Levi Ruggles

Levi Ruggles (1824–1889) known as the "Father of Florence, Arizona" was an American soldier, carpenter, schoolteacher, pioneer, and politician who founded the town of Florence, Arizona.

Early years Ruggles was born in the state of Ohio. He was a carpenter by trade and also a school teacher. Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, he joined the Ohio State Militia where he was commissioned with the rank of Colonel. The militia was absorbed by the Department of the Ohio, an administrative military district created by the United States War Department early in the American Civil War, and assigned to the regular Union Army during the conflict. He served in the militia until 1866. That same year he was appointed to serve as an Indian Agent in the United States Territory of Arizona. As an agent he had to interact with the Native-American tribes of the Pimas, Papago (an archaic term for Tohono O'odham people) and Maricopa on behalf of the U.S. government. Ruggles, who was married to Cynthia M. Tharp, held that office until 1869.

Florence, Arizona

The area where Ruggles served had been once inhabited by the Hohokam people approximately 1,200 years ago. These early natives resided in close proximity to the Gila River, and had developed extensive canals and agricultural lands which yielded various crops. It is unknown what eventfully happened to the Hohokam people. During the early 1800s the region was under Mexican jurisdiction until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853, which placed all lands south of the Gila River under the authority of the United States Government.

Ruggles recognized the agricultural potential of the valley and found an easily fordable crossing on the Gila River. Ruggles brought land and surveyed a townsite which was laid out in 125 square foot blocks. He had a daughter named Florence, however it is commonly believed by historians that he named the town after Florence, Italy.

Ruggles designed the plans for the First Pinal County Courthouse building that was constructed in 1878 of locally made adobe blocks. The wood for the building was brought from northern Arizona by wagon. The structure is located at W. 24 Ruggle St. It served as a courthouse. Since then, it has functioned as a hospital, health center, home for the elderly, and a museum. The structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1974, reference #74000461.

Ruggles held numerous public offices including both register and receiver of the U. S. Land Office, merchant, justice of the peace, school board trustee, Pinal County treasurer and representative to the Territorial Legislature three times.