Arizona is home to many historic places, some of which are very well preserved and transport visitors back in time.
Tombstone Courthouse State Park serves to preserve the original Cochise County courthouse built in 1882 by architect George Dee and designed in the Victorian style. Once housing various county offices, this two-story Victorian structure now serves as an attraction at this park.
Rosson House is a historic house museum that provides visitors with a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of late 19th-century America. Other historical sites include Casa Grande National Monument’s cliff dwellings.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Tuzigoot (which translates to “crooked water”) was built between 1000 and 1450 CE by Sinagua people, who resided from Jerome to Camp Verde and constructed above-ground masonry pueblos on canyon walls or hilltops for dry farmers who engaged in dry agriculture. Their original village had two-storied rooms containing 86 excavated rooms; residents entered through hatchways in roof hatchways using wood-pole ladders extending out of hatchways in roof.
The Clarkdale Ruins are located east of Clarkdale and 120 feet above the Verde River floodplain, under preservation by the National Park Service and can be visited on two trails: Ruins Loop Trail and Tavasci Marsh Overlook Trail. In addition, there is also a visitor center/museum which contains actual artifacts found here during excavation in 1930s as well as archeological items like ollas, projectile points, coiled basketry and plain woven and painted textiles that make up this monument’s collection of archeological objects found there: Ruins Loop Trail is short while Tavasci Marsh Overlook Trail offers longer views over Tavasci Marsh Overlook Trail and Tavasci Marsh Overlook Trails respectively.
Rosson House
The Rosson House Museum can be found in downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square. Built between 1894 and 1895, the Rosson House serves as an excellent example of Stick Eastlake Queen Anne architecture – featuring parquet wood floors, nine Gib doors, and a Queen Anne staircase.
After Dr. Roland Rosson relocated to Phoenix as an assistant surgeon with the U.S. Army in 1875, his family constructed their house on Block 14 of the original Phoenix townsite. Designed by architect A.P. Petit who included elements from various cultures into its design such as Asian moon gate, Italianate hooded windows, and French octagonal turret are just some of these influences that were integrated into its design.
Over its lifetime, this house changed hands multiple times before eventually becoming a boarding house in 1940s. When purchased by the city in 1974, efforts have been successful at conserving this structure; guided tours provide insight into both its past and its former residents’ lives.
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Fort Bowie National Historic Site provides a rare look into America’s frontier history. Established as a national historic landmark in 1960 and converted to national historical park status in 1972, this park includes a museum/visitor center as well as the Old Post Cemetery and Apache Wikups – three elements which together offer visitors an unique perspective into America’s past.
National park contains remnants of an Army outpost which played an instrumental role in the Apache Wars and was abandoned in 1894. Visitors can explore its remains, visit exhibits at its visitor center, hike trails or observe wildlife at this beautiful destination.
Fort Bowie in Southeastern Arizona tells the tale of US Army conflicts with Chiricahua Apache tribes during the 19th century. As a focal point for cultural and spiritual activities, Fort Bowie became home for Apache leaders such as Cochise, Naiche and Geronimo to spend significant amounts of time here. Fort Bowie can be found near historic towns including Willcox, Benson Douglas Sierra Vista Arivaca.
Old Oraibi
Old Oraibi on the Third Mesa of the Hopi Reservation in northern Arizona is thought to be North America’s oldest continually inhabited settlement. Hopi people value strong family ties, serving their community and being responsible stewards of Earth.
Pottery dating by tree rings and other methods demonstrates that Oraibi was established at least by the 12th century. Oraibi houses consist of disjointed north/south house rows which rise two or three stories; irregularities of arrangement create spaces between groups which provide enclosed courtyards.
Visitors to Oraibi must remember that its village government does not welcome casual observers. Instead, visitors who wish to come should contact Oraibi beforehand and request a tour. Oraibi is considered sacred ground by its people; any cameras brought should remain locked up in your car and refrain from photographing ceremonies or residents in Oraibi.
