Today, we’re going to discuss the history of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Nothing fancy this time. Today’s blog is all about stats, dates, and facts. We hope you enjoy.
Paradise Valley, Arizona history began in the late 1800s as a grazing area for cattle surrounded by mountains
In the 1880s, the Rio Verde Canal Company turned the area into irrigated farmland and named it Paradise Valley
Settlement in the area did not begin until after World War II, with homes on large parcels of land
The washes in Paradise Valley have always been significant in controlling floodwater in residential neighborhoods
Marvin Folkman addressed flooding in the mid-1940s to build homes on his land north of Doubletree Ranch and west of Scottsdale Rd
In 1949, the Berneil Ditch and Drainage Channel was constructed to carry floodwater away from Scottsdale Road to the Indian Bend Wash
By 1949, the first greenbelt in the Indian Bend Wash was complete
In the late 1950s, Phoenix and Scottsdale were expanding, causing residents to fear loss of their rural lifestyle
A Citizens Committee for Incorporation was formed, and in 1961, Paradise Valley was established as a town
The town had a minimum of one house per acre zoning and a focus on maintaining a residential community
The early Town Council established zoning ordinances and annexed property
The town adopted an Underground Utilities Ordinance in 1964, mandating that all new utility lines be placed underground
The Arizona Canal Diversion Channel (ACDC) was initiated in 1965 to alleviate flooding in low-lying areas throughout the Phoenix area
By 1968, the town’s boundaries were mostly set, with only a few county islands remaining
Fun Fact – The first Town Council met in a guesthouse before renting a building on Malcomb Drive
A Residential Community In Paradise Valley, AZ.
1970s
In 1973, the town adopted Flood Plain Regulations requiring the entire Indian Bend Wash to be developed as a green belt
The ditch was widened and deepened to handle larger amounts of floodwater in 1974
In 1974, the first town-owned sewer line was installed, allowing residents with septic systems to access sewer lines
Also in 1974, the Council decided to build a new Town Hall, designed by architect William Bruder, using accumulated funds
Reach IV of the ACDC was proposed in the mid-1970s to collect floodwater from the Cudia City Wash just east of Phoenix Country Day School
Homeowners protested against the proposed uncovered concrete channel. Town Council researched alternate solutions and agreed to a covered channel
1980s & Beyond
An addition was built to Town Hall in 1980
The Tatum Curve on Tatum Boulevard between Caida del Sol and Mockingbird Lane was improved in 1985
In March 1991, the Council approved a resolution. 90% of the estimated cost of the Reach IV channel cover was obtained
In October 1992, the State of Arizona Heritage Fund granted money to plant natural landscaping over the channel cover to restore wildlife habitat
The Council voted in 1993 to sell bonds to build a new public works building, public safety building, and refurbish the old Town Hall for the Municipal Court
In 1995, the rocks at the Tatum Curve were restored to their natural colors after construction had caused a stain
In 2000, Arizona Public Service agreed to underground utility lines along certain roads in the town
Private schools in Paradise Valley include Desert View Learning Center, Pardes School, and Tesseract
Public schools include Cherokee Elementary and Kiva Elementary
Historical Landmark Tidbits
In 1916, Camelback Cemetery, originally part of Hans and Mary Weaver’s homestead, became an actual cemetery
Burials include victims of the 1918 flu epidemic, Mexican-Catholics, and military veterans. The cemetery has a monument and flagpole dedicated to veterans
Prior to PV’s incorporation, Paoli Soleri built the Cosanti gallery on five acres of land
El Chorro Lodge: Originally the home of the Bell family, it was also the site of the Judson School for Girls in the 1930s
The Gruber family later purchased the property and turned it into El Chorro Lodge, named for the nearby “running stream.”
As of 2023., El Chorro Lodge operates as a restaurant a special events property
Originally known as Windy Gulch or Horseshoe Mountain, town resident Charlie Mieg created the name Mummy Mountain because of its resemblance to a mummy
Established in 1997, the Mummy Mountain Preserve Trust was created to protect and preserve the natural landscape, plants, wildlife, and scenic beauty of PV