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Tempe, Arizona

Following the establishment of Fort McDowell on the eastern edge of central Arizona’s Salt River Valley in 1865, enterprising farmers moved into the area. They dug out the irrigation canals left by the prehistoric Hohokam people and built new ones to carry Salt River water to their fields. Valley farms soon supplied food to Arizona’s military posts and mining towns.

The first settlers to move to the Tempe area, south of the Salt River and east of Phoenix, were Hispanic families from southern Arizona. They helped construct the first two irrigation canals, the Kirkland-McKinney Ditch and the San Francisco Canal, and started small farms to the east and west of a large butte (Tempe Butte). In 1872, some of these Mexican settlers founded a town called San Pablo east of Tempe Butte.

Tempe is well known nationally as the home of the Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona Cardinals. It is the seventh largest city in Arizona, with a strong modern economy based on commerce, tourism, and electronics manufacturing.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

ASU Planetarium

Evening shows are offered Tuesday and Thursday nights from Sept.-Nov. and Feb.-April. Shows begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately 30 to 50 minutes. Weather permitting; viewing though ASU telescopes follows each show. Reservations are required for all evening shows.

Tempe, AZ Planetariums

Arizona Historical Foundation (ASU)

Political papers, business records of the Goldwater family and other prominent Arizona individuals/

Tempe, AZ Museums

R.S. Dietz Museum of Geology (ASU)

Physical Sciences Complex, Wing F Minerals, gems, dinosaurs and other fossils; the only active seismograph in central Arizona and a 6

Tempe, AZ Museums

Ken McDonald Golf Course

Municipal 18-hole championship golf course, lighted driving range, fully equipped golf pro shop and Pete's 19th Hole Restaurant. Golf instruction available;

Tempe, AZ Golf Courses

Rio Salado Golf Club

Regulation nine-hole course, driving range, fully equipped pro shop, golf instruction, golf leagues and restaurant.

Tempe, AZ Golf Courses

Things to do near Tempe, AZ

Arizona Cardinals

Feel the power of NFL football! Join the Arizona Cardinals from August through January and be a part of the excitement. Call ...

Cypress Golf Course -Short Nine

Course Access: PublicHoles: 9Reserve Advance Tee Times: 3 days...

Cerreta Candy Company

A popular Glendale attraction is the Cerreta Candy Company. The owners delight in giving 30-minute tours Monday through Thurs...

Palmbrook Country Club

Course Access: PrivateHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 7 days...