Jack Swilling - Reviving Ancient Canals

Jack Swilling

NARA

In the mid-1800s, pioneers in Arizona individually and informally collaborated to restore the ancient Hohokam canals. One significant early effort occurred in the 1860s during an Arizona gold rush.  Jack Swilling, a former Confederate soldier and early settler, recognized the potential of the Hohokam irrigation canals in the Salt River Valley. He wanted to sell crops to miners at Wickenburg and the U.S. Cavalry stationed at Fort McDowell

Swilling organized a small group of settlers in 1867 to clear and repair some of the old Hohokam canals to irrigate their fields. This initiative led to the creation of the Swilling Irrigation and Canal Company, which successfully restored sections of the ancient canal system. His work, which was originally known as “Swilling’s Ditch” enabled the cultivation of crops such as barley, wheat, and vegetables, laying the foundation for the agricultural development of the Phoenix area. 

-Val

 

"Desert Ships": How Camels Helped the U.S. Army and Arizona Mining

Camel

Library of Congress LC-DIG-hec-29929

Camels were used in Arizona during the mid-19th century as part of an experimental initiative by the U.S. Army. This initiative, known as the U.S. 'Camel Corps', was established in the 1850s to test the viability of using camels for transportation and supply routes in the arid regions of the American Southwest, including Arizona.

The experiment began in 1856 when the U.S. government imported camels from the Middle East and North Africa. The camels proved to be well-suited for the harsh desert conditions, demonstrating their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without needing much water. Despite their effectiveness, the outbreak of the Civil War and other logistical challenges led to the discontinuation of the Camel Corps by the late 1860s.

After the military disbanded the Camel Corps, many of the camels were sold to private owners, including those in the mining industry. Miners and prospectors found camels useful for hauling equipment and supplies across the rugged desert terrain of Arizona and nearby areas. However, as the use of railroads and other forms of transportation expanded, the reliance on camels gradually diminished. Some camels were released into the wild, and there were occasional sightings of feral camels in the southwestern United States for many years afterward.

-Val