You’ll Want to Visit These 9 Houses in Arizona For Their Incredible Pasts

Wonder how people lived in Arizona before air conditioning became widely available? Here are some historic houses located across the state that not only provide tours of their premises but also shed some insight into how people lived in ages past.

1. Mystery Castle, Phoenix

Boyce Gulley started building this house in 1927 and continued working on it for 15 years until he died. The namesake comes from a secret trapdoor that Gulley requested not be opened until at least two years after his death.

2. Old Governor Mansion at Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott

This site actually has several historic homes on premises, including the first governor's mansion built in 1864. This place was quite the catch when it was first built, especially while other settlers lived in small shacks or boarding houses.

3. Pueblo Grande Ruins, Phoenix

One of the oldest examples of historic homes in Arizona, the Pueblo Grande Ruins sit a short distance away from several other historic homes in Phoenix. These once served as a home for the Hohokam, the ancestors of the O'odtham people who continue to live in the Phoenix area.

4. Riordan Mansion, Flagstaff

Built when Flagstaff was known as a logging and mining town, Riordan Mansion is an incredible example of the Arts and Crafts architectural movement of the late 19th century.

5. Rosson House, Phoenix

Found in the heart of downtown Phoenix and part of Heritage Square, Rosson House shows off a part of the city's Victorian past.

6. Taliesin West, Scottsdale

We're lucky to have several homes and buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright within the state but this building sits a little closer to our hearts. Taliesin West served as Wright's winter home, studio, and architectural school when he was away from the Midwest.

7. Tovrea Castle, Phoenix

Ever see that strange tiered cake-like building when driving down the 202? That's Tovrea Castle, originally meant to serve as a resort but later became a house to a local business tycoon.

8. The Victorian House at Pioneer Living History Museum, Phoenix

Located in the North Valley, the house and surrounding buildings provide a stunning sight of life for settlers in the 1890s.

9. Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix

Originally built as a silver wedding anniversary gift, this house underwent several different ownerships before it was finally bought by Hormel to be renovated. It now serves as an events facility and has a restaurant.

Do you have any hometown favorites that we missed? Share the houses and locations in the comments below.