The Florence Valley of the Gila, the Land of Tomorrow
[Florence, AZ]: Florence Chamber of Commerce.
Undated, c. 1925. [16] pp, with many b/w illustrations from photographs. Chipping and short tears to wrappers, old dampstain affecting wrappers and last two leaves, text otherwise clean.
This scarce pamphlet promotes the benefits coming to the Florence Valley (along the Gila River in central Arizona) from the San Carlos Irrigation Project. According to the Historic American Engineering Record, "the San Carlos Irrigation Project is historically significant for creating an integrated irrigation system to serve both Indian and non-Indian lands along the Gila River. Prior to project construction, irrigation of area lands was piecemeal and non-Indian agricultural development above the Gila River Indian Reservation depleted water supplies for native communities. Native communities and people suffered increased water shortages as non-Indian settlements grew along the river above Pima lands during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The passage of the San Carlos Act on June 7, 1924 culminated years of studies and efforts to develop water storage on the Gila River and restore water to Pima Indian communities." While this booklet does note proudly that "Indians and Whites will share equally," its main emphasis, not surprisingly, is on attracting new settlement to Florence, the largest city within the Project's boundaries. Extolling Pinal County as a "storehouse of riches," it describes existing agricultural enterprises and natural resources, a school "as fine as the west offers," and sunshine and pure air with curative powers "known from coast to coast." Land values "will never be so low again," and "the time to buy is NOW!"
Item #2814
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