Scottsdale, AZ 85253

A Fun Day in
Scottsdale
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, Az • (480) 312-2312
In 1967, Scottsdale, Arizona received 30 acres of land as part of generous
gift from Mr. & Mrs Fowler McCormick. Seven years later, construction
of the town’s beloved railroad park began. Today, visitors can board the
5/12-scale train at Stillman Station and enjoy a one-mile ride through
the park’s beautiful grounds. Additional attractions include a playground,
carousel, snack store in a caboose, and a display of restored locomotives.
It is an educational and unforgettable experience for youngand old alike.
Cracker Jax
16001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Az • (480) 998-2800
Miniature golf, go-carts, bumper boats and more await your arrival at this
fabulous fun park. It is a great place to bond as a family for an afternoon.
It features three different miniature golf courses that accommodate puttputt
novices and experts alike. Sports aficionados can participate in a
friendly game of volleyball, test their skills in the batting cage or improve
their swing by taking golf lessons from a PGA pro.
Scottsdale Historical Museum
7333 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, Az • (480) 945-4499
The small red schoolhouse serves as a repository of artifacts, photographs,
documents, and art pieces detailing Scottsdale’s history. You’ll find a replica
of an original schoolroom from the early years of the 20th century and
an exhibit focusing on Winfield Scott, the Civil War veteran and minister
who founded Scottsdale, Arizona. Plenty of memorabilia from the old west
delights the family, and the adjacent gift shop sells books and souvenirs. It
is a great addition to a day of shopping and eating in Old Town.
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
16435 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Az
(480) 998-7971
McDowell Conservancy, the largest urban
preserve in the nation, is an ideal outdoor
retreat. Visitors can enjoy a variety of
activities, including hiking,
bicycling and horseback riding. The preserve
includes extensive natural wildlife and
desert flora. Visitors can view plants and
animals rarely seen
outside the area. For an untarnished
outdoor adventure in Arizona, it doesn’t get
more pristine than the McDowell Sonoran
Conservancy.
Interesting Facts
1. The population of Phoenix consists of 1,455,632 residents.
2. The original inhabitants of Phoenix were the Hohokam tribe. It was this
tribe that is responsible for the creation of the paths that lead to the
Grand Canyon.
3. The petroglyph located in White Tank Mountain Regional Park was created
by the Hohokam tribe and may be a depiction of the 1006 CE supernova.
4. According to legend, severe flooding and droughts caused the Hohokam
tribe to leave Phoenix.
5. Akimel O’odham (translated as “river people”) settlements are located
along the Gila River and believed to be descendants of the original Hohokam
tribe.
6. Other tribes that have lived in this area include the Yavapai and the Maricopa.
7. In the 17th century there were only a few settlers in this area from European
countries including Father Eusebio Kino.
8. Settlers in the beginning of the 19th century included Mountain Men who
hunted for animal pelts. Mexican wolves, deer and other animals were
indigenous to this area.
9. In its beginning Phoenix was part of the New Mexico Territory. This area
was given to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War.
10. Fort McDowell was established in 1865 to protect settlers against attacks
from the Indian tribes.
11. A settlement, established by Hispanic workers on the Salt River, was the
first after the disappearance of the Hohokam tribes.
12. East Phoenix, originally known as Pumpkinville due to the large production
of pumpkins near its canal, was also known as Helling Mill, Swilling’s
Mill and Mill City.
13. Lord Darrell Duppa, who said the city was “born from the ruins of a former
civilization”, chose the name of Phoenix.
14. Jack Swilling, a confederate solider, became the city’s first postmaster. The
original post office was situated on a 320-acre track of land, which is now
the downtown district of Phoenix.
15. Tom Barum was elected the first sheriff of Maricopa County. His opponents
Jim Favorite and John Chenowth were involved in a shootout that resulting
in the death of Favorite.
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