# Arizona Navy 1934: When a Desert State Went to War

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/rainy-day-rabbit-holes-history-unhinged-6613547/arizona-navy-1934-when-a-desert-state-went-to-war
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/rainy-day-rabbit-holes-history-unhinged-6613547/arizona-navy-1934-when-a-desert-state-went-to-war.md
Podcast: [Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged](https://stenobird.com/podcast/rainy-day-rabbit-holes-history-unhinged-6613547)
Published: 2026-02-11T08:01:02+00:00
Episode link: https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/
Audio file: https://audio4.redcircle.com/episodes/b8bfcd9c-3fd7-497d-bfea-4b347462b650/stream.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1313

## Resource

Arizona is a desert. So why did it have a navy? In 1934, a bitter fight over the Colorado River pushed Arizona to the brink—and straight into one of the strangest standoffs in American history. When California began construction on Parker Dam, Arizona responded with troops, martial law, and a pair of commandeered ferry boats, creating a navy in a state with no coastline and no patience left. This episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes explores the absurd, high-stakes water war that pitted Arizona against California, complete with armed guards, newspaper mockery, and a 48-hour naval force led by an unexpected admiral. It’s a true story where political stubbornness, bad math, and the desperate need for water collided in spectacular fashion. Unhinged, underreported, and somehow still relevant today—this is the Arizona Navy, and it really happened. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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