Phoenix
An article published in the University of Arizona Monthly in 1921, James C. Goodwin wrote about the naming of Phoenix. The article states that it was named by an English Lord who noted that previous civilizations had been there and died, reminding him of the Arabian tale of the Phoenix bird which was born again from its own ashes. In 1867 Jack Swilling came to the area and visited J.Y.T Smith who had “a hay supply station about four miles from the center of present downtown Phoenix, on the road to Camp McDowell.” Swilling noted the opportunity of utilizing the Salt River for irrigation waters and he established “Swilling Irrigation Canal Company, with Henry Wickenburg and ‘Lord’ Darrell Duppa.” As settlements grew in the area, people of the Salt River Valley were called to select a site for the town and suggestions for names of the town included, Stonewall and Salinas but both were rejected. Duppa noting the area was being built where former civilization and occupation occurred, suggested the name of Phoenix, since the “new city could be expected to rise upon the ashes of an old” like a phoenix which rises from its own ashes. Phoenix became the permanent capital city in 1889.
Article: James C. Goodwin, "How The City of Phoenix Was Given Present Name," U of A Monthly (Tucson), 1921, sec. 2.6.
Additional Citation: Byrd H. Granger, Arizona's Names: X Marks the Place (Tucson, AZ: Falconer Pub., 1983).477.
CountyMaricopa CountyStateArizonaCountryUnited StatesGeographic Coordinates[1] Feature ClassCivil1980 Arizona State Fair October 24-November 9 : operations of rides and shows, rules and regulations