What is Tempes “Founding” Date?
The commonly accepted date for the establishment of Tempe is 1871. This is when Charles Hayden built the first building on his homestead (which he filed a claim for in 1870). In October, 1871, “Mr. Hayden erected a small pole shanty about 14×16 feet upon the spot now occupied by the old Hayden House [La Casa Vieja]. This shanty was used as a store and was the only structure in this locality for some time, with the exception of an old adobe building on section 17” (source: Arizona Republican, 25 December 1901, 10:1).
