Phoenix Roots: History of the Short-Lived Shoup’s Lake
The open area to the west of Central Avenue is approximately where Shoup's Lake existed. Aerial photo courtesy of the Maricopa County Flood Control District.
When the temperatures rise in Phoenix (and boy do they get high), young and old begin to look for places to cool off. Today, if you have not left the valley, we most often turn to the backyard pool, a nearby city pool, a hotel pool, or perhaps the Salt River. In my day, it was the sprinkler or a kiddie pool. But over a century ago, the choices were slim. Ok, for some youngsters, they might get in the nearest canal/ditch (not advisable today), dig a mudhole beneath some towering trees, but the few public pools and the nearby Salt River would probably have to do.
Yet, one enterprising man came up with an idea in 1918 to provide an inexpensive opportunity for all.
H.H. Shoup, who owned the Shoup Lumber Company on 5th Street and East Washington (the site of the Arizona Science Center), decided to acquire 30 acres through lease and purchase west of the north end of the Central Avenue Bridge. Why? On this acreage was a body of water supplied by the Salt River that varied in depth, width, and length which he was now calling Shoup’s Lake.
Shoup's Lake ad from The Arizona Republican, 14 July 1918: 8
According to the ads Shoup posted in the Arizona Republican, he planned to use this new venture to market his growing lumber company WHILE providing a place to swim, boat, and fish. Phoenicians could enjoy this ½ mile long body of clear running river water starting in July 1918 for FREE! The only condition Shoup seemed to place on using “his” lake was to vacate the premises by 11pm each evening.
Furthermore, Shoup intended to level the open field so everyone could park safely. Then he planned on acquiring motor and row boats and building a bath house. There would be a small charge for using a boat or the bath house. But half the proceeds from the boat rentals and bath house use would be donated to the Red Cross. Remember, the US had officially entered WWI April 6, 1917, and this was at least Shoup’s public contribution to the war effort as he did not aim to make lots of money from his investment during wartimes.
Shoup made it clear in one ad that his lake was “open to all races alike [and] anybody and everybody who knows how to be orderly are as welcome as the flowers in May.” And there was an area appropriate for children with its sandy beach and shallow water. For the experienced swimmers, portions of the lake were 8’ deep. Willow trees lined the banks providing shade and spots for picnics.
All the conveniences came with a risk as Shoup did not provide a lifeguard. Yet, that did not discourage those Phoenicians who sought a place to cool off that summer. In August of 1918, possibly during a monsoon, three of the boats ripped away from their lines and were seen “rapidly going toward Yuma.” We wonder how far they actually got.
And that August 1918 article was the last mention of H.H. Shoup’s Lake. Did the river change course, or did Shoup quietly close the operation? That remains a mystery.
Shoup's Lumber (now the site of the Arizona Science Center). Photo courtesy of Charles J. Shoup III
Donna Reiner is the co-author of three books on Phoenix related history and on the board of Preserve Phoenix.