Historical Facts 2000 BC Native American introduce agriculture to Arizona. 1200 AD Hopi village of Oraibi is founded. While looking for the mythical Norwest Passage, Spanish conquistador Lopez de Cardenas discovers the Grand Canyon. Most of Arizona becomes part of U.S. at end of Mexican War. First stagecoach in Arizona.
Gold is discovered on the Gila River.
Territory of Arizona is created by Congress, with Prescott as capital. 1869 Major John Wesley Powell becomes first American to explore the Grand Canyon by boat. 1881 Railroad crosses state. Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, October 26. 1886 Great Apache Chief Geronimo surrenders.