Mayor Phil Gordon and City Council celebrated a milestone birthday for the city at Tuesday's City Council meeting at 2 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.

Holsum Bakery President and CEO Ed Eisele presented the city with a special, 125th birthday cake (view photo). Holsum, the city's oldest, family-owned company is also celebrating its 125th birthday. The Mayor and Council also displayed the city's original incorporation papers and other documents from Phoenix's early days.

Phoenix incorporated on Feb. 25, 1881, 11 years after the city organized. In 1874, officials had set the cost of the Phoenix Townsite at $550. Mayor John Alsap was elected on May 3, 1881 with 127 votes. The population was about 2,500.

More than 1.4 million residents later, Phoenix is now the fifth-largest city in the country.

For more on Phoenix's history, read the “Out of the Ashes” publication.