The Swilling Irrigating and Canal Company founded by Mrs. Swilling's (as Escalante was referred to) husband had 16 investors which included Phillip Darrell Duppa (known as Lord Duppa) and Bryan Phillips.
They had a modern canal system dug with the help of Mexican laborers, enabling a dependable delivery of water.
The canal diverted water from the Salt River to irrigate farm lands in what would eventually become the town of Phoenix.
The canal, which became known as "Swilling's Ditch," was successful.
In 1884, the Joint Head Dam was built in the location where Jack Swilling began to build his ditch and where the Salt River is located.

The Swillings claimed 160 aces in what currently is 32nd Street and Van Buren in Phoenix.
There they established a farm which included an orchard and a vineyard and the Swillings became economically prosperous.
They built a 10-room house which often served as a community meeting place.
It was in their house that the first Catholic Mass was held in Phoenix.
Father Edward Gerard of Florence would often come to Phoenix via a horse-drawn wagon to hold Catholic services at their home.

Mr. Swilling established a mill and wanted to establish a new settlement called "Pumpkinville" in the vicinity of his mill, known as the Swilling Mill.
A debate ensued over the naming of the new settlement.
Among the other names which were suggested were "Stonewall", after Stonewall Jackson, and Salina.

The decision was hotly contested between two sites: the original settlement around Swilling's farm, and a site about a mile to the west, which was supported by the newly-founded "Salt River Valley Town Association" (SRVTA).
 Due to economic considerations benefitting the members of SRVTA, the more westerly townsite was selected, and a 320 acres (1.3 km²) plot of land was purchased in what is now the downtown business section.
The will of others prevailed and he sided in the founding of the city at its present location.

It is commonly believed that Lord Duppa proposed the name of Phoenix relating back to the story of the mythical Phoenix's rebirth from the ashes.
The basis being the rebirth of a city of canals, rebuilt on the site of the ancient Hohokam prehistoric canal systems that dated back to about 700-1400 AD.
Mr. Swilling was elected Justice of the Peace for the Phoenix Precinct and was Phoenix's first postmaster.
This earned Mr. Swilling the title "the Father of Phoenix" and Mrs. Swilling the title "the Mother of Phoenix."
In 1868, Mrs. Swilling founded the first pioneer home in the Salt River Valley.
The Swilling Irrigating and Canal Company founded by Mrs. Swilling's (as Escalante was referred to) husband had 16 investors which included Phillip Darrell Duppa (known as Lord Duppa) and Bryan Phillips. They had a modern canal system dug with the help of Mexican laborers, enabling a dependable delivery of water. The canal diverted water from the Salt River to irrigate farm lands in what would eventually become the town of Phoenix. The canal, which became known as "Swilling's Ditch," was successful. In 1884, the Joint Head Dam was built in the location where Jack Swilling began to build his ditch and where the Salt River is located.
The Swillings claimed 160 aces in what currently is 32nd Street and Van Buren in Phoenix. There they established a farm which included an orchard and a vineyard and the Swillings became economically prosperous. They built a 10-room house which often served as a community meeting place. It was in their house that the first Catholic Mass was held in Phoenix. Father Edward Gerard of Florence would often come to Phoenix via a horse-drawn wagon to hold Catholic services at their home.
Mr. Swilling established a mill and wanted to establish a new settlement called "Pumpkinville" in the vicinity of his mill, known as the Swilling Mill. A debate ensued over the naming of the new settlement. Among the other names which were suggested were "Stonewall", after Stonewall Jackson, and Salina.
The decision was hotly contested between two sites: the original settlement around Swilling's farm, and a site about a mile to the west, which was supported by the newly-founded "Salt River Valley Town Association" (SRVTA).  Due to economic considerations benefitting the members of SRVTA, the more westerly townsite was selected, and a 320 acres (1.3 km²) plot of land was purchased in what is now the downtown business section. The will of others prevailed and he sided in the founding of the city at its present location.
It is commonly believed that Lord Duppa proposed the name of Phoenix relating back to the story of the mythical Phoenix's rebirth from the ashes. The basis being the rebirth of a city of canals, rebuilt on the site of the ancient Hohokam prehistoric canal systems that dated back to about 700-1400 AD. Mr. Swilling was elected Justice of the Peace for the Phoenix Precinct and was Phoenix's first postmaster. This earned Mr. Swilling the title "the Father of Phoenix" and Mrs. Swilling the title "the Mother of Phoenix." In 1868, Mrs. Swilling founded the first pioneer home in the Salt River Valley.
Trinidad Swilling