Page 52 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

50  INTRODUCING THE SOUTHWEST THE HIST OR Y OF THE SOUTHWEST  51

The Demand for Water
As the region’s population expanded, water
supply became a pressing issue, and a
series of enormous, federally funded dams
were built to channel precious water for the
burgeoning population of such cities as
Phoenix. Dam- and road-building projects
aided the region’s economy and attracted
even more settlers.
The Hoover Dam was constructed Patriot missile test at White Sands, New Mexico
between 1931 and 1936, but by the 1960s
even that proved inadequate. Glen Canyon growing cities in the US. The Southwest
A group of cowboys roping a steer, painted by C. M. Russell (1897) Dam was completed in 1963, flooding continues to be a major center for national
forever an area of great beauty. The dam defense research and development, as well
Land Disputes included the Lincoln County War, known created the huge reservoir of Lake Powell, as for research into space travel.
After the Civil War, the US government set for its famous protagonist, Billy the Kid destroying a number of ancient Native ruins.
about clearing more land for settlers. In (see p58). As Anglo ranchers seized land, The issue of water continues to be a serious The Southwest Today
1864, more than 8,000 Navajo people were the New Mexicans’ tradition of communal problem in the Southwest, as the population The Southwest’s economy continues to
forced from their lands and made to march land use was overturned, and many indig­ keeps on rising. Projects to harness water prosper, and its population is still growing,
“The Long Walk” of 400 miles (644 km) east enous farmers lost their livelihoods. from any available source are under debate. augmented by numbers of winter residents
to a reservation at Bosque Redondo in New By the 1880s four major railroads crossed or “snowbirds.” Ever-increasing numbers of
Mexico. Some died en route as a result of the region bringing new Anglo settlers in World War II tourists visit the region’s scenic and historic
the harsh weather, and many more from search of prosperity. They came fully The legacy of the war years changed the wonders, preserved in the area’s national
disease at the reservation. In 1868, the believing in their right to exploit the economic course of the Southwest. New parks. Established in the early 20th century,
Navajo were given 20,000 square miles resources of this new land, and the railroad Mexico’s sparsely populated and remote the parks have encouraged a heightened
(51,800 sq km) of land across Arizona, became a catalyst for new industries in the desert areas provided secret research, awareness of both Native cultures and their
New Mexico, and southern region, such as lumberjacking, development, and testing sites for the first legacies and conservation issues, all of
Utah. The Chiricahua Apache cattle farming, and mineral atomic bomb, starting with Los Alamos and which will help guard the Southwest’s
continued to fight against mining. Luxury goods brought the Manhattan Project from 1943 onwards precious heritage for generations to come.
forced settlement for most of from the East by rail also made (see p190). Military installations such as the
the 19th century until their life a little easier. Titan Missile Base in southern Arizona and
defeat and the surrender of New Mexico and Arizona New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range
their leader, Geronimo, in 1886. were granted statehood in were of national importance during the
In the 1870s, vast areas of the 1912. In the years leading up Cold War period of the 1950s.
Southwest became huge cattle to and following World War I, Military research, computer technology,
and sheep ranches. Battles Arizona, in particular, and other industrial off-shoots led to
between farmers, smallholders, experienced an economic urbanization and a post-war population
and ranchers were common. Engraving showing Billy the Kid boom because of its rich boom. Phoenix and Albuquerque
Frequent “Range Wars” shooting a man in a bar mineral resources. subsequently ranked among the fastest- The Hoover Dam, completed in 1936

1877 Copper found at Geronimo (1829–1909) 1912 New Mexico 1945 First atomic 1958 Joint Use Area 1974 Start of the 1996 Bill Clinton 2011 Spaceport America
Bisbee, Arizona. Silver and Arizona 1931–36 Hoover bomb tested at established in Arizona Central Arizona signs Navajo- constructed near Las
discovered at 1886 Indian Wars become 47th and 1917 The Dam constructed the Trinity site in to settle Hopi and Project to extract Hopi Land Dispute Cruces, New Mexico, to
Tombstone, Arizona end with the surrender 48th states of US enters in Arizona southern New Navajo land disputes water from the Settlement Act be the base for the first
World War I
of Geronimo the Union Mexico Colorado River commercial space flights
1860 1880 1900 1920 19401940 1960 1980 2000 2020
1889 Phoenix 1963 Opening of the 1982 Space Shuttle
1868 Navajo 1878 The 1881 Gunfight becomes the Grand Canyon 1943 Scientists Glen Canyon Dam Columbia lands
Reservation Lincoln County at OK Corral. territorial capital steam train begin the top-secret at White Sands
established in War begins Billy the Kid of Arizona 1901 Grand Canyon Manhattan Project Fat Man Space Harbor Columbia
the Four in Lincoln, shot in New railroad opens, bringing to build an atomic atomic bomb
Corners region New Mexico Mexico tourists to the region bomb at Los Alamos,
New Mexico
Flowering cactus in the Sonoran Desert, Saguaro National Park

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