Apr. 28, 2006 - Brief History of Arizona

In the 1800s, Arizona was an exciting, dangerous place to live. One reason was that settlers always feared Indian attacks. In 1864, Kit Carson led a campaign that resulted in the defeat of the Navajo tribe, but the Apache were a threat until their leader, Geronimo, surrendered in 1886. Even so, many people came to Arizona to mine its gold, silver, and copper deposits. Boom towns such as Tombstone sprung up around the mines. In 1890, many in the state voiced their desire for statehood. But the United States government's disagreement with some articles in the state's constitution held things up, and Arizona did not become a state until 1912.