[4] Murphy was deep in debt, since he had agreed to be paid in Arizona Canal Company stock and bonds and land instead of cash.

Murphy raised capital from out of state sources in order to meet payroll and construction expenses.

In order to develop and interest potential investors and settlers in this new town, Murphy decided to provide a better way of access from Phoenix to Glendale and ending in the town of Peoria by building an 18-mile-long (29 km) diagonal road which he named Grand Avenue.

[4] The railroad allowed Glendale settlers to transport goods to the north and easily receive building materials.

The construction and commercial applications of the Beet Sugar Factory in 1906 also contributed to the growth of Glendale.

Though the operations of the factory only lasted until 1913, it played an important role in the increase of immigrant and migrant settlers in the city.

Cotton continues to be a source of economic prosperity in Glendale with many farms still along the Loop 101, despite many farmers switching to more profitable crops.

[10] World War II brought the birth of Thunderbird Field to train civilian pilots for the Army.

In late 1940, a few Hollywood actors and businessmen, headed by Leland Hayward, approached the Army to establish a primary flight training school.

This group chose the site of Thunderbird Field primarily because of its abundance of space, excellent weather, and good visibility.

The military and college presence, as well as the increase in population (nearly doubling between 1950 and 1960),[12] sparked a need for utilities, parks, schools and streets.

The establishment of the Westgate Entertainment District, housing Desert Diamond Arena, and State Farm Stadium in the early 2000s made Glendale a destination for locals and visitors.

Construction of the VAI Resort and Mattel Adventure Park, scheduled to open in 2025, will continue to grow Glendale’s tourism economy creating hundreds of new jobs and proving more than a thousand new hotel rooms for the city.

[29] The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $56,991 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,677).

Glendale was temporarily renamed as Swift City on March 17 and 18, 2023,[44] as per the mayor and the city council's proclamation,[45] to celebrate the opening concerts of the Eras Tour, the sixth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, at State Farm Stadium.

[46] The Westgate Entertainment District, a mixed-use complex in the city, additionally put up welcoming messages, with the local restaurants offering Swift-themed menu items.

[47][48] State Farm also hosted the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, headlined by Barbadian singer Rihanna, shortly before the tour.

[49] Glendale is the site of two major sports venues: State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena.

Both the Cardinals and bowl game moved from Mountain America Stadium on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe.

Since opening, the facility has hosted three Super Bowls, three college football national championship games, the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, WrestleMania XXVI and International Champions Cup soccer to Glendale.

Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the stadium was featured on The History Channel TV series, Modern Marvels because of its roll-out natural grass field.

The inaugural Street League Skateboarding event was held in the summer of 2010 in Glendale at the Gila River Arena.

Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management was founded in Glendale at Thunderbird Field after World War II and recently relocated its campus to the downtown location of ASU after joining the university as an independent unit dedicated to international business education.

[54] Glendale Municipal Airport serves the city but it does not offer commercial air services.