SOUTHERN ARIZONA. 19 



With the completion of the contemplated railroad and the open- 

 ing of the great canal and other projected enterprises a wonderful 

 upward start will be given to the lands lying in Final. The re- 

 mains of ancient canals, the wonderful ruins of Casa Grande, the 

 numerous mounds, the presence of broken pottery everywhere 

 through the valley of the Gila, in Final county, are unmistakable 

 evidence of a once dense population, and the writer whom we have 

 above quoted is not wrong in saying that 



" Upon these broad and fertile mesa lands once teeming with life 

 and activity, history will so far repeat itself that in this respect the 

 now barren desert will be made to again blossom as the rose, and 

 thousands upon thousands of beautiful and happy homes will arise 

 above the mysterious ruins in fulfillment of the divine command. 

 The time has come for the inevitable change and the opportunity is 

 ripe." 



" Money, enterprise and intelligence have combined to again turn 

 a portion of the abundant waters of the Gila river, by nearly the 

 same course as that in which they were diverted in the obscured ages 

 of the twilight of Time, and upon the same lands once tilled by the 

 ancient pioneers of whom so little is really known. The zealous 

 antiquarian might regard this rejuvenation, or rather resurrection, of 

 the ashes of a dead civilization as a piece of wicked vandalism, but 

 the bard of the future will weave a brilliant woof of sentiment with 

 the warp of old and new history into a web of song that will live on 

 forever, extolling the unfolding and startling beauties of destiny and 

 evolution." 



Florence, the county seat, is situated in the Gila River valley, 

 about twenty-five miles north of Casa Grande station, on the Southern 

 Pacific Railroad. It is a delightful garden spot. Living streams 

 of water course along its well shaded streets. Every home sur- 

 rounded with flowers, vines and trees is charmingly picturesque and 

 beautiful. The population is about 2,000, but recently has been 

 growing very rapidly and attracting general attention. 



