Early Old Phoenix Cemetery Monuments - Who Were They?

City Loosley Cemetery Looking East - PCA Archives

When settlers first arrived in the Salt River Valley in the 1860s and early 1870s, the area was still very much a frontier. In the early years, there were no formal cemeteries, no mapped burial grounds, and very little infrastructure beyond irrigation ditches and adobe homes. When someone died, they were often buried quickly in small, informal family plots, ranch sites, or near settlements along the canals and river. Graves might be marked with simple wooden crosses, piles of stones, or homemade markers, if marked at all.

These early burials reflected both the urgency and isolation of pioneer life. Disease, accidents, violence, and childbirth took lives unexpectedly, and there was no central burial ground to bring the community together in mourning. As the settlement that would become Phoenix began to grow with the construction of canals and a platted townsite, it became clear that the community needed a formal cemetery where loved ones could be laid to rest with respect and where families could visit and remember them.

By the early 1870s, town leaders recognized this need and selected land on what was then the southwestern edge of Phoenix, bounded by Seventh and Fifth Avenues and Jackson and Madison Streets.   By today's standards, it was rudimentary, as burials were not always mapped or marked, and records were sparse.  However, this first city cemetery provided a designated space for burials and included early pioneers of Phoenix.

Curious about who these early burials were, and how they were carefully moved to their new resting place (otherwise known as the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park)? Stay tuned for the next part of our story!

Engineering Marvels of the Desert: The Hohokam Canals of Arizona

Old Crosscut Canal

Library of Congress

Did you ever wonder how the canals originated in Arizona, especially the Phoenix area?  How were the Phoenix pioneers able to grow their crops in such a hot, dry area?

The Hohokam Native Americans, a prehistoric culture that flourished in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, are renowned for their sophisticated canal systems. Between 600 and 1450 AD, the Hohokam engineered an extensive network of irrigation canals, which is considered one of the most advanced in pre-Columbian North America. These canals spanned over 500 miles, diverting water from the Salt and Gila rivers to arid lands, enabling the cultivation of crops such as corn, beans, squash, and cotton. The Hohokam's innovative irrigation techniques transformed the harsh desert environment into a fertile agricultural landscape, supporting large, thriving communities.

When American pioneers arrived in Arizona in the late 19th century, they recognized the value of the ancient Hohokam canals. These early settlers refurbished and expanded the existing infrastructure to support their agricultural endeavors. 

The legacy of the Hohokam's engineering prowess thus played a crucial role in the development of Arizona's agricultural industry, demonstrating the enduring impact of their innovations on the region's history and economy.

 More on this to come!  Stay tuned for stories of "The Swilling Ditch"!

-Val

Veins of Progress: 19th Century Mining

Mile Underground - The Wilson Mine, AZ 1903

Library of Congress

Mining in the 1800s was marked by rapid growth and dramatic changes, profoundly impacting societies and economies around the world. Here are some interesting facts about mining during this period.

• The 1800s saw several gold rushes that shaped entire regions and nations. The California Gold Rush (1848-1855) drew hundreds of thousands to the American West. Similarly, the Australian Gold Rushes started in 1851, and later, the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896 prompted a massive influx of prospectors to the Yukon in Northwestern Canada.

• Alongside gold, silver was a major driver of mining activity. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada in 1859, one of the richest silver mines in America, prompted a "silver rush" similar to the gold rushes of the era.

• The introduction of dynamite by Alfred Nobel in 1867 revolutionized rock blasting, greatly increasing the efficiency and scale of mining operations. The development of the steam engine also facilitated deeper mining through more effective pumping systems to remove water.

• The demand for coal soared during the 19th century, driven by its critical role as a fuel for steam engines in factories, railways, and ships. This led to the expansion of coal mining across Europe and America, with Britain, in particular, becoming a major coal producer.

• The 1800s were also a time when the environmental impact of mining began to be significantly felt. Large-scale deforestation, water pollution, and landscape alteration were common side effects of mining during this period, although environmental concerns were rarely addressed at the time.

• The harsh and dangerous conditions in mines led to the early formation of labor unions and strikes. Miners were among the first groups to organize themselves to improve their working conditions, leading to better safety regulations and labor laws in the later years.

These facets of mining in the 1800s illustrate not only the industry's evolution but also its ability to transform societies and landscapes wherever it took hold.

 -Val