Scottsdale is named for Winfield Scott, an Army chaplain who arrived in the area in 1888. His reputation as a colonizer with integrity inspired local promoters to invite him to come to the area. That invitation paid off because while still in the army, he continuously promoted the area. He retired from the army in 1893 and moved to his 160-acre homestead which he had purchased in 1888 for $2.50 per acre under the Desert Land Act.

In 1896, the first schoolhouse was opened and in 1897, J.L. Davis opened a general store with a post office. In 1911, Scottsdale's first official Post Office was opened.

In the early 1900's, most of the houses in Scottsdale were built of orange crates and canvas. Phoenix residents disdainfully referred to the town as "White City" because of all the white tent dwellings.

In 1951, with 2,000 residents, Scottsdale was incorporated as a city and the newly elected mayor, Malcolm White, gave the city its slogan "The West's Most Western Town".