Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of the nation’s major destinations for snow birds, tourists, and folks looking to relocate to warmer climates. While considered to be part of a modern metropolis with nearby capital Phoenix, Scottsdale has a significant historical past all its own. This rich history is preserved in some of the sites and attractions that the city has to offer.

Scottsdale Historical Museum

Housed in what was the city’s first schoolhouse, the Scottsdale Historical Museum is located near the intersections of Scottsdale Road and Indian School Road. The museum’s mission is to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Scottsdale and the Southwest, and begins with the building in which the museum is housed. The building, which is also known as the Little Red Schoolhouse, was built in 1909 and had two classrooms. Children in grades one through eight attended the school, and a lower level of the building was also used for town meetings and as a church. The Little Red Schoolhouse became a community gathering for the Mexican laborers and their families who came to work the cotton fields from the 1920s to the 1960s.

After the building was also used as city hall, a library, and Chamber of Commerce, it became the Scottsdale Historical Museum in 1991. The museum features a replication of a 1910 schoolroom, as well as furniture that once belonged to some of Scottsdale’s founding fathers, namely Chaplain Winfield Scott. A statue of Scott is also housed in the museum.

Titus House

The Titus House is Scottsdale’s oldest residence, dating back to 1892. Located at 1319 North Hayden Road, the Titus House was the original home of Frank Titus, a railroad investor who moved to Scottsdale from San Francisco, CA. He hired James Miller Creighton to design the home, a decision that marked the beginning of formally architect-designed homes in the region and a move away from the traditional adobe construction. As a result, the architectural significance of Titus House, the only remaining Victorian residence in Scottsdale, is what helped the property to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house once sat on hundreds of acres of farming and cattle lands, which were parceled and sold off as Scottsdale shifted from an agriculturally-focused settlement to a larger, diversified city. The house is privately owned, but is sometimes featured as a stop on area home tours and walking tours of the city.

Taliesin West

Taliesin West is another architectural gem in Scottsdale, designed by the world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright between 1937 and 1959. The building is located at 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and sits just below McDowell Peak overlooking Paradise Valley. Taliesin West was built to be Wright’s winter home and an architectural school, which is still in operation today. The property is also home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which is dedicated to educating people of all backgrounds about the relationships between nature, design, and architecture, as well as preserving Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces for the enjoyment of future generations. Visitors to Taliesin West can choose from a variety of tours, the majority of which highlight Wright’s ability to seamlessly incorporate the building’s desert surroundings into the property design.

There are a great many other historical landmarks in the city of Scottsdale that are worth checking out. Whether you take in a performance at the Kerr Cultural Center (an adobe building constructed in 1948) or want to learn more about Scottsdale’s ranching and agricultural significance with a visit to Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop (built in 1920 during the town’s developmental stages), there are plenty of opportunities to discover unique locations with rich histories and stories related to the emergence of Scottsdale.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, AZ.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to many publications. As a travel expert, Mr. Soland offers insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, AZ. http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/az/scottsdale/laser-spine-institute-reviews-2091721.htm

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, AZ.

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