North Central Avenue in Phoenix
A Bit of History
North Central Phoenix is a remarkable section of Phoenix valley. North Central has a rich vibrant and interesting history in which it was able to create a unique sense of place.
While the boundaries of North Central Phoenix are up for discussion there are certain aspects which are ingrained and certain. North Central Avenue is one of these: it's truly the start of North Central Phoenix, the epicenter from which the area grew out of: an arterial transportation route.
While this are has changed quite a it over the last century many of the original characteristics remain: the historic homes and Murphy's Bridle Path amongst them.
The following is an excerpt from the City of Phoenix Planning Department study on North Central Avenue. Where ever there is lettering in red, it is a hyper link to a related article about that subject, that we have written.
"Development of the North Central Avenue area began in 1895 when William J. Murphy platted the Orangewood subdivision.
This two-square mile area bounded by what are now Northern Avenue and Bethany Home Road, between 7th Avenue and 7th Street was promoted as the Orangewood Residential Village. Murphy’s concept about Orangewood was to create a suburb of Phoenix “wherein might be established rural homes at an easy distance from the city.”
He believed that the large lot size would attract upper income residents of Phoenix, wealthy outside investors and immigrants who would utilize the lots to build large estate homes surrounded by citrus groves.The subdivision was divided primarily into 20-acre size lots with Central Avenue extending through the property as the subdivision’s principal roadway.
Olive and ash trees were added along both sides of Central Avenue with citrus trees from Southern California planted on the interior portions to make the subdivision more attractive to new investors andhomeowners.
The exclusivity of Orangewood was evident in that at the turn of the 19th century, the Central Arizona Driving Association arranged to have Central Avenue deeded as a “driving street” for property owners to drive their horse-drawn buggies.
There was even a separate path on the east side of Central Avenue for horses and riders only.Keeping with the rural agricultural estate concept established by Murphy, J.M. Evans platted and recorded Evans’ Addition to Orangewood in 1897.
Located directly south of Orangewood, Evans’ Addition was bounded by Bethany Home Road to the north, Camelback Road to the south, and 7th Street and 7th Avenue to the east and west. The addition featured four large neighborhood blocks divided further into 20 smaller blocks. (editors note: this is where you'll find the two Phoenix historic districts: Medlock Place Historic District and Windsor Square Historic District.)
Key Events in Development of the North Central Avenue area:
1895 – Orangewood Subdivision platted by William J. Murphy. 1897 – Evans’ Addition to Orangewood platted by J.M. Evans.
1895-1910 – Central Avenue maintained by the Central Avenue Driving Association as a private road.
1910 – Maricopa County Board of Supervisors declared Central Avenue a public highway.
1911-42 – Orangewood and Evans’ Addition were subdivided into smaller five to fifteen acre tracts.
1920s – Central Avenue paved with concrete as a 22-foot wide roadway.
1941 – Last of the original Orangewood lots were sold.
1940’s – North Central Avenue characterized by suburban homesites on large, landscaped garden lots with substantial homes and estates.
1945-50’s – During the post World War II housing boom, large lots were further subdivided and developed with ranch style homes.
1948 – The horse path on the east side of Central Avenue officially named by the Arizona Horse Lovers Club as “Murphy’s Maricopa Bridle Path.”
1951 – Maricopa County Board of Supervisors extended the Bridle Path from the Arizona Canal to Camelback Road. Road widening in later years returned the terminus to Bethany Home Road.
1959 – North Central Avenue area annexed into the city of Phoenix.
1963 – Aleppo pines were planted to replace the original ash trees on Central Avenue. 1963 – Phoenix City Council rejected plans to bury the SRP irrigation lateral and widen the street declaring that Central Avenue should remain unchanged with its parkway character and the bridle path on the east side.
1972 – Responding to neighborhood objections, the Aleppo pines were replaced with ash trees. These trees still remain.
1977 – City Council Resolution 14895 was passed stating that the Bridle Path shall not be paved over with concrete or asphalt for new driveways to the residences.
1991-93 – Original William H. Brophy Estate, one of the last ten acre parcels in North Central Avenue area, redeveloped as La Reserve, a 36-unit gated residential project.
Architectural Character
The architectural diversity of North Central Avenue contrasts with the uniform architecture found in newer developments being built throughout the city. Central Avenue homes display a unique collection of architectural styles that use a wide range of building materials, textures and colors. Custom homes, some dating back to the early 1900’s, are interspersed throughout the area.
These reflect the original owners’ personal styles, the building periods and development trends, or mimic architectural styles found in other parts of the country.
Historic Designation
Part of the North Central Avenue character is its many properties of historic interest.
In 1991 and 1993, the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office conducted two surveys in the area: Phoenix: Rural & Estate Architecture Survey and the more focused North Central Corridor Estate Survey, respectively.
In the North Central Avenue area, 55 properties were identified as eligible for historic designation. From those surveys, three properties have been listed in the Phoenix Historic Property Register, two on the National Register of Historic Places, and one on both registers.
These properties are subject to the standards of underlying zoning district. However, the Historic Preservation district sets procedures for the alteration or demolition of designated properties. Also noted are two nearby neighborhoods with historic overlay designation.
North Central Avenue residents value the area’s historic amenities: the diverse residential styles, a tree-lined central corridor close to downtown, and a shaded recreational path. North Central Avenue is a picturesque street with large homes built in a variety of periods and styles adjacent to a well-maintained canopy shading the street and the recreational users on Murphy Bridle Path.
The distinctive ambiance of North Central Avenue is enjoyed by daily commuters between Sunnyslope and downtown, as well as area residents and visitors."
North Central Phoenix and Central Avenue are truly wonderful places. I appreciate that fact that over time residents and city of officials with sense had the fortitude to preserve it.
Photos Above:County Road Circa 1890 - Phoenix Museum of History Central Avenue at Murphy Drive, 1915 - Arizona Historical Foundation North of Bethany Home Road, 1930s - McLaughlin Collection - Arizona State University North Central Avenue, 1950s - Susan Sargent Postcard Collection Central Avenue 2004-Murphy Bridle Path 2004See what homes are for sale in North Central Phoenix.
