Papago Park is well-known for its unique red sandstone buttes, its hiking opportunities, and its proximity to three major cities in the Phoenix-metropolitan area. But did you also know that its 1,200 acres were once known as Papago-Saguaro National Monument? Yes, a national monument! Most people today don’t realize that keyword was removed from the park’s name back in 1930, or that it was the first of many national parks and monuments to lose their national status for a multitude of reasons. So, let's take a look at why this area lost its national status once upon a time; it's a lost national park in Arizona with a fascinating past.

Part of the homeland for the Hohokam, local tribes—the Maricopa and Akimel O'odham—and today’s American population, this area stood out among many other spots in Phoenix for a national monument status.

Rich in petroglyphs, archaeological sites, desert plant life, and scenic qualities, this area stood out from other areas within Phoenix.

In 1914, after a lengthy request from Arizona leaders like Carl Hayden and Ralph Cameron, about 1,700 acres surrounding Hole-in-the-Rock butte was designated Papago-Saguaro National Monument by President Woodrow Wilson.

The intention of this was to federally protect the archaeological sites, per the Antiquities Act of 1906, as well as create a scenic area for locals and tourism.

Despite the lofty designation, however, Papago-Saguaro suffered from severe funding issues, something that many parks are still struggling with today.

This prevented any significant preservation efforts from occurring and a severe lack of care uncalled for in a national park or monument.

It didn’t help that the area was also still considered of little value for many local residents. It was seen as a dry desert unsuitable for development, vandals took their share of artifacts and plant life, businesses and other groups painted the sides of Hole-in-the-Rock, and even livestock roamed the area freely as no fences were installed.

Unfortunately, this led to widespread complaints and debate over whether the area should even be federally protected.

Eventually, in 1930, Congress abolished Papago-Saguaro National Monument, deeming it unfit for a national monument and transferred ownership to the state and local city governments.

For a couple of decades, the area suffered a bit of an identity crisis. During the Great Depression, the park served as a camp for people seeking work relief through the Civilian Conservation Corps. A portion of the park was transformed into a German POW camp from 1943 to 1946 (from which 25 of the prisoners famously escaped then returned to after realizing they couldn’t survive for long in the desert). That area later became a VA hospital and training area for the National Guard.

In 1959, a significant portion of the original Papago-Saguaro National Monument was sold to the City of Phoenix, a portion went to Tempe, and another portion went to the Salt River Project.

Today, it is known as Papago Park, one of the largest municipal parks in Phoenix. It contains small hiking trails, a fishing lagoon, sports facilities, a golf course, and the Hall of Flame. While it may not be part of the original vision Hayden and Cameron had when requesting the area become a national monument, it is an area where a portion of Phoenix’s original natural beauty still manages to flourish.

Want to check out some other historic spots that just might be hiding near you? Check out our article, 13 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Arizona. What's your favorite Arizona national (or state) park? Tell us about it in the comments.