City history
Tracing the development of Glendale, Arizona, from its 19th-century agricultural roots to its unique status in the American timezone landscape.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"A valley of glens"
Glendale is the earliest documented name for this site; no specific indigenous name for this exact location was reliably recorded in historical documents.
A valley of glens
Named by founder William J. Murphy to reflect the lush, fertile potential of the agricultural land in the Salt River Valley.
Chapter two
Arizona voters approved a move to stop observing Daylight Saving Time, meaning Glendale stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round.
The adoption of standard time zones helped organize the burgeoning agricultural and rail activities in the Salt River Valley region.
Chapter three
William J. Murphy established the townsite to support the expansion of irrigation-based farming in the area.
Glendale was officially incorporated as a city, establishing formal local governance and municipal structure.
Following World War II, Glendale experienced significant residential growth, transitioning from a rural town to a suburban city.