Glendale, Arizona

In the late 1800s, Glendale was nothing more than an arid and desolate land. William John Murphy from New Hartford, New York, who lived in Flagstaff at that time had been assigned to construct a 40-mile (64 km) Arizona Canal for the Arizona Canal Company, which would stretch between Granite Reef and New River. In 1885, the desert land was blessed with a life-saving canal when Murphy completed it. Although he had requested to be compensated with Arizona Canal Company stock and bonds instead of money, his decision left him in deep debt.

In 1887, Murphy created the Arizona Improvement Company with a mission to acquire and sell land and water rights south of the canal. Murphy had the vision to name this newfound land “Glendale” and set out on an ambitious quest to attract potential settlers by constructing an 18-mile long, 29 km diagonal road – Grand Avenue – that would link Phoenix all the way to Glendale and eventually ending in Peoria. To fund such endeavors, he sourced capital from external investors so that his employees were paid on time in addition to construction costs being taken care of.

Today, Glendale is a bustling city with an abundance of attractions, activities, and culture. It is known for its lively downtown area and vibrant entertainment venues. The city boasts a wide array of restaurants, shopping centers, and sporting arenas and hosts several events throughout the year. Glendale continues to be one of the most sought-after places to live in Arizona. The city has much to offer in terms of education, culture, and recreation. Glendale is a thriving community that continues to grow and thrive every day.

Glendale has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and it is clear that the city has much more to offer. With exciting plans for the future, Glendale will continue to be one of Arizona’s most attractive destinations.