George Hirko,Southeast Valley Real Estate

History of Gilbert

George Hirko — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:14:00 GMT

The History of Gilbert

Gilbert started off as a train station. There was a small farming community located on the site of the present day town . In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway was looking for donations of right of way for a rail line between Florence and Phoenix, and a local farmer, William “Bobby” Gilbert, donated land for the tracks and a rail siding. The town that grew up around that siding became known as Gilbert.

The railway originally transported copper and gold mined in the mountains southeast of metro Phoenix into the city.. Once established, the railway then transported cattle and agricultural produce in both directions, and the community began to thrive.The train depot was built in 1905, the road running north-south across the tracks became Gilbert Road, and the actual town of Gilbert was incorporated in 1920.

Agriculture was the mainstay of the young town, and until the late 1920’s, it was known as “the Hay capital of the world”. Many farmers fleeing the dustbowl of the Midwest settled in Gilbert, marveling at the steady supply of water available through our system of canals.

Nowadays, Gilbert has become a mostly residential community; accolades now run to “safest city” and “fastest growing city”.It’s a fine place to call home, with fine amenities and attractions-a long cry from that quiet siding on the run from Florence to Phoenix!

History of Chandler

George Hirko — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:08:00 GMT

The History of Chandler

Chandler was once a quiet farming community. The town is named after Dr. A.J. Chandler, who was the first veterinary surgeon for the territory of Arizona. In 1891, Dr. Chandler bought 80 acres south of Mesa. He studied irrigation engineering, and was instrumental in establishing the canals and irrigation systems in the East Valley.

By 1900, he owned an 18,000 acre ranch, but the Salt River Project charter only allowed each landowner irrigation water for 160 acres. He decided to subdivide his land, and developed a townsite plan. The project became known as Chandler Ranch, and a sales office was set up in 1912. Excursion trains on the newly completed Arizona Eastern Railroad brought in well heeled speculators, who bought parcels.

The town was envisioned to be anchored by a tree-lined central park, with businesses all around it. The very elegant San Marcos Hotel was opened in 1913, on the west side of the park, and other businesses soon began filling in the west and south areas of the park. It was beginning to look like a town.

Chandler developed as an agricultural town, and long staple cotton became a major crop, used in tires during WWI. Another big item was ostrich feathers, used mostly in ladies’ fashion.

Today, these products are no longer as important. Now,hi tech electronics and engineering are the major industries. The city is a great place to live, with lots of entertainment and shopping, and a great lifestyle. Downtown has even been revitalized as a dining and business center, and is rapidly becoming a “go to” destination.

History of Apache Junction

George Hirko — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:57:00 GMT

History of Apache Junction

Apache Junction didn’t really start off as a town; it just sort of began as a settlement along the Apache Trail, which was a major transport route for construction of the Roosevelt Dam. Originally thought to have been carved out by the Salado Indians, who inhabited and farmed the area between roughly 900-1450 AD, the Trail was used to move from winter homes in the lowlands to summer homes in the Superstition Mountains. Later it was used by marauding Apaches and Yavapai to raid Pima villages along the Salt River, hence the name.

The Trail was not wide enough for a transport route up to the site of the new Roosevelt Dam, and it was widened and graded for haulage between 1903 and 1905. Horse-drawn transports and automobiles both used this route.

Apache Junction’s story really begins in 1921; George Hunt, Arizona’s first governor, recommended the construction of a paved highway from Phoenix to the mining town of Globe. The Apache Trail became primarily a tourist stagecoach route, with such attractions as Goldfield (a gold mining town between 1890 and 1915) and the Lost Dutchman’s rumored gold mine. Apache Junction, right at the intersection of the Trail and the new Globe highway, began to grow.It wasn’t rapid, but Apache Junction is now a vibrant part of the metro Phoenix area,and a major tourist and residential area. With the Superstition and Goldfield Mountain ranges as backdrops, the town has one of the most scenic locations imaginable, and will continue to develop as a really nice place to live.

History of Scottsdale

George Hirko — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:41:00 GMT

The History of Scottsdale

After the collapse of the Hohokam civilization around 1400, the area of present day Scottsdale became a Pima village, whose name translated as “rotting hay”; even after European settlement began, some Pima continued living there in their traditional homes well into the 20^th century. In 1888, a U.S. Army chaplain, Capt. Winfield Scott, purchased a 640 acre parcel of desert land east of Phoenix .He and his brother George farmed the land, and soon other families settled near the Scott farm. The small community was originally called Orangedale, but was dubbed Scottsdale in 1894. Citrus, sweet potatoes, peaches, wheat, figs, almonds, and peanuts were some of the main crops at that time.

The development of Scottsdale paralleled the development of the Phoenix area,and soon there was a large influx of visitors; the health benefits and touristic attractions were quickly becoming known throughout the country. The Ingleside Inn opened in 1912 (Indian School and 64^th St), and was considered metro Phoenix’s first resort.

Additional renown was provided when Frank Lloyd Wright set up Taliesin West at the foot of the McDowell Mountains, and significantly influenced the architectural landscape of the Valley of the Sun, with examples such as the Biltmore Hotel, the Gammage Auditorium at ASU, and numerous private residences.

Scottsdale, through adroit marketing and well thought out planning, has developed a reputation as one of the top golf and resort destinations in the country. It also has a thriving business community, and continues to draw people from all over, who want to experience the Scottsdale lifestyle.Whether you come as a visitor, or you live her, Scottsdale always has something for everyone..

History of Tempe

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:37:00 GMT

The History of Tempe

When Fort McDowell was established on the upper Salt River in 1865, it became necessary to procure steady supplies of food and animal feed. Two small encampments were set up by enterprising farmers near Tempe Butte to grow crops; one was Hayden’s Ferry, named for the river crossing service at that location, and the other was San Pablo, slightly east of the Butte, and established by Mexican settlers from southern Arizona.

The ancient Hohokam canals were quickly dug out and expanded to allow for the irrigation of crops. In short order, area farms were feeding the military outposts and mining camps in Arizona. The two settlements grew quickly, and soon became one. The combined community was renamed Tempe in 1879, at the suggestion of Darrell Duppa, a Cambridge educated Englishman who thought the location was reminiscent of the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Mr. Duppa also came up with the name “Phoenix”

In 1885, Tempe was designated as the site of the Territorial Normal School by the legislature; this was a training institution for teachers at Arizona’s schools, and the forerunner of ASU. In 1887, the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad was established, crossing the Salt River at Tempe, and linking the area with the national railway system, thus making the town a major commercial and shipping center for the surrounding areas.

The farms are gone now, but Tempe thrives; home to one of the largest universities in the country, and to many commercial and industrial enterprises, including US Airways. It is a popular tourist destination, and an entertainment center for the metro Phoenix area. It is also the city T.E.A.M. proudly calls “home”.

History of the Phoenix Area-Part IX

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:34:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Part IX

The advent of the automobile had a major impact on the way Phoenix developed. Ever since the introduction of the streetcar system in 1887, real estate development had traditionally taken place mostly in proximity to the railway tracks. In fact, real estate owners and investors mostly financed the expansion of the railway, since it was such a proven value adder to their properties.The arrival of the automobile, however, allowed infill development within the city, away from railway tracks, and development beyond the city limits.

WWI had boosted manufacturing in the Phoenix area, and towns continued to grow during the 20’s and 30’s..Agriculture, cattle ranching, and mining also grew, and the Phoenix area population rose rapidly. Tourism was well established with many visitors coming from all over, but predominantly the Midwest. Once having visited, they often wanted a permanent place to stay.

All of these influences worked to move boundaries outward. The boom in the area did not escape the attention of investors and developers, primarily from California, an area where larger subdivision development was coming into fashion. The developers bought larger tracts, mostly outside city limits, and put in all the utilities and roads, landscaping and parks, and built the homes with a place to park the car! The Midwestern visitors also tended to build homes on the edges of the city, where they could have larger properties.

And then came the Depression…

History of the Phoenix Area-Part VIII

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:31:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Are-Part VIII

Phoenix remained a small farming community until the 1930s, and then tourism began to develop. The warm climate and outdoor environment were a major draw. Resorts and hotels sprang up, and the population grew.

There had been a large expansion of the agricultural sector during WW1. Long staple cotton was needed for the production of tires, balloons, and airplane fabric, and some manufacturers, including Goodyear, moved to Phoenix, thus providing diversification to the local economy.Goodyear established itself at present day Goodyear, yet the original name was “Egypt”, for the type of cotton which was produced.

Because of the weather and plentiful irrigation, citrus flourished, and became the major cash crop after WW1. Hay and alfalfa were also grown in large amounts, allowing the growth of large cattle ranches and meat packing plants, and copper also boomed, cementing Phoenix’s pre-eminent position as agricultural and commercial center of the state.

The 1920’s saw the automobile playing a major role in the city’s development; eventually, it lead to the expansion of the town limits. Traditionally, development had taken place close to the streetcar lines; it was no longer necessary to be that limited. Removing that limitation helped change things in a big way.

History of the Phoenix Area-Part VII

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:27:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area Part VII

As Arizona achieved statehood; the nature of Phoenix also changed. It was no longer just a small farming community, but rather an aspiring metropolis, with a population of just over 29,000 by 1920. In 1920, over 1000 buildings were erected in Phoenix, including the first skyscraper, the Heard Building at 112 N Central, which topped out at 7 stories. It’s still there. Named after Dwight Heard, it was the home of the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette for over 25 years .Dwight Heard was a local businessman, owner of the Arizona Republic from 1921-1929, lover of Native American artifacts and culture , and, of course, founder of the Heard Museum.

As Phoenix continued to grow and mature, it began to develop strengths. 1929 saw the opening of the Arizona Biltmore Resort. With that, Phoenix was clearly on the tourist map, and building a reputation for a healthy and pleasant lifestyle.The Biltmore would host the likes of Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Harpo Marx, and Irving Berlin is said to have written “White Christmas” in his room at the Biltmore. The classy Westward Ho Hotel opened that year, and Los Angeles to Phoenix scheduled air service was begun. Phoenix’s credentials in tourism were becoming firmly established.

History of Phoenix Area-Part VI

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:22:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area- Part VI

In 1902, President Teddy Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act. This Act permitted the building of dams for reclamation purposes on western streams.1903 saw the formation of the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association; its purpose was to manage and oversee the prudent use of the scarce water resources available to the area. It still controls much of the flow of irrigation water today.

The Roosevelt Dam was begun in 1906. It was the largest masonry dam in the world when completed in 1911, and was the first dual purpose dam(water and electric power) built under the National Reclamation Act. The former president himself dedicated the dam. With it came a new era for the farming community, which was now assured a steady supply of water, and power.

In 1912 Arizona became a state, and Phoenix became its capital.The first state legislature was called into session the same year by the first governor, Governor Hunt (Hunt Highway). Shortly thereafter, the voters of the city of Phoenix ratified a new charter, by an overwhelming 2 to 1 majority, which gave the city a “city council, city manager” form of government. This was a very progressive form of government for the time, and still the governing format in use today.

History of Phoenix Area-Part X

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:57:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Part X

The onset of the Depression changed everything.The 1920’s had been boom years, and cotton and copper had been key ingredients to that prosperity. The stock market crashed on October 29, 1929, signaling the start of the Great Depression, and the air figuratively went out of the economy.

Leaders of the city’s business community scrambled to come up with a plan to diversify away from the agricultural and mineral sectors; the focus was on increasing tourism in a big way. This movement had already been underway on a smaller scale, with the San Carlos Hotel opening in 1928, and the Arizona Biltmore in 1929, to attract the well heeled visitors Arizona sought. Dude ranches and resorts opened in the Wickenburg and Tucson areas, selling a taste of the lifestyle of the “Old West”.

Little differentiated the experience of Phoenix from the rest of the country during the Great Depression; unemployment went through the roof, and business and industry dried up. The programs instituted by the Hoover and Roosevelt administrations eventually brought some results, and it can be said that the New Deal helped transition Phoenix from the boom year 20’s to a new prosperity following WWII..

World War II saw military installations spring up throughout the Southwest. Airmen were trained here in large numbers, since our flying weather was so good. Internment camps for prisoners of war were also established in the Phoenix area. All these new people would later contribute to Phoenix’s next growth spurt.

History of Phoenix Area-Part XI

George Hirko — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:51:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Part XI

In 1950, Phoenix had a population of 106,000, and covered an area of just over 17 square miles. Today, it is the 5^th or 6^th largest city in the country, depending on whom you ask. During the war, people started moving to Phoenix, since it offered work, and it was inland, thus safer from enemy aerial attacks. In 1946, Arizona became a “right to work” state, meaning workers could choose whether they wanted to belong to a union or not. This was a big deal, making it easier for people to find work. 1948 saw Motorola set up in Phoenix, the first of many high tech firms to establish a presence.

Manufacturing has become one of the area mainstays, primarily electronics, communications, and aeronautical and defense equipment. Firms such as Intel, Boeing, Honeywell, Microchip, and many others dot the landscape, and provide an enormous boost to the economy. Mining continues to be big business, with over 50% of the country’s copper being produced here. Agriculture is still very important, as are tourism and retirement communities, and real estate development.

Phoenix continues to diversify its economy, knowing it needs its eggs in many baskets. We’ll touch on that next time.

Residential Market Updates to 6.2.10 for the Phoenix Area

George Hirko — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:52:00 GMT

A local title company put together the latest information on residential sales in the Phoenix Area.Click on the link to view:

http://www.eta-az.net/marketing/Residential%20Market%20Update%20with%20graphs%20060110.pdf

Months of Supply by area are as follows:

East Valley 3.9

Northwest Valley 3.6

Paradise Valley 17.5

Luxury $1.0 Million Plus 19.8

Southwest Valley 3.3

Peoria and Glendale 3.7

Camelback Corridor 6.3

Cave Creek 6.9

Awhatukee 4.7

Scottsdale 6.5

Apache Junction 3.6

Fountain Hills 7.8

Buckeye 3.4

THE IMPACT OF BAD CREDIT

George Hirko — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:27:00 GMT

Impact of Bad Credit

While it’s well known that a lower credit score will affect your mortgage rate, and even your ability to obtain a mortgage, it is not always clear what other impacts there are. For example, car buying becomes more expensive; the lower your score, the higher your interest rate. Same holds true for credit cards, for home equity lines of credit and loans, furniture and appliance purchases, and so on.

What is often less known is that bad credit can prevent someone from obtaining a job.The rationale may not be self evident, but it likely has to do with bad credit habits reflecting poorly on your ability to succeed in the workplace. This may not be the case at all, since bad credit can be caused by many things, but it can be used to deny employment.

Insurance is another area where bad credit has a major impact; a low score can affect your home and auto premiums in a big way. The logic seems to be that someone who neglects to pay his bills may also neglect to replace the squeaky brakes, or repair the sodden drywall, and claims will be higher. Numerous studies have shown that people with lower credit scores file more claims, so insurers feel justified in using this as a criterion.

Neglecting your credit can be costly, and the sooner you get it back on track, the sooner you’ll begin saving really big money. If you don’t know your score, find out, and begin fixing those items costing you money. Remember, a $80.00 collection for mobile phone service or fitness club membership can cost you many times that in foregone good interest rates and terms.

Early History of the Phoenix Area Part I

George Hirko — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:45:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Early years

In a desert, there is little more precious than water. The early inhabitants of the area, the

Hohokam , were keenly aware of what an asset they had with the Salt River. At that time,

without dams, the river flowed freely, although flow was heavier in the spring.

The river, a tributary of the Gila River, which starts in New Mexico, and eventually

winds up at the Colorado River near Yuma., benefits from one of the largest watersheds

in the country (watershed is the area from which a river draws its water,collecting snow

and rain which drains to the river).

The Hohokam used the Salt River to supply numerous canals they built to irrigate their

crops,eventually totaling 135 miles of waterway. They grew mostly maize(corn), beans,

squash, cotton, and tobacco. Evidence of this can be seen at the Pueblo Grande Ruins in

downtown Phoenix..Although the Hohokam lived in the Valley of the Sun for 7 centuries,

they disappeared around 1400, possibly because of a lengthy drought. The name “Ho Ho

Kam” means “the people who have gone” in the O’odham language.

The Salt River would be the focal point of modern development in the area, which will be

discussed in the next segment.

History of the Phoenix Area Part V

George Hirko — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:32:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Part V

The city of Phoenix had now been around for just over 20 years.In 1890, the Arizona

Republic was established as a daily paper.1891 marked the greatest flood in the Valley

known to that time; none of the upriver reservoirs had been constructed yet, so nothing

was there to control the flow when large amounts of water entered the Salt and Gila

Rivers.

1893 saw the replacement of horse drawn streetcars by electric ones; these streetcars

were a prominent feature of downtown until 1948. Phoenix was connected to northern

Arizona via the Santa Fe, Prescott, and Phoenix Railroad in 1895;now travelers and

goods had another way to connect to destinations in the East and West. This no doubt

helped to solidify Phoenix’s economic pre-eminence in Arizona. The Phoenix Union

High School was also established in 1895, and enrolled its first class.

In 1897, a group of ladies known as the Friday Club began work on setting up a public

library system, and the Phoenix Library Association was established in 1899, the

forerunner of what we have today. The Phoenix Country Club and Women’s Club were

founded in 1900.

A permanent home for the state Capitol was created when a 10 acre parcel was donated at

the west end of Washington Street. The new Capitol was inaugurated in February

1901.The population had reached just over 5500!

History of the Phoenix Area Part IV

George Hirko — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:26:00 GMT

History of the Phoenix Area-Part IV

In 1878, the National Bank was established, to provide a safe place for money being

earned in the area. The Salt River Valley Herald, which had been established several

years earlier, changed its name to Phoenix Herald in 1880, and became a semi

weekly.This year also saw Phoenix’s first legal hanging. The town now had an ice

factory, and the Holsum Bakery opened its doors in 1881.

In 1881 the Phoenix Charter Bill was passed by the 11th Territorial legislature,to

establish a mayor-town council form of government. Governor John Fremont signed it

into law the same year. That year also saw the creation of the official city seal, with a

phoenix rising in the center.

One of the first electric plants in the West was established in Phoenix in the 1880’s,with

its steam boilers fired by mesquite wood. The coming of the railroad in 1887 was a

major economic event of the time, with the Southern Pacific train arriving for the first

time on July 4th. Goods no longer had to be moved by wagon. Phoenix became a trading

center, with local goods moving easily east and west. 1887 also saw the first two miles of

horse drawn streetcar, on Washington Street. The streetcars would eventually cover the

Phoenix area, going as far as Glendale.

Due to the increased pace of trade, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was established

in 1888. City offices were moved into the new city hall, where the central bus depot

stands today.One year later, in 1889, the territorial government moved from Prescott to

Phoenix, and things really started to happen.

The first Thanksgiving

George Hirko — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:52:00 GMT

When the Pilgrims sat down with the Wampanoag Indians in 1621, the affair lasted for a number of days, and the menu was decidedly different. The Pilgrims had much to be thankful for, and they would likely not have survived their first winter without the help of the Wampanoag.They had arrived in Plymouth only 10 months earlier, and barely had shelter and storage spaces up.

Duck was one of the main courses, as wildfowl was plentiful. Venison was provided by the Wampanoag.Then there was samp, a cornmeal based porridge.Only one written account has survived, and domesticated turkey,mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce are not mentioned, and were probably not on the menu(mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce had not yet been invented).We can, however, assume that they did have seafood(clams, cod, eel, lobster), corn, squash, onions,carrots,pumpkin,radishes, and cabbage(Squanto, a Wampanoag, had taught the Pilgrims how to grow native crops).There would probably have been seal,swan, crane,wild turkey, and eagle, and assorted fruits and nuts. All in all, a very different meal.

The party lasted a week, and the Wampanoag were guest for at least 3 days.The eating took place indoors and out, and sometimes the hosts and guests dined together, sometimes separately. Games were played, and contests were held, such as target shooting. As both cultures celebrated a form of harvest festival, the event was a coming together of very different groups to enjoy good food and good company, and count blessings.

In that sense, not all that much has changed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Phoenix History-The Early Years, Part III

George Hirko — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:21:00 GMT

By 1870, Phoenix had been named. An exact townsite needed to be selected, and the town had to be administered. Thus was the Salt River Valley Town Association formed, and an area 1 mile long and 1/2 mile wide was designated the townsite. It ran from Jackson Street north to Van Buren, and 7th Street to 7th Avenue; the intersection of Washington Street and Central Avenue (originally Center Street ) was considered the center. The townsite is mostly the present day downtown business area.

The territorial legislature created Maricopa County in 1871, by dividing Yavapai County.The first church and store were also established in that year.The first elected sheriff, Tom Barnum ran unopposed, also in 1871; his two opponents had a shootout, which killed one, and lead the other to withdraw his name.

1872 saw the first school, and 1874 the first telegraph line, which was operated by Morris Goldwater from his father's downtown store. By 1875, Phoenix was home to 16 saloons, and 4 dance halls, plus a couple of gambling establishments, mostly along " Whiskey Row" (north side of Washington Street )-not bad, for a town not yet 10 years old!

Phoenix History-The Early Years, Part II

George Hirko — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:11:00 GMT

Phoenix was founded in 1867, when a man named Jack Swilling came to the area from Wickenburg. Swilling, an adventurer, gold prospector, and member of the "Gila Rangers" militia, saw the potential for agriculture in the abandoned Ho Ho Kam irrigation canals in the Salt River Valley.Many people had commented on the canals before, but Jack was the first to do something about it. He had formed the Swilling Irrigating and Canal Company in Wickenburg, and he and a small party of men moved to the valley to create an up to date system of canals. Within a year, the first crops of wheat, barley, and corn appeared, and this small farming community was started. There were mining camps nearby, and Fort McDowell(built in 1865 as an outpost to combat the Apache from the nearby mountains) , but no permanent town existed prior to this.

Crops thrived, trade was established with Fort McDowell and the mining camps, and the town grew; by 1870, there were 235 citizens. It was time to have a name. The names Pumpkinville and Stonewall were proposed, but the assemblage chose Phoenix as the new name. Proposed by a Cambridge educated Englishman named Darrell Duppa, Phoenix was the mythical bird of Egypt which flew into its funeral pyre every millennium, only to reemerge, reinvigorated for another 1000 years..Duppa had originally come to the area with his friend Jack Swilling, and stayed until his death in 1892, naming the towns of Tempe and New River as well.

This was the beginning of one of the major metropolitan areas in the country…

History of the Phoenix area-the early years

George Hirko — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:18:00 GMT

In a desert, there is little more precious than water. The early inhabitants of the area, the Hohokam , were keenly aware of what an asset they had with the Salt River. At that time, without dams, the river flowed freely, although flow was heavier in the spring.

The river, a tributary of the Gila River, which starts in New Mexico, and eventually winds up at the Colorado River near Yuma., benefits from one of the largest watersheds in the country (watershed is the area from which a river draws its water,collecting snow and rain which drains to the river).

The Hohokam used the Salt River to supply numerous canals they built to irrigate their crops,eventually totaling 135 miles of waterway. They grew mostly maize(corn), beans, squash, cotton, and tobacco. Evidence of this can be seen at the Pueblo Grande Ruins in downtown Phoenix..Although the Hohokam lived in the Valley of the Sun for 7 centuries, they disappeared around 1400, possibly because of a lengthy drought. The name “Ho Ho Kam” means “the people who have gone” in the O’odham language.

The Salt River would be the focal point of modern development in the area, which will be discussed in the next segment.