Topic: Arizona History

The Pima Indians and Maricopa Indians occupy a reservation on the Gila river, about two hundred miles east of Arizona City, and number about four thousand. They have occupied this locality as far back as we have any written knowledge of them. Many years ago, they cultivated fields, also in other localities, though not far distant from the reservation, but the continued raids made upon them by the Apaches compelled them for self-protection to draw their settlements close together. They live in round huts, made by placing poles ten to twelve feet long in a circle of ten or twelve … Read more

Nearly every variety of wood and plant that grows in other portions of the United Slates is found in Arizona, and some that cannot be found except along this southern belt of country. Many varieties of the cacti species are found. The most noted is the Suwarrow, which grows to the height of thirty to fifty feet, and from ten to twelve inches in thickness; the main trunk is straight, and has numerous branches or prongs that grow from the main trunk in all manner of curious shapes. Blossoms spring from the top of the main trunk in Spring, and … Read more

These Indians occupy a section of country about seventy miles south from the Pima reservation, near the Sonora line, and in fact their settlements extend some distance into Sonora. They speak the same language as the Pimas, but have mostly embraced the Catholic religion, and are much further advanced in civilization. They live by cultivating the soil and raising stock. They are peaceable, well-disposed, and have never asked nor received hut little assistance from the Government. They are at peace with all the world except the Apaches, but toward them their hate is intense. They are docile and kind in … Read more

The following passages were transcribed from Resources Of Arizona Territory and provided here for their historical significance. While providing an historical view of the Indians in Arizona at the time, they also imply some negative stereotypes reflecting the culture of some of the Native American tribes. We provide these here as part of an historical record, and should not be interpreted to mean that we in any way endorse the stereotypes implied. Arizona Ancient Ruins Arizona Indian Tribes Apache Indians Maricopa Indians Mohave Indians Papagoes Indians Pima Indians Yuma Indians

Mails was carried three times a week through this Territory from San Diego, California, to Mesilla, in New Mexico, via Arizona City, Maricopa Wells, Sacaton, Sanford, Florence, Tucson and Camp Bowie, and there are post-offices at each of the points named. The mails are carried with regularity on this route, except when interrupted by Indians. Three mails have been taken the present year east of Tucson and one west. From Tucson to San Diego there is a very comfortable stage line. The time required to make the trip is six days, and the fare is ninety dollars. From Tucson to … Read more

This Territory is covered with ruins, which prove conclusively it was once densely populated by a people far in advance, in point of civilization, to most of the Indian tribes. There is no written record of them, and it is only a matter of conjecture who and what they were. Occasionally a deserted house is found sufficiently well preserved to ascertain the character of the architecture. The wall’s of the Casa Grande, situated on the Gila, near Sanford, are still two stories above the ground. In size, the structure is about 30 by 60 feet; the walls are thick and … Read more

These Indians are divided into small bands, and are governed by petty chiefs or captains. The main divisions of the Apaches are named the Coyoteros, Pinals, Tontos, Apaches, Mohaves, and what is known as Cochise’s tribe. Each of these tribes or hands has more or less divisions, and are governed as said before, by the petty chiefs or captains of such hand. They have no common head, and when the chief of one of these bands is not acceptable to his people he is removed and another chosen in his stead. In this respect they are republican. They have lived … Read more

Delegate in Congress, R. C. McCormick. Governor, A. P. K. Safford. Territorial Secretary, Coles Bashford. Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Herman Bendell. Chief Justice, John Titus. Associate Justices, Isham Reavis, C. A. Tweed. United States Attorney, C. W. C. Rowell. United States Marshal, I. Q. Dickason. United States Surveyor-General, John Wasson. Register of the Land Office Eastman. Receiver, George Lount. United States Collector of Internal Revenue, Thomas Cordis. United States Assessor, H. A. Biglow. United States Special Mail Agent, I. N. Dawley. United States Depository, C. H. Lord. United States Deputy Collector of Customs, James E. Baker, at Tucson.