Glendale is the fourth largest city in the state of Arizona behind only Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa with a population of more than 225,000 residents. Located 9 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix in the Northwest Valley, the city covers 52 square miles.

The city was founded in 1883, 29 years before Arizona statehood, when the Arizona Canal Company hired entrepeneur William J. Murphy to spearhead the building of a 44-mile long canal from the Salt River to the Northeast Valley. The Arizona Canal was completed two years later.In 1891 the Brethren - members of the German Reformed Church in Illinois - began colonizing the new town. While originally open only to the Brethren, Glendale soon was opened to immigrants and others from across the Eastern United States.

Murphy stepped in and connected Glendale to Northern Arizona and the rest of the nation through a new railroad. Glendale's development slowed, however, when a major flood struck the Valley in 1895 and caused the newly-built Arizona Canal to overflow. The flooding ruined a lot of farmland and ranches and the canal remained under repair for three years, cutting farmers off from their precious water supply.

Glendale's growth stagnated until the Beet Sugar Factory was built in 1906. Hundreds of jobs became available and people once again began moving to town. Though the factory closed in 1916, it played a major role in the town's economic development. World War I also contributed to Glendale's economic growth as local farmers grew lettus, cantaloupes, watermelons and cotton to supply the demand heightened by the war. Prices slumped during the Depression in Glendale as they did across the nation, but business again was revitalized after World War II.

World War II also brought the construction of Thunderbird Field, used to train civilian pilots, and Luke Air Force Base 10 miles west of the city. The opening of Luke AFB brought thousands of airmen, along with new jobs and residents, to the area.

The opening of the two flight schools in 1941 marked a change in Glendale's history, as Glendale changed from a quiet, somewhat isolated community to an "international city" with airmen from all over the nation and world.

The prestigious Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management is located on the old grounds of Thunderbird Field and Luke AFB has become the largest F-16 training facility in the world.

Since the end of World War II, Glendale has experience constant explosive growth. Glendale annexed four square miles of land south of the city limits, instantly doubling Glendale's population. And since then the city has increased from six square miles to its current 59 square miles.

Glendale's first master planned community, Arrowhead Ranch, was built across 5,000 acres on the city's north side. And Arrowhead Ranch's zip code, 85308, boasts the highest number of millionaire households in the Phoenix area.

While Luke AFB remains Glendale's largest employer, Glendale also has become the home of Honeywell, Bechtel Corp, Conair and Arizona State University West. Glendale also is the home of the Phoenix Coyotes, will become the home of the Arizona Cardinals in 2005, the Fiesta Bowl in 2006 and will play host to the Super Bowl in 2008.

For more information about Glendale, visit the city's official site at www.visitglendale.com!