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.