Oldest Neighborhoods in Phoenix
Settled in 1867 by Confederate Civil War veteran Jack Swilling, the original reason for Phoenix’s settlement was its potential usage for farming. Despite being located in the Sonoran Desert, its canal system fostered a prosperous farming community whose breadwinners were alfalfa, cotton, citrus, and hay. In fact, these items carried the city’s economy all the way through World War II, when the economy began a shift towards high tech industrialization. Phoenix has come a long way since its humble agricultural beginnings; it currently ranks, perhaps surprisingly so, as the sixth most populous city in the United States. In honor of the progress that Phoenix has made as a city, we decided to take a look at a few of its oldest and most historic neighborhoods
Coronado Historic District
Designated in 1986 and part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the Coronado Historic District contains 83 historic buildings. The area was developed in the early 1900s as “streetcar suburb” and features a wide variety of architectural styles. It was one of the first developments in the Valley designed for young working-class families.
Garfield Historic District
Developed from 1883-1955, the Garfield Historic District is comprised of roughly 800 households. It is characterized by modest bungalows, Period Revival homes, and unique “pyramid” style cottages. Garfield is also home to a thriving arts scene and is highly accessible to Roosevelt Row.
Oakland Historic District
Dating back to 1887, the Oakland Historic District is adjacent to the Arizona State Capital and also features the Oakland City Hall building, which is also featured on the National Register of Historic Places. This area has some of the most affordable historic homes in Phoenix. It features Bungalow-style homes with shaded front porches. The homes here are also a decent size, with most falling between 800 and 1,200 square feet.
Willo
Its land originally used for agricultural purposes towards the end of the 19th century, Willo began its transformation into suburbia in the early 1900s. It has been voted one of the top 10 cottage communities in the U.S., and features an extremely popular annual home exhibition tour. It is known for its lush greenery and accessibility to the light rail, cultural attractions, and businesses.
