Arizona Becomes a State

Arizona State Flag

An Important Message

When President Abraham Lincoln made Arizona territory there were not many people living in Arizona. In time, Arizona territory grew. On February 14, 1812, an important telegram arrived all the way from Washington, D.C. President William Howard Taft had made Arizona a state.

View picture of President signing Arizona's Statehood

What had helped Arizona grow so much? Why was it easier for people to come to the west? Things had changed. Arizona had a good railroad system. About 1,800 Arizonans owned automobiles. Airplanes were beginning to fly over the state. These improvements in transportation and communication helped Arizona grow.

The State's First Governor

Shortly after he heard Arizona was a state, George W. P. Hunt walked to the capital in Phoenix. Hunt had helped run Arizona Territory. Now he would be the state's first governor.

Hunt had arrived in Arizona as a poor young man. In time, he became a rich banker. As governor, he remembered his hard times, and he fought for better working conditions for people. He served a total of twenty years as governor of Arizona.

Learn more about Arizona's First Governor

Return to Chapter 8 Return to Top