The Hohokam initially lived in this area and built canals to support their agriculture. Fort McDowell was established on the upper Salt River in 1865 allowing the safe establishment of communities further down the Salt River. Tempe was an amalgamation of two settlements 'Hayden's Ferry' and 'San Pablo' located west and east of Hayden Butte, respectively. The two settlements benefited from the Tempe Irrigating Canal Company which provided the water for alfalfa, wheat, barley, oats and cotton. In 1885, Arizona Territorial Legislature chose Tempe for the site of the Territorial Normal School, which became Arizona Normal School, Arizona State Teachers College, Arizona State College and finally Arizona State University The Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad, built in 1887, crossed the Salt River at Tempe, linking the town to the nation's growing transportation system. The Tempe Land and Improvement Company was formed to sell lots in the booming town. Tempe became one of the most important business and shipping centers for the surrounding agricultural area. The completion of Roosevelt Dam in 1911 guaranteed enough water to meet the growing needs of Valley farmers from the early 20th century to the present. On his way to dedicate the dam, former President Theodore Roosevelt applauded the accomplishments of the people of central Arizona and predicted that their towns would grow to become prosperous cities. Less than a year later, Arizona became the 48th state, and the Salt River Valley was well on its way to becoming the new population center of the Southwest. Tempe has had 27 mayors since 1894. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempe%2C_Arizona