Scottsdale, Then and Now

In the 1880s, a United States Army Chaplain bought 640 acres that would later become downtown Scottsdale. He, his wife and his brother planted orange groves. Sometimes called Orangedale, it was officially named Scottsdale in 1894.

The city has been known for culture since the early 1900s when an artists and writers culture was encouraged. In the 1930s, architect Frank Lloyd Wright became one of the first Arizona snowbirds. Purchasing 600 acres, his Scottsdale campus helped bring about another surge of artistic activity.

During World War I, area farmers experienced a cotton boom, and the crop is still grown in the area today. The construction of Granite Reef, starting in 1908, and Roosevelt Dam, starting in 1911 contributed to the town’s steady growth until 1933.

In 1951, the newly incorporated town had 2,000 residents. It would quickly grow to 10,000 residents.

The city’s tourism industry is a major employer. The first Scottsdale resort opened in 1909, and the first modern resort opened in 1956. By 2016, the city could boast the most destination spas per capita in the US. Outdoor adventures are also a big draw for tourists.

Today’s major employers include finance and insurance giants, such as Vanguard and Nationwide Insurance. You’ll also find aerospace, represented by General Dynamics.

The Mayo Clinic, Honor Health and CVS Health and McKesson are big employers. The Airpark, adjacent to the general aviation Scottsdale Airport, is home to 50,000 jobs, making it the largest centralized employment area in Phoenix.

Now 31 miles long and 11 miles wide, Scottsdale shares its borders with Phoenix, Tempe, Carefree, Paradise Valley, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The city was home to more than 241,261 people in 2020.

Art, Architecture, History, and Culture

Taliesin West was designed by Frank Llloyd Wright in the 1930s as his winter home and an architectural school. The famous architect’s remarkable achievement has made this Scottsdale landmark into a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In North Scottsdale, the 125-foot spire memorial was designed by Wright.

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates modern art, architecture and design. Architect Will Bruder converted an old movie theater into a unique museum space.

The Museum of the West is a beautiful building with LEED Gold certified indoor and outdoor spaces. Wild West living is brought to life amid art, artifacts, and modern air conditioning. If you want to see live horses, you can visit one of the special events at WestWorld, the Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center.

The distinctive Wonderworks is a different kind of art museum. The exhibits are immersive, interactive and frequently updated by contemporary artists.

At the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, train lovers will find a museum, large model railroad displays, and interesting train artifacts. Adding to the atmosphere and the fun, there’s a 1-mile “little” train ride and a 1950s-vintage Carousel in this 30-acre park.

Baseball and Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is definitely home to some amazing baseball action. Spring training brings the Colorado Rockies to Salt River Fields, along with Arizona’s own MLB Diamondbacks. At Scottsdale Stadium, the San Francisco Giants are in residence. Even better, there are 15 MLB teams in the Cactus League playing for about a month from March into early April.

Wildlife observation, birdwatching and nature hikes are major activities in and around Scottsdale. One place to combine them all is at the nearby Desert Botanical Garden.
For more strenuous hiking, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of many parks that offer a chance to see Arizona’s Sonoran desert wildlife and topography.

To cool off, families head to the McDowell Mountain Ranch Park. The aquatic center has a big pool, a large tube water slide, and a long, lazy river. A 10-acre lake is the focus of water fun at the city’s 100-acre Chaparral Park.

Of course, golfing is a major activity in Scottsdale. There are many golf courses available to the public and even more at luxury resorts.