Why were settlements started in places like Vegas and Pheonix if they weren’t connected to a river that connected to the ocean like the Mississippi River for trade and had no viable farmland?

Question

Why were settlements started in places like Vegas and Pheonix if they weren’t connected to a river that connected to the ocean like the Mississippi River for trade and had no viable farmland?

In: 4650

Answer 1

Utah was mostly founded by Mormons after they were run out of many cities that they thought would be their Mecca. Arizona was largely founded due to all the rich minerals and metals found throughout the state. Most cities in Arizona were there before Arizona was even an actual state, built by miners.