AZ: The History of Arizona podcast

The founding of Phoenix deserves a lot of attention, but we need to put in special mention of Charles Trumball Hayden and his mill in future Tempe and the founding of my hometown, Mesa.

Welcome back to 1870s Phoenix, which was quite simply paradise - at least according to the people promoting it.

In which we learn that the citizens of Arizona really would prefer if their governor actually stayed in the territory.

It’s Halloween, Arizona style! Join me as we talk about the Grand Canyon State’s version of Bigfoot, the supposed machinations of secret society in Tucson, and just a small sampling of some of the state’s more haunting locations.

In the 1870s, silver mining took off in Arizona, for better and for worst. And that means it’s time to introduce the mines that would lead to The Town Too Tough to Die.

Arizona’s third territorial governor had one overarching goal: Taking everyone to school.

Nearly two years after some Apache broke out of San Carlos, they wound up there yet again - minus the ones that had been killed or gone on a revenge-fueled across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Sonora and Chihuahua, that is.

A lot of people suddenly decide that they really didn’t want to be at San Carlos anymore.

It’s finally time to introduce the man, the myth, the legend.

Cochise’s sons try to follow his last words, but events conspired to make that harder than you would think.

In 1874, the San Carlos Reservation would get a new Indian agent, who wanted to bring some fairness and justice to dealings with the Apache. Only problem is, he refused to stop at San Carlos.

As the reservation system starts failing across Arizona, it’s time to bid a final farewell to Cochise.

With Howard’s peace treaty with Cochise now wrapped up, it’s time for “Chief Wolf” to finally bring the hammer down on the remaining Apache and Yavapai resisting American encroachment.

General Howard finally gets the chance to talk peace face-to-face with Cochise, thanks to the help of the chief’s semi-mythical “blood brother,” Tom Jeffords.

Meet President Grant’s second peace commissioner to the Apache: a devoutly pious one-armed Civil War veteran.

One was ready to fight the Indians, one was ready to settle down, and one didn’t really have a clue.

In 1871, a band of Apache decided to (mostly) settle and farm in peace. Unfortunately, it proved to be the right move, but at the wrong time and the wrong place.

Cochise the Great and Terrible shocked everyone by proposing peace - and actually meaning it. If only the U.S. government had just played it cool.

Few stories in all of Arizona history are as tragic as that of the Pennington family.

In which we explore the life, times, and legacies of five prominent Arizonans.

To wrap up the 1860s, we watch as the walls start closing in on Cochise.

Tucson becomes Arizona’s capitol, and it’s finally time to talk about the founding of Phoenix. For that we need to revisit the ex-Confederate who founded it, and introduce the eccentric Englishman who named it.

In 1866, a brutal conflict between American settlers and Amerindians would break out. Believe it or not, this conflict would not involve the Apache. But that didn’t make the short Hualapai War any less bloody.

Political offices change hands, Arizona clashes with other states over territory, and Charles Poston sets out on the path to his grave on top that hill north of Florence.

With the Civil War over, it’s time to see what life on the frontier was really like. Turns out it was full of desperadoes, 19th century racism, Amerindian tribes both friendly and hostile, and even the Spirit of Christmas?

Arizona organizes native companies to take the fight to the Apache … too bad they were unpaid, under-supplied, and only existed for a year. Otherwise, they may have done something about that wily fox, Cochise.

We finally bring the Civil War in Arizona, while also looking at French trouble south of the border and the, uh, exploits of Indian figure King S. Woolsey.

Arizona’s first territorial legislature was busy, tackling issues such as Indian affairs, counties, education, transportation and the thorniest issue of all - divorce.

Due to a family emergency, there will be no new episode for Sunday, March 21, 2021.

The life and times of the lawyer, orator, politician, serial liar and woman-chaser who named Arizona.

Though a soldier’s life in 19th century Arizona was no walk in the park, the Confederates would have been more than happy to take the territory back.

In which we learn the correct way to pronounce “Prescott.”

It’s Arizona’s birthday! And the podcast’s anniversary! So let’s sit down and answer a few questions about both.

The U.S. Army and the Apache could just not get along.

In 1863 General Carleton ordered Kit Carson to bring the hammer down on the Navajo - hard

An episode full of gold-filled water and Goldwaters.

Behind-the-scenes wheelings and dealings, plus lobbying from our old friend, Charles D. Poston, made 1863 the year Arizona became a U.S. territory.

General Carleton finally makes it to New Mexico. But with no Confederates left to fight, he turned his sights toward the other great enemy of the U.S. Army - the Apaches.

What happens when you mix the rough-and-tumble frontier with an uptight, moralizing Army general?

The California Column rides into an unfortified Tucson, while Confederate forces pull back from all of Arizona and New Mexico. But, we do have a parting gift for the retreating rebels - harassment by Cochise and the Apache.

Even as the Confederates celebrated their victories in the Southwest, a force was gathering in California to oppose them. And this would lead to a battle in Arizona at the base of Picacho Peak.

Turns out February 1862 was a banner month for the Confederacy in the Southwest, including the official declaration of their new Territory of Arizona.

In 1861, Arizona found itself between a rebel invasion on one hand and relentless Apache attacks on the other.

The Bascom Affair reaches its bloody conclusion. Turns out that killing your hostages is not good strategy.

In which a kidnapped boy set a young, inexperienced U.S. Army officer on a collision course with the fearsome Cochise. Spoiler - things are not going to go well.

In the first of three episodes about the Bascom Affair we introduce two key players - Cochise and Mangas Coloradas. With one being a well documented hot-head and the other being nicknamed because his sleeves were literally stained with the blood of his enemies, what could go wrong?

In which we finally unmask those great raiding boogeymen of the desert, the Apache.

In the late 1850s the future Arizona only wanted one thing: to become a real U.S. territory

So who is Hi Jolly and why does he have a fancy grave marker in Quartzsite? And what’s with the camel?

Mining brought all sorts to Arizona. But if you read the recollections of businessman Charles Poston, you would have thought they had come to paradise instead.