The very first of Arizona's newcomers built quickly and efficiently. They established for themselves a virtual oasis within a vast and seemingly endless desert. They were farmers and craftsmen. Engineers created apartments, single family homes, and an amazing network of irrigation canals that can still be seen today. Their crops were plentiful and their lives fruitful and fulfilling.

These first settlers were the Hohokam Indians. Although they settled in the desert hundreds of years ago, they were an advanced and forward thinking society. They held festivals and special ceremonies to celebrate and mourn. The Hohokam were also acknowledged for their love of sport. They are known for having the first basketball style games and would host neighboring teams for competitions. It is fitting that Phoenix is known as a great basketball town today.

It is through the great Hohokams' engineering of the canals and irrigation systems that the modern desert thrives. Centuries of hard work continue to benefit our new civilization. The irrigation system that was newly created with the development of metropolis Phoenix closely mimics that of the irrigation system that was developed by the Hohokam.

Phoenix abounds in employment, education, and cultural opportunities that overflow into its surrounding neighbors. All of these comprise what is known as the

"Valley of the Sun".

The Phoenix of mythology was said to have lived 500 years, then made a nest of spices, sang a melodious dirge, flapped his wings to set fire to the pile, burned itself to ashes, and came forth with new life. A more fitting name could never be found for our oasis in the desert. Re-born from a now past civilization to become great once more!