The Sixth C for Arizona

The five C’s of The Arizona economy, once used to be a part every Arizona youngster’s education from the 1950’s though 70‘s. Can you name them?

Before delving into them

I want mention a very special C that’s time is a coming and for limited time. Centennial! Feb, 14 2012 will be 100 years of  Arizona State Hood.

There are special events happening across the state to celebrate. How can you find out about them? The official list of events,also check your favorite museum, visit a library or other cultural institutions to see the array of events they are hosting. I know I have a few libraries booking Marshall Shore: Retro Spectacular shows and also talking with a venue outside of the valley. I have a few things in the works to bring Arizona to you with a unique twist. More on those later!

Five Cs of Arizona

The first time that Five Cs appeared in print was in 1939 in an issue of Arizona Highways. The research and finding  this came from a Valley Leadership as part of a project to talk about the Historical Five Cs and update them to match what is going on in Arizona, now. Let’s talk about the Historical 5 Cs, the next post will be on their findings of modern  5 Cs and then I’ll wrap up this trio of post with a list of my own Cs for Arizona .

Copper: People have been digging in Arizona for precious metals for a long time. Native Americans used them for tools, weapons,  for jewelry and in paint for pottery. People started to come to the state to seek riches and settle in the 1700 and 1800s. Copper ore is still mined in the state for many different uses. Copper is used in mostly in wire or coins, such as a penny.  See how Youth got involved in collections Pennies for the Arizona CENTennial Penny Drive

Is it live or plastic?

Cattle: People began raising stock in Arizona around 1690. Spanish ranchers settled, around the same time, Jesuit missionaries gave the O’odham Indians livestock after they agreed to live in mission communities.

Ranching began in growing in the 1730s around the time of the mining boom. The Arizonian countryside was converted into a large livestock ranch in a short amount of time.

Ownership of the Cattle was identified by brands. Brands are supposed to be used on livestock – not as logos – but that doesn’t stop folks from owning them. It costs $75 to register a new brand with the state, and it’s good for five years.

Citrus: Citrus refers to agriculture and farming in the state. Grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges are among the most popular citrus grown.

 Climate: Climate refers to the weather in the state.  Because it is sunny most of the time many people like to visit the state. Spending money on hotels, food and sight-seeing. As well as many folks using the outside as an extra room or playground almost year around.

Cotton: The Arizona Cotton boom occurred during World War I. The boom was a result of it’s use in making wartime products such as making tires. The town of Goodyear established in by the tire company specifically for its factory and employees there. By 1920, cotton was so profitable, that almost all other crop productions were ceased to grow cotton. However, after World War I many of the government contracts for cotton dried up, since there was no longer a need for it. The resulting glut in the market resulted in the eventually end of the boom of cotton in Arizona.

Which leaves me preparing additional post on updating these historical Cs to reflect a more modern Arizona economy of a 100 year old state. In the mean time go Celebrate the Centennial.