The etymology of the name ‘Arizona’ invites arguments. Although some scholars believe that etymological root of the name can be traced back to the Spanish phrase ‘arida zona’, meaning ‘dry region’. The original inhabitants of this state are known Sobaipuri. While searching for Cibola, the Spanish explorer Coronado discovered Arizona.

In 1821, the present Arizona became a part of the Mexican state Nueva California. President Lincoln rejected other names such as Gadsonia, Pimeria, Arizuma & Arizonia, & finalized the name ‘Arizona’. The state of Arizona was declared a new territory in Washington D.C. on February 24, 1863. Mesa, Snowflake, Heber & Safford are some of the towns founded by the Mormons, who came to Arizona in the mid-nineteenth century. Arizona went on to become a US state on 12 February 1912.

During the Great Depression cotton farming & copper mining suffered heavily & it was not before the 1920s that the tourism industry of Arizona began to flourish. Several hotels & resorts were opened during this time. Some of them are Arizona Biltmore Hotel in central Phoenix opened in 1929 & the Wigwam resort located in the western side of Phoenix opened in 1936.

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