Phoenix: Historic Neighborhoods

On my recent visit to Phoenix, I made a point of asking my host to drive me around some of the historic neighborhoods close to the downtown business district. These neighborhoods go by the names of Coronado, Roosevelt, Willo, Garfield, Encanto, and Palmcroft and they have some of the oldest homes in Phoenix. Apparently the Historic Preservation Office works hard to protect and enhance these neighborhoods and the houses in them so that their historic value and architecture can be enjoyed. The houses I saw ranged from the size of minuscule bungalows to handsome mansions.  Most of the houses are well maintained and very colorful. And each one is unique. Some of them don't look like they belong in the desert, whereas others have a definite southwest feel. Take a look at a few that I photographed... 

There are many, many more such homes in other neighborhoods around the downtown. There are also public house tours given which give one a better idea of what these homes look like inside and provide an explanation of how they came to be. These quaint houses in the historic districts are in stark contrast to the sprawling residences that are so commonly found in the newer housing developments. It's nice to see that these areas of Phoenix are being preserved and protected so that the city can hang on to this picturesque piece of history.