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John W. Swilling (April 1, 1830 – August 12, 1878) was an early pioneer in the Arizona Territory. He is commonly credited as one of the original founders of the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Swilling also played an important role in the opening of the central Arizona highlands to white settlement.
[42] [43] In later years, other nearby settlements would form and merge to become the city of Tempe, [44] but this community was incorporated after Phoenix. The history of the city begins with Jack Swilling, a Confederate veteran who in November, 1867 on a visit to the Fort's camp was the first to appreciate the agricultural potential of the ...
Jack Swilling was the founder of the Swilling Irrigation and Canal Company, the first modern-era irrigation canals in the Salt River Valley, which started the small farming community of Phoenix. The Swillings moved to the area in 1871 and established a ranch there.
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. As he traveled through the Salt River Valley in 1867, he saw a potential for farming to supply Wickenburg with food. He also noted the eroded mounds of dirt that ...
Eventually, canal building companies, such as the Arizona Canal Company, which was formed in December 1882, were organized and built the current canals in the area. The Joint Head Dam was built in 1884, where Jack Swilling dug his ditch, known as the "Swillings Ditch", and where the Salt River are located.
Among the notable prisoners was Jack Swilling, a.k.a. the "Father of Phoenix", who was accused and incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit. Swilling died in the prison in 1878. [16] Also, among those incarcerated were: [9] [17] Burt Alvord – Cochise County lawman and train robber; Bill Downing – Notorious outlaw and train robber
May 4: Phoenix is officially recognized by the Board of Supervisors of Yavapai County, which at that point contained Phoenix. [8] June 15: First post office established, in the Swilling homestead, with Swilling as postmaster. [9] Swilling has completed almost 3 miles of his canals. [10]
William Augustus Hancock – pioneer, one of the founders of Phoenix, first sheriff of Maricopa County [423] Jack Swilling – commonly credited being the founder of the city of Phoenix, Arizona. [424] Trinidad Swilling – known as "The Mother of Phoenix" was a Phoenix pioneer and the wife of Jack Swilling, the founder of Phoenix. [425] [426]