Things to do / Travel Guide
Despite the rugged terrain and harsh climatic conditions, people have been living in southern Arizona for thousands of years. The ancient Hohokam Indians, Spanish Conquistadors, Franciscan missionaries, and Old West fortune-seekers have all left their mark.
Historical Attractions around Phoenix and Scottsdale
Its difficult to find traces of the pioneer past in the Phoenix area, but travelers who seek out Phoenix historical sites will not be disappointed with the museums, restored houses and restaurants in Heritage Square. Don't miss the very elegant Rosson House.
In Scottsdale, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, makes for an exciting destination for railroad buffs. They have train stations on display that are even older than New York City's Times Square Station. And cleaner.
At the northern edge of Phoenix off of I-17, the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum is a faithful recreation of frontier life in the Arizona desert.
Historic Native American Attractions around Phoenix and Scottsdale
Overlooking the Roosevelt Lake are two cliff dwellings constructed by the Salado Indians, who lived in the area from about 1150-1450 A.D. Known as the Tonto National Monument, a Visitor Center at the site explains how the tribe lived. A self-guided trail, which is a 350-foot climb up a paved road, will take you to the Lower Ruin, where you can explore the rooms inside this cave. It takes about one hour to get there and see the ruins. The Upper Ruin can be viewed only by prior arrangement with the Ranger guides, who lead a three-hour tour of the site.
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, located about 45 miles southeast of Phoenix, was built by the Hohokam tribe thousands of years ago. Some 2,800 tons of mud went into building the 11 rooms that comprise Arizona's biggest and most puzzling prehistoric structure, which is the only structure of its type that is still standing. Casa Grande, or the “Big House,” is the U.S.'s first archeological preserve, it was created by order of President Harrison and became the first prehistoric and cultural site to be established. Archeologists surmise that it was used for ceremonies or astronomical observations. At the Visitor Center you will learn about the Hohokam tribe and their sophisticated irrigation and farming techniques. Not to be confused with the modern town called Casa Grande, the monument is located one mile north of Coolidge.
South of Phoenix off of I-10 lies the Gila River Indian Reservation, which is larger in area than Phoenix. Visit the Gila River Arts and Crafts Center, to learn about (and buy) Native American crafts.
Historical Attractions around Tucson
Exploring two historic areas of Tucson, the El Presidio and Barrio Historic Districts, is a great way to get a taste of 19th century life in the “Old Pueblo.” The Edward Nye Fish House, which now houses the Jack Goodman Pavilion of Western Art, has solid adobe walls that are more than 2½-feet thick and 15-foot ceilings. La Casa Cordova, an adobe structure that dates from 1848, is one of the oldest houses in Tucson and its interior rooms have been restored to reflect life in the 1880s. An excellent example of the Mission Revival, or Spanish Mediterranean, style is the Corbett House, built in 1907 on the site of the original presido (fort) wall built by the Spanish in the 18th century. The impressive St. Augustine Cathedral, which is modeled after the Cathedral of Queretaro on Mexico, is located in the southern section.
Ten minutes south of Tuscon on I-19 is the well-preserved Mission San Xavier Del Bac, dating back to the days of the Franciscan missionaries.
Historical Attractions South of Tucson
Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday made Tombstone famous, after their 1881 shoot-out at the O.K. Corral. Today, you can recapture the “Wild West” atmosphere of “the town too tough to die” with visits to the Helldorado Outdoor Amphitheater, where the gunfight is recreated, the Boot Hill Graveyard, where the losers are buried, and, of course, the O.K. Corral itself. You can also stop and smell the roses of the world's largest rosebush, planted way back in 1885.
Continue south, past Tombstone and about 10 miles from the Mexico border is the historic town of Bisbee. Were it not for the influx of artists in the past few decade the town might have become another western ghost town. Locals, artists, gays and retirees have preserved the history and architecture of this on-time mining town definitely worth a visit.
Head directly south of Tuscon on I-15 and you will reach Tubac, avbout 20 miles before the Mexican border. Tubac is a shoppers delight and also the site of a Spanish Fort, commemorated at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.
Historical Sites in Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Tombstone and Southern Arizona
Historical-Sites
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