Arizona republican., 1922-01-01


town of Buckeye is the principal
toWN, lies in the extreme western end
of Maricopa county. The valley is
bounded on the east by the Aqua
Fria river one the west by the Has
sayampa river. while the Gila river
on the south furnishes the water for
the irrigation project.
The foundation of the valley dates
back to the early sos. when a num-
ber of hardy pioneers located there
for the purpose of carrying on agrl-
culture. At that time the present
fertile valley was desert waste, but
these men Immediately saw the fu-
ture possibilities and began to form
ulate a plan to make it an oasis in
the desert. Small canal systems
sprung into existence, the water be-
ing taken from the Gila river and
spread out over the land adjacent
to the river. At that time the prin-
cipal town was known as Sidney,
which is now known as Buckeye.
A party of rich people from the
state Of Ohio realizing the possibilities
formed q company and located in the
valley, calling it the Buckeye valley
this being accomplished about 1890.
and in honor of the state from which
they came they called the principal
town Buckeye.
10000 Acres Under Canal
The Buckeye valley at the present
time consists of about 10000 acres
under the irrigation canal. The irri-
CATION canal is a mutually owned
project; 1t is not a money making
proposition but Is cooperative. The
system is known as the Buckeye Ir-
rigation company and has total Of
20. 900 shares, each share being ap-
Durtenant to a certain specified acre.
,rhe expense of operation is carried
on by assessments and each farmer
pays a proportionate part. The pres
ent canal was started about 20 years
ago and is about 25 miles long, nu-
merous laterals having been added
from time to time and at the present
time an extensive program for more
laterals is being worked out and will
be installed shortly.
The intake of the canal Is just west
of the junction of the Salt and Gila
rivers, and being thus situated is al
ways assured OF plentiful supply
Of water, as the water not used by
the Salt River valley project is al
ways constant and may be used to ad-
vantage in the Buckeye district, and
this, coupled with the ella flow,
makes the project assured of wa
| ter at all times. The stockholders OF
the irrigation company have voted
| $500, 900 in bonds, these having been
authorized and flCs ted for the pur-
| pose of building a dam at the intake
| rf hn i1 m 40 ~
| cement and rock construction, with
a wide, low, flat top, being so con-
structed as to withstand flood wa
ters. The dam is to be a diversion
dam rather than a storage reservoir
The engineering work is all done, the
| plants having been made. maps and
specifications being on file. and the
construction work will likely be un-
der way within a short time.
New Drainage District
The people of the valley have or
ganized Drainage District No. 4, and
have voted bonds to the extent OF
100000 and al work on these bonds
for the peoples part have been com
pleted and as soon as the necessary
legal work is finished, this work will
also be available. To increase the
acreage of the valley, another 20, 00t
acres and over a plan is on foot by 6
company to reclaim the land north
OF the Buckeye district by the aid oi
pumps and waste water. This viii
form high line canal and double the
population and the farming area.
The climate of the valley is ad-
mirable and the warmness of the
climate is conducive to a long grow
ing season, while in the colder
months 1t is not so severe but that
crops may be grown. The soil is
rich in content and bountiful crops
are raised and harvested so that
agriculture is the main industry and
a paying occupation.
The Buckeye valley soil is Of the
finest in the state, being free from
Johnson grass, produces bumper
crops, the products raised being al
falfa, fruits. grains, cotton and veg
etables. The grazing facilities nearby
offer unlimited opportunities for cat
tie raising; hogs, sheep and poultry
thrive. The valley justly famous for
the quality and kind of alfalfa seed
grown, for it is here that the. famous
Buckeye Alfalfa Seed is raised
More alfalfa seed is grown here than
in any other section of the state, the
soil being particularly favorable foI
this seed production. The hay crops
form the basis of the beef cattle in
dustry and thus coupled with silos
for winter feeding, make It possible
to carry on dairying on the large
scale.
The valley IN its inception was
composed of few people and larg,
acreage, but finding that this wa:
not conducive to the best crops. tn,
acreage was subdivided and NOR,
people brought in and the yielding O
the land was doubled.
Good Roads
The roads of the valley are OF dir
construction, but are very good ant
soon the town OF Buckeye will b.
J connected with the rest of the coun