Buckeye Valley History

​Development in the Buckeye Valley received its first great boost with the construction of the Buckeye Canal. In 1884, Malin Monroe Jackson, along with Joshua L. Spain and Henry Mitchell, began building a canal. Jackson named the canal in honor of his native state of Ohio, the "Buckeye State." Completed in 1886, Thomas Clanton helped build 10 miles of the canal running adjacent to his homestead. In 1887, Clanton applied for a post office to be established in the new community, and in 1888, the United States Postal Service granted the request, naming the new station "Buckeye" after the canal. Thomas Clanton and his family were the first permanent Anglo residents of Buckeye. That same year, Thomas Clanton teamed with Phoenix surgeon Oscar L. Mahoney, and subdivided 60 acres of their land. A business district was established between 4th and 6th Streets on Centre Avenue. A town site was platted and Clanton named the new town Sidney, though why he chose that name remains a mystery. However, because of the significance of the canal, over time the town became known as Buckeye, and the name was legally changed in 1910. Also in 1888, William "Bucky" O'Neil and Associates organized the Buckeye Irrigation Company, renaming the Buckeye Canal Company, and had it certified by the Territorial Secretary. Bucky O'Neil later went on to become one of the famous Rough Riders.

Advances in transportation put Buckeye on the map. In 1910, the Arizona Eastern Railroad came to Buckeye; in 1911, the first automobile; by 1912, a steam rail line connected with Phoenix; and by 1915, a state highway. The coming of the railroad was so signifigcant that the business district was moved to accommodate the location of the railroad station.

  As a result, Buckeye was booming! By 1912, major buildings were constructed along with the expansion of the business community. Buckeye was incorporated in 1929 and included 440 acres, or less than one square mile. The first mayor was Hugh M. Watson, founder of the Buckeye Valley Bank. His son, Hugh Watson, Jr. served as mayor fron 1956 to 1958.

In 1935, the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce started the Helzapoppin' Days, which has become a local tradition. The festivities included street dances, a parade, a carnival and a rodeo. Proceeds were given to local churches to distribute to the needy and for scholarships. Celebrities such as cowboy singing star Gene Autry attended these events.