Did you know that there are over 1,500 Arizona sites on the National Register of Historic Places?
This list, established by the National Preservation Act of 1966, includes historically significant sites in American history, archaeology, architecture and culture, which are recognized for preservation purposes at national, state and local levels. Historic property records can be accessed through the National Register’s online database. Records for properties designated through 2012 are in a searchable table, while records since 2013 are available in NPGallery.
It’s time to embark on a historical adventure. Here are five ways to explore Arizona’s history using the National Register:
1. Get to know a community
Founded in 1925, the unincorporated town of Randolph in Pinal County, AZ, was originally promoted as a rival to Phoenix. Named in honor of Epes Randolph, Vice President of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Randolph became a home for Black families migrating from the midwest and south during the Great Migration of the 20th century. Listed on the National Register in 2024, it is recognized as Arizona’s oldest primarily Black community.
2. See a show
Built in a Spanish Baroque-style in 1929, the Orpheum Theater in Phoenix, AZ, provided a new destination for entertainment seekers. Acquired in 1969 by members of the Corona family, who had immigrated from Mexico, the theater began showcasing Spanish-language films and Hispanic acts. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Orpheum became a gathering place for the local Chicano community. Listed on the National Register in 1985, the theater is now owned by the City of Phoenix and continues to provide community entertainment.
3. Learn about policy
In 1933, Window Rock, AZ, was selected as the new headquarters for the Navajo Nation’s tribal government. The Navajo Nation Council Chamber, constructed in 1935 with funding from the Public Works Administration, features a design that incorporated Indigenous materials. Used continuously for legislative sessions with council delegates and other governmental activities, the Chamber was listed on the National Register in 2004.
"Navajo Nation Council Chamber National Historic Landmark plaque, January 2019" by Steven Baltakatei Sandoval is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
4. Witness history
The Swindall Tourist Inn, also known as the Swindall House, in Phoenix, AZ, was originally constructed as a private residence in 1913, and became a boarding house in 1920. From 1920-1945, a period when Black visitors were prohibited from most Phoenix hotels, the Swindall Tourist Inn provided much-needed housing for the Black community. While the Inn was not widely advertised, it was included in the Green Book, a critical resource for Black travelers. The Inn was listed on the National Register in 1995 and is currently used for office space.
"Phoenix- Swindall Tourist Inn-1913" by Tony the Marine (talk) is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
5. Appreciate architecture
The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ, was envisioned and commissioned by artist Marguerite Brunswig Staude as a memorial to her parents. Designed in a Modernistic style by San Francisco architects Anshen & Allen and completed in 1956, the Chapel has been lauded for its architectural design, engineering achievements and unique setting within Sedona’s desert landscape. Listed on the National Register in 2011, the Chapel of the Holy Cross remains open today for worshippers and visitors alike.
To dive deeper into the National Register of Historic Places, check out the previous post, Preserving America’s Cultural Touchstones: the National Register of Historic Places.
-Janelle Nash, Collections Services Supervisor, Government Information