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Tempe History
Charles Trumbell Hayden moved out west to start his own freight wagon business. He established his business in Tucson. Hayden used his own wagons and supplies to freight necessary items to army posts, mining camps and towns across Arizona . Hayden also provided ferry service across the Salt River. He originally named the area “Hayden’s Ferry.” However, later the town was renamed Tempe. The story goes to tell that upon arriving and standing on the Salt River bank, a visitor was reminded of a place called Valle of Tempe in Greece.
It was in 1869, while Hayden was on a trip from Florence to Prescott that he discovered the area that came to be Tempe. Hayden decided to wait a couple of days before crossing the Salt River because it was running too quickly at the time. During his wait, he hiked up the butte (today it is called Tempe Butte) and noticed the potential of the surrounding area. Soon afterward he filed a homestead of 160 acres near the butte. He also joined in with a group to file claim to receive water from the Salt River for a new business venture called the Hayden Milling and Farm Ditch Company.
In 1858, Hayden was appointed federal judge in Tucson. This appointment did not stop Hayden from opening a store and laying the foundation for the flourmill along the Salt River in 1872. He worked on building a canal along the base of the butte to bring water to the mill for grinding. Then in 1873, he started construction of an adobe style home (which can be seen today, as the La Casa Vieja restaurant) and built a cable operated ferry across the river. Later on, Hayden moved his freighting operation from Tucson up to this area. Eventually, a blacksmith shop, store, orchard and vineyard sprang up. The community was first called Hayden's Ferry.
As time passed, more settlers arrived from Tucson and southern Arizona to help build canals in the area. This group of settlers built a small group of farms to the east and west of Hayden's Ferry. Then in 1872, this group founded the town San Pablo.
When the mill was completed in 1874, the area began to grow again. Hayden persuaded the new community to join him. He offered them needed supplies and animals and by 1879 the two groups joined. The new community's name Tempe took the place of Hayden's Ferry and San Pablo. It is believed that the name Tempe came from Darrell
Duppa. Duppa had looked out on the land and remarked that it resembled the Vale of Tempe in Greece.
Hayden was a strong advocate for education and was influential in getting Tempe chosen to be the site for the Territorial Normal School. In 1886 the normal school opened.
The construction of the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad crossing at the Salt River encouraged more growth. Tempe began to grow by becoming a cattle shipping point, a railroad junction and main agricultural place. By the 1890's there were farms growing dates and citrus. Although, the wheat, barley and oats crops helped the mill continue its business.
When the Roosevelt Dam was finished in 1911, irrigation became easier and the town grew again. In 1929 the normal school became the Arizona State Teachers College. Later in 1945, the school changed its name again, this time to Arizona State College. Finally, in 1958 the school became Arizona State University. This last change occurred after a vote of the people, who overwhelming wanted the college to become a university.
Tempe experienced another growth period, which began again after World War II. This was a time when many men returned to school. Air conditioning and new businesses added to Tempe's population surge. Tempe continues to be a great spot for education, recreation and the enjoyment of history and fun along Historic Mill Avenue.
When most people think of the city of Tempe, they think of Arizona State University. It is hard to imagine that this university began in 1885 on a donated five acre cow pasture. Eventually, the land became the territorial normal (teaching) school. Today, the campus covers an amazing 700 acres and is located in the center of Tempe.
