & World Report List of "Best Hospitals" for more than 20 years. Petrified Forest National Park: natural bridge. He went on to say energy use would also rise early in the day "because there would be more lights on in the early morning." There are six lakes within a 75-minute drive of downtown Phoenix. This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties, Since Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) opened, the earliest and latest freezes recorded there are November 3, 1946, and April 4, 1945, respectively. The Board of Supervisors in Yavapai County officially recognized the new town on May 4, 1868, and the first post office was established the following month with Swilling as the postmaster. The longest continuous stretch without a day of frost in Phoenix was nearly eight years, from December 27, 1990, to December 23, 1998. [187] The Arizona Opera company also has intimate performances at its new Arizona Opera Center, which opened in March 2013. [201], The downtown Phoenix art scene has developed in the past decade. View. [19] This growth rate slowed during the Great Recession of 200709, and has rebounded slowly. Websaguaro Petrified Forest National Park: natural bridge Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Tombstone Avondale: Phoenix International Raceway A variety of sports and recreational activities provide entertainment and leisure. As far as urban art centers, Phoenix still has a long way to go to become more appealing to artists. WebViva la Cultura Arizona's Hispanic and Latino Culture Experience Arizona's vibrant Hispanic heritage at historic sites and colorful festivals across the state. "[360], Phoenix has twelve sister cities. Tempe is the historic homeland of the OOdham and Piipaash. With the Cincinnati Reds' move to Goodyear, half of MLB's 30 teams are now included in the Cactus League.[257]. [39], The history of Phoenix begins with Jack Swilling, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War who prospected in the nearby mining town of Wickenburg in the newly formed Arizona Territory. 14 to admit the territories of New Mexico and Arizona as States into the Union, August 15, 1911", "1935 and The Farm Sky Harbor's Early Years and Memories", "1940s in Arizona: Internment camps and high-tech firms", "Development of Metropolitan Phoenix: Historical, Current and Future Trends", "The Phoenix Financial Center a.k.a. due to the recession. We visited several major cultural events and provided coverage and information about the specific culture. Every year in the hot parts of the state, people Another venue is the Orpheum Theatre, home to the Phoenix WebUntil the mid-1800s, Arizona was part of Mexico, and modern-day Phoenix's population reflects its Mexican heritage. In Phoenix, family is important. The city is within one of the world's sunniest regions, with its sunshine duration comparable to the Sahara region. The population is almost equally split between men and women, with men making up 50.2% of city's citizens. The first election for county office was held in 1871 when Tom Barnum was elected the first sheriff. Snowfall was first officially recorded in 1898, and since then, accumulations of 0.1 inches (0.25cm) or greater have occurred only eight times within city limits. The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections operates the Adobe Mountain and Black Canyon Schools in Phoenix. [189] Ballet Arizona, in addition to the Symphony Hall, also has performances at the Orpheum Theatre and the Dorrance Theater. [136][137], As of 2020, Phoenix was the fifth most populous city in the United States, with the census bureau placing its population at 1,608,139, edging out Philadelphia with a population of 1,567,872. Fire risk is highest in the dry spring and summer months following wet winters, due to the resulting carpet of invasive buffelgrass, weeds, and brush. Starting with promotions back in the 1920s, the industry has grown into one of the top 10 in the city. This was the only culture shock that I experienced when I moved from Minneapolis. Performances at a multitude of theaters, concert halls and cultural centers are constant attractions, while art and history lovers can flock to a diverse group of fascinating museums. [244], The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the nation. [23], The railroad's arrival in the valley in the 1880s was the first of several events that made Phoenix a trade center whose products reached eastern and western markets. Other than the mountains in and around the city, Phoenix's topography is generally flat, which allows the city's main streets to run on a precise grid with wide, open-spaced roadways. [258] It hosts several NASCAR events per season, and the annual Fall NASCAR weekend, which includes events from four different NASCAR classes, is a huge event. Three of the high school districts (Glendale Union, Tempe Union, and Tolleson Union) only partially serve Phoenix. According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 66% of the population of the city identified themselves as Christians,[164][165] while 26% claimed no religious affiliation. In 1962, one local activist testified at a US Commission on Civil Rights of hearing that of 31,000 homes that had recently sprung up in this neighborhood, not a single one had been sold to an African-American. This is Western, and Midwestern, behavior. Act Ones Culture Pass provides access to the arts for students, retirees, and under-resourced families to visit Arizonas arts and cultural treasures. [188] Another venue is the Orpheum Theatre, home to the Phoenix Opera. As the capital of Arizona, Phoenix houses the state legislature,[277] along with numerous state government agencies, many of which are in the State Capitol district immediately west of downtown. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Phoenix was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers and was incorporated as a city in 1881. [172][173] The city averaged a four percent annual growth rate over a 40-year period from the mid-1960s to the mid-2000s. Since 1979, the city of Phoenix has been divided into urban villages, many of which are based upon historically significant neighborhoods and communities that have since been annexed into Phoenix. It operates 23 hospitals as well as specialized facilities. [95] In comparison, Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city, has a density of over 11,000. [259][260] Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird International Raceway) hosts NHRA events in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Jen/Flickr. [342], The street system in Phoenix (and some of its suburbs) is laid out in a grid system, with most roads oriented either northsouth or eastwest, and the zero point of the grid being the intersection of Central Avenue and Washington Street. [212] With nearly 28,000 hotel rooms in over 175 hotels and resorts Phoenix sees over 19 million visitors each year, most of whom are leisure travelers. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 517.9sqmi (1,341km2), of which 516.7sqmi (1,338km2) is land and 1.2sqmi (3.1km2), or 0.2%, is water. [345], In 2011 (the last year for which information is available), Phoenix had a slightly younger population than the country as a whole. [121][126] On average, dew points range from 31F (1C) in April to 58F (14C) in August. Phoenix also has high levels of particulate pollution; although, cities in California lead the nation in this hazard. According to the city-issued village planning handbook, the purpose of the village planning committees is to "work with the city's planning commission to ensure a balance of housing and employment in each village, concentrate development at identified village cores, and to promote the unique character and identity of the villages. WebExperience American Indian Culture in Phoenix. It was converted from Williams Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. The museum is known for its quality of Native mammal species include coyote, javelina, bobcat, mountain lion, desert cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, antelope ground squirrel, mule deer, ringtail, coati, and multiple species of bats, such as the Mexican free-tailed bat and western pipistrelle, that roost in and around the city. Official records for Phoenix kept at downtown August 1895 to September 1953, and at Sky Harbor Int'l since October 1953. WebViva la Cultura Arizona's Hispanic and Latino Culture Experience Arizona's vibrant Hispanic heritage at historic sites and colorful festivals across the state. [23] There were three air force fields in the area: Luke Field, Williams Field, and Falcon Field, as well as two large pilot training camps, Thunderbird Field No. Its about the same as the state average because 70% of Arizona's black population resides [38] The fort established a camp on the south side of the Salt River by 1866, which was the first settlement in the valley after the decline of the Hohokam. The Phoenix City Council recently approved a plan to donate up to 600 unclaimed firearms valued at about $200,000 in the citys possession to the National Police of Ukraine. The Phoenix Symphony Hall is home to the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona. The Stockyards steakhouse dates to 1947, while Monti's La Casa Vieja (Spanish for "The Old House") was in operation as a restaurant since the 1890s, but closed its doors November 17, 2014. [175] By the end of 2015, the employment number in Phoenix had risen to 1.97 million, finally regaining its pre-recession levels,[176] with job growth occurring across the board. *Note: The Cardinals won their two pre-modern era championships while in Chicago. 8. [8] It is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous state capital in the country.[9]. In fact, in a recent study, there is not a single stretch of freeway in Phoenix ranked in the 100 worst freeways for either congestion or unreliability. The culture of Arizona is a mesmerizing smorgasbord of influences from the neighboring states. Some of the museum's signature exhibits include a full Navajo hogan, the Mareen Allen Nichols Collection of 260 pieces of contemporary jewelry, the Barry Goldwater Collection of 437 historic Hopi kachina dolls, and an exhibit on the 19th-century boarding school experiences of Native Americans. [318] The major network television affiliates are KNXV 15 (ABC), KPHO 5 (CBS), KPNX 12 (NBC), KSAZ 10 (Fox), KASW 61 (The CW), KUTP 45 (MyNetworkTV), and KAET 8 (PBS, operated by Arizona State University). The Hohokam lived in the Phoenix Basin along the Gila and Salt Rivers, in southern Arizona along the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Rivers, and north on the Lower Verde River and along the New and Agua Fria Rivers. There are still major additions to routes 101, 202 and 303 underway, as well as several other smaller projects around the valley. Amtrak served Phoenix Union Station until 1996 when the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) proposed abandoning the route between Yuma, Arizona, and Phoenix. WebAround approximately 1,000 BC, the nomadic began to be accompanied by two other types of cultures, commonly called the farmers and the villagers, prompted by the introduction of [167], Phoenix's early economy focused on agriculture and natural resources, especially the "5Cs" of copper, cattle, climate, cotton, and citrus. The metropolitan area is known as the "Valley of the Sun" due to its location in the Salt River Valley. They include the Arizona State Archives Historic Photographs Memory Project,[299] which includes over 90,000 images that focus on the unique history of Arizona as a state and territory, the Arizona Historical Society,[300] the Journal of Arizona History,[301] and numerous museum databases. [26], After the departure of the Hohokam, groups of Akimel O'odham (commonly known as Pima), Tohono O'odham, and Maricopa tribes began to use the area, as well as segments of the Yavapai and Apache. They include the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the world's largest horse show; Matsuri, a celebration of Japanese culture; Pueblo Grande Indian Market, an event highlighting Native American arts and crafts; Grand Menorah Lighting, a December event celebrating Hanukah; ZooLights, a December evening event at the Phoenix Zoo that features millions of lights; the Arizona State Fair, begun in 1884; Scottish Gathering & Highland Games, an event celebrating Scottish heritage; Estrella War, a celebration of medieval life; and the Tohono O'odham Nation Rodeo & Fair, Oldest Indian rodeo in Arizona[221][222][223][224], Phoenix is also renowned for its Mexican food, thanks to its large Hispanic population and its proximity to Mexico. WebThis Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona describes a physical and spiritual journey shared by two friends in adulthood. Phoenix is a rich city, full of life, diversity, and festivities.