Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-09-26
PHENIX.
The Capital City, the Gem of
Southern Arizona
GLOWING PROSPECTS
Of Her Future Growth and
Prosperity.
Grsndest Residence in Arizona
Model Hotels and Business
Men.

Phenix, the county-seat of Maricopa,
and territorial capital, is situated in
about the centre of the Salt river valley,
and contains a population OF about 5,OOO
souls. Its streets are wide-many of
them 100 ft.-Gnd are illuminated by
gas and electricity. They are traversed
by about six miles of street railroad.
The blocks are uniformely 300ft square.
The county court house is an imposing
structure, likewise the city hall, now
used as the capital building. The old
adobe buildings are becoming thing Of
the past; fine &, e proof bricks are now
tie order of the day, and modern
spirit of enterprise and thrift seems to
have taken hold OF the community in
general. ] can scarcely find a man,
though he may not be getting rich very
fast, who does not believe in bright fu-
ture for Phenix; while some, who are
accounted safe and cool-headed bust
ness men, predict a population on this
site of 10000 within the next five years.
Much credit Is due, aud freely accord
ed, the chamber of commerce for the
city (which is composed of the leading
ciuzens,) in bringing to the attention of
the public the rich resources of the
Salt river valley. Phenix also recogni-
Ea Of ha md
made liberal use of 1t as an advertising
medium. Many special editions setting
forth the resources and attractions of
the valley have, at one time or another,
been issued by the different newspapers
here aud sent abroad. The journals of
the capital, named in the order Of their
age, are the Herald, n. A. Morford, ed
itor and proprietor; the Gazette, j. l..
Wilson, edIter; aud the Repu bllcan, l..
Woltey, editor The Herald is one of
the best equipped Offices in the territory.
The city has some very handsome
residence buildings. Gen. Clark Church
i'll is now completing what will be the
most elegant residence of, not only the
capital city, but of the entire territory.
The General kindly showed me through
it and explained briefly its plan. A few
of it's general outlines might prove of
public interest, though its owner would
not have it understood that, in the erec-
ton OF SO fine structure, he had any
ambition to out-do his neighbors, but
merely to carry out his ideal of a model
residence, and to enjoy the comforts of
the same.
The building is of fire proof brick, 81
feet square, has four floors, including
basement, which is so arranged that, In
summer, it will be the coolest and most
comfortable of any for use as dining and
drawing rooms. A centre hallway, II fl.
wide, on all three floors above basement,
extends the full depth OF the building,
with circular stairway about midway
the hall. The drawing room on the first
floor, proper, is 2S44 ~ TT. with an archw way
about the middle. The room is lighted
mainly by a circular bay window.
Large and well ventilated suites of rooms
are provided on two floors next above
the basement, besides an elegant recep
ton room and a library room 28x22 feet
and costly library, flor an individual
affair.". Besides a rare collection Of
books and magazines, he has files Of
papers covering the past decade.
The kitchen and laundry are detached
so that no obnoxious fumes from either
shall reach the main building. The
upper floor is devoted chiefly to sleep
ing apartments. The house is furnished
with bathrooms, billiard rooms, and in
short it seems to be lacking in no re-
spect calculated to appeal to the taste
and comfort Of the most fastidious of
mankind. From the observatory, 10
feet square and 70 feet above the base,
an enchanting view is afforded of valley
and mountains.
Among the numerous business men
whom l called upon were S. d. Loune Il
Son, proprietors Of the Phenix ice fac
Mr.. Lount, Sr. started the first
ice factory in this place in June 1879,
which was furthermore, the first in the
territory. The present capacity of his
plant is about five tons, which he expects
soon to increase 10 II tens. Tie furnishes
the market at half cent pound,
and so economically is his plant operated
that he claims to he making u good
profit on his business.
/ also called upon Paul Smyly of the
firm of Smith d Smyly, manufacturers
of sada water and every Other variety Of
soft drinks IL the modern catalogur.
He reports doing good shipping ouei-
ness all over the country, besides good
city trade.
Phenix has ut least two hotels that are
not out-rankei by any in this territory,
the Commercial and the Mills The
former is owned and managed by Geo.
81. n. Luhrs. 1t has fine location, be-
ing on the corner of Central and Jetfer-
son streets. Its dimentions are 137x
10l1 feet, three stories in height, and is
constructed of first class fire proof brick,
with large verandas in front, on level
with each floor. The superior accom-
modations provided, and the popularity
of the proprietor, accounts for the large
patronage it receives. The Mills House,
formerly known as the Lemon, is also a
favorite resort to visitors to the capital
city. 1t has 40 rooms, all on the ground
floor, and newly papered throughout.
The house is provided with hot and cold
water, electric lights and telephones,
with an omnibus which meets all trains.
e. NJ. Mills, the proprietor, Is the pic
neer hotel man of Phenix, and under.
stands how 10 run hotel
Phenix has many handsome business
blocks, and class of business men able
to cope with any city in the west,
PHENIx, Sept. II, 1901.