Phoenix is the capital of Arizona in the United States. It’s also the largest city in Arizona in terms of population. It became the capital of Arizona in 1889, which achieved statehood in 1912. The majority of the year it’s sunny in Phoenix, and it’s considered one of the hottest cities in the US. I enjoy visiting capital cities, because they offer a great opportunity to learn about the history of that state.
1: The Arizona State Capitol, was built in 1900 as the seat of the territorial government, prior to Arizona becoming a state. It was converted to a museum in 1979.2-3: The inside decor is much simpler than other historic state capitol buildings I have seen. With less marble and more wood, it has a more western flare to it. In this photo, I love the way the dome projects sunlight onto the floor!4-5: Among the many artifacts displayed in the capitol museum, are two historic flags. The first flag was salvaged from the USS Arizona, which was bombed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The second flag is a flag carried by Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, and flown over Cuba during the Spanish-American War in 1898.6: Outside the capitol is a monument to the USS Arizona, which includes its anchor, two guns, and flag mast.7: Nearby the USS Arizona memorial is the Vietnam War Memorial. I thought the imagery of this sculpture was especially powerful. It depicts a soldier embracing a mortally wounded comrade, and another soldier attempting to pull him to safety.8: Also outside the State Capitol, is the state seal fashioned in colored concrete. The current version was introduced in the 1980s. The state motto, Ditat Deus, which is Latin for ‘God enriches’, sits atop the crest.9: The Orpheum Theater is a historic theater located in downtown Phoenix. It was completed in 1929, and is styled after Spanish Baroque architecture. The theater now hosts off-Broadway shows, concerts, and plays. 10: The Wells Fargo Museum is one of twelve museums throughout the US. They offer free admission, so they are a great place to visit if you are on a budget. The museum in Phoenix contains a great collection of art and artifacts from the old west. Pictured is a stage coach from when Wells Fargo operated on of the routes of the famed Pony Express.
