History of Paradise Valley

The earliest history of Paradise Valley is fascinating. Although this beautiful city has only truly taken shape in last 75 years. The earliest true residents came over 2,000 years ago when the area was inhabited by a large tribes of Native American farmers known as the Hohokam. They were the first settlers to the area locals now fondly referred to as “The Valley”.  The Hohokam's pioneered the use of complex canal networks to irrigate the arid lands of the region. The tribe occupied central Arizona, including the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area, until around 1375 when it is believed erratic climate changes forced them to abandon most of their settlements.
By the early 1800s, European settlers had found their way west and were using the land around Paradise Valley for cattle grazing and farming. In the 1860 tys US troops patrolled the area but growth was still minimal. In an effort to encourage economic development of the arid regions of the Western states, Congress passed the Desert Land Claim Act of 1877. This allowed individuals to apply for up to 640 acres of land to farm and cultivate.

 

History of Paradise Valley, "Paradise is named"

This, in turn, brought three surveyors for the Rio Verde Canal Company out west in 1889 to survey the land in the Paradise Valley area for agricultural opportunities. Struck by the immense beauty of the spring wildflowers growing across the valley, the surveyors dubbed the area “Paradise Valley.” At about this same time in late 1880 ty’s Paradise valley’s neighbor Scottsdale was growing as a farming village was given the name “Scottsdale” in 1894 after its founder, U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott.

 

History Of Paradise Valley -Early housing and Real Estate Going back to the earliest history of Paradise Valley, there was no reliable sources of water other than seasonal rainfall so the land was cheap. Well into the 1920s, development in Paradise Valley consisted mainly of modest adobe homes and what many might consider shacks built on large plots of land. With just a very few stately properties built by wealthy individuals from the 'east' drawn to Paradise Valley by the beauty and idyllic weather. Even after the second World war most homes were small and modest and yet a typical lot size was not less than 5 acres. Larger homes, A few of the predecessors to the grand estates of today i.e early stately Paradise Valley residences and schools were turned into guest lodges beginning in 1930 (such as the Hermosa Lodge, El Chorro Lodge and the Schildman Residence)
 

EARLY PARADISE VALLEY.

It wasn’t until the late 1930s, the modern history of Paradise Valley takes shape. Settlement began in earnest. It was around this time, in 1928, when one of Paradise Valley’s most notable historical buildings (not to mention one of the state of Arizona’s oldest independent college preparatory schools), The Judson School, opened its doors with seven students—all boys. In 1945, Henry Wick, who had taught at the school since 1938, bought it from George Judson and began offering English as a Second Language. These classes brought students from all around the world, representing a total of 30 different countries. Girls were admitted to The Judson School starting in 1956. This historic campus stood until 1999 when the 55 acre property was sold to a home developer. Who then built one of the most prestigious communities in Arizona aptly named Judson Estates. Today, there is still a small structure on the property which stands as a memorial to 72 years of The Judson School’s history.

The history of Paradise Valley evolves richly through 1930ty’s as it was becoming renowned for its stunning beauty, wide open spaces, and beautiful weather.