Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District of Phoenix

Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District

Period of significance 1920 – 1939

Like the rest of the country, Phoenix was “booming” in the 1920’s, its population soaring from a few thousand at the turn of the century to over 29,000. By this time, Phoenix had become the largest city between El Paso and Los Angeles, and was transformed from an agricultural area to a thriving retail, professional and governmental center. Suburban areas built during this period were inhabited by a population newly made mobile by the automobile, the desired mode of transportation for the average American family by the mid 1920’s. The Palmcroft and Encanto subdivisions not only reflect this trend towards suburbs planned for an automobile-oriented population, but they also incorporate a number of design influences which distinguish American communities developed between the two World Wars.

More than simply mass-planned subdivisions Palmcroft and Encanto are illustrative of the City Beautiful or Garden City designs, a fully realized comprehensive approach to suburban planning which includes a unification of architecture, community planning and landscape design. This approach has its roots in the 19^th century picturesque, romantic suburbs. These movements called for innovative street plans, ornamental light fixtures and parks integrated into the housing areas. There had been earlier attempts to develop attractive suburbs in Phoenix, but it was only when Dwight B. Heard Investment Company undertook the planning and construction of Palmcroft that a sophisticated garden suburb was successfully realized. Encanto surpassed Palmcroft in its ambitions, successfully integrating Encanto Park into the neighborhood design.

Dwight B. Heard, a New Englander who move to Chicago and then Phoenix in the late 1890’s was a central force in the development of Phoenix in the early 20^th century. A publisher, developer and political activist, Heard was a friend of Theodore Roosevelt and instrumental in the creation of the Roosevelt Dam. The Heard Investment Company purchased 80 acres north of McDowell bounded by 7^th and 15^th Avenues, from the half section estate of James W. Dorris in 1926. This parcel was split into two equal plats and the 40 acres east of 11^th Avenue were developed first. Heard’s associate in the Palmcroft development was William G. Hartranft, developer of the Kenilworth subdivision, pioneer advocate if city planning in Phoenix, and father of the city’s park system. Together with surveyor Harry E. Jones, they devised a plan for a highly-ordered scheme of curving streets contained in 1/16-section grids. A plat was filed on April 27^, 1927 and by the end of summer, streets had been graded and the first tow model homes completed.

The brochure for the subdivision asked, “why is Palmcroft the ideal?” and answered with descriptions of “contemplated palm bordered winding drives,” and its “quiet and clean” location “only five minutes by auto from downtown”. Sewer, gas, water, sidewalks, ornamental lights and palm trees were included with the price of a lot, which ran from $850 to $2000. Deed restrictions ran from $5000 for houses built on North 11^th Avenue and West Palm Lane, to $6500 on all other streets except W. McDowell, which was zoned for apartments and duplexes. Palmcroft proved to be an immediate success and a year later Heard set out to repeat it. A second Palmcroft, identical in planning and building restrictions was laid out west of the original Palmcroft on the second parcel of 40 acres between 11^th and 15^th Avenues. The new Palmcroft officially opened in early 1929.

Three of the most significant homes in Palmcroft should be noted for their influence over the entire area. The one-story brick structure at 1609 Palmcroft Drive SE was the first model home in Palmcroft. Build in 1921 on speculation by Heard and Hartranft, the Arizona Republican said “…considerable time and study has [sic] been spent on planning of the first two houses which will be built by the Heard Company as it is its intention to set a high standard for the homes to be erected in the new subdivision.”

The second model home also built in 1927, at 1808 Palmcroft Drive NW was designed by Phoenix Architect H. H. Green. The thick walls, entry porch and its arched window evoke the aura of Old Spain. Its imagery proved persuasive for most of the houses subsequently built in the two Palmcrofts were designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style.

The older house in the second Palmcroft, 1615d Palmcroft Way, SW is a Spanish Colonial Revival completed in 1928. It was built on speculation by the Heard Investment Company to promote sales in the second Palmcroft.

Encanto was the first major undertaking of Phoenix businessmen Lloyd C. Lakin and George T. Peter, who had sold their interest in the Arizona Grocery Company and the Pay ‘N Takit grocery chain to enter into real estate development. They developed a plot plan, recorded on October 2, 1928, with the same civil engineer, Harry E. Jones, who had surveyed the Palmcroft subdivision. Located north of Palm Lane, Encanto developed simultaneously with the new Palmcroft.

By the time of the formal opening on January 27, 1929, all public utilities had been installed, street graded and most cubes, gutters and sidewalks installed along with a unique underground irrigation system. Palms were planted along Palm Lane to match those on the Palmcroft side of the street.

Although the Encanto subdivision originally was intended to cover 80 acres bounded by 7^th Avenue to 15^th Avenue, Palm Lane to Encanto Boulevard, only the 40 acres west of 7^th Avenue were developed initially. The West Encanto Circle originally designed to be identical to the East Circle , was delayed by the Great Depression. Except for a few significant homes along Palm Lane West of 11^th Avenue and two on 11^th Avenue, built in 1932-33, these subdivisions experienced sever slow-downs in development. Housing starts ground to a halt.

As in the rest of the country, the federal government played a central role in reviving Phoenix’ economy. Programs of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) were first introduced to Phoenix in October 1934. In that same year, West Encanto was replatted and a number of acres were sold to the City of Phoenix of park land –hence designation West Encanto Amended for the area north of Palm Lane and west of 11^th Avenue.

Many of the houses in the Encanto-Palmcroft District were built in the years following using FHA-insured loans. The architectural style of Encanto’s model homes was distinctly “southwestern,” in contrast to the Period Revival Styles being built in Palmcroft. The building restrictions of Encanto went far beyond those of Palmcroft. The minimum cost restrictions for residences ran from $10,000 to $12,000 and only single family dwellings were permitted throughout the subdivision. Detailed instructions for building lines were also enforced in order to maintain consistent angled setbacks which followed the line of the streets. The house at 745 W. Monte Vista is notable because George T. Peter, one of the two developers of Encanto, lived in this home, on site for several years. Built in 1928 as one of the model homes, the unusual entry tower and its prominent location distinguish this Monterey style dwelling. At 1102 and 1106 W. Palm Lane are the first two homes constructed in that section of Encanto while it was still part of the overall scheme to fill the second Encanto Circle with houses.

The West Encanto Circle was originally conceived to be the mirror image of Encanto Drive, as Palmcroft Way is the mirror image of Palmcroft Drive. The Great Depression hit Phoenix with full force in 1932, the year these two homes were completed, and all building stopped.

For the most part, the residents of Encanot-Palmcroft were well to do rather than wealthy. The very rich were still living in older mansions closer to downtown, in established subdivisions like Los Olivos and on “Millionaires Row” along Central Avenue. Among the prominent Phoenicians living in Encanto Palmcroft were Nathan Diamond, co-founder of Diamond’s department store, O.D. Miller, produce magnate , state senator and gubernatorial candidate Lynn M. Laney, attorney and Board of Regents member, and automobile dealers Shadwell H. Bowyer and Claude Quebedeaux.

Inspired by Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and Balboa Park in San Diego, Encanto Park was modeled after the English Garden Parks which ere fashionable during the 1920’s and 30’s in urban planning and architecture. Winding roads, serpentine lakes and picturesque tree groves all contribute to the expression of a naturalistic romantic park. Encanto Park utilizes these elements in its lagoon system and plantings of exotic trees. Land acquisition for the park began in 1934 following the creation of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board on 1933.

Aided by a grant from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a total of 222 acres were purchased from the adjacent Dorris and Norton Properties and Lakin & Peter Investments. The WPA supervised the planning and construction of the park which proceeded over three years and was completed in 1938. The overall design of the park is probably attributable to William G. Hartranft, the first Parks and Recreation Board President, but the WPA very likely had a hand in it as well.

Another popular feature in the park was “Kiddieland”, an outgrowth of the children’s playground in the original park. Believed to be the oldest carousel in Arizona, the carousel in Kiddieland was moved to the park from California in 1934.

Today the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District is significant for its excellent representation of an early design philosophy which successfully integrated landscape and building. Architecturally, the district is one of the most important because it is an intact collection of the finest historic homes in the city. Well appointed, designed by prominent early architects, built of high quality materials and distinguished by detailing and craftsmanship of a bygone era, the harmonious mix of diverse architectural styles in Encanto-Palmcroft create one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Phoenix.

The houses in the Encanto-Palmcroft District share a common theme, trending towards the picturesque. Mass, materials, texture, and color were manipulated in a conscious attempt to emulate the asymmetry and sensuousness of nature. The result is both dramatic and understated. Many of the houses were constructed in traditional styles. Others were designed to invoke the romantic notions of past architectural periods. Several Phoenix based architects contributed to the district. Orville Bell and H. H. Green were among the most prolific. Additionally, the prominent firm of Lescher and Mahoney designed the original buildings for Encanto Park. Regional expression was also in vogue at this time. Not surprisingly, a wide range of styles is found in the district.

The styles of particular note are those influenced by southwestern traditions. Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean are the most predominant, although excellent examples of Pueblo Revival and Monterey Revival styles can also be found. Spanish Colonial Revival stylistic elements include low pitched roofs with little or no overhang, red tile roofs, prominent arches over doors and windows and porches, and an asymmetrical façade covered with stucco. An example of this style is the Nathan Diamond house, located at 2220 N. 9^th Avenue. Very similar are the Mediterranean or Neo-Mediterranean homes which usually have stucco walls, round arched window and doorways and tile roofs. Pueblo style dwellings were normally built of adobe or of brick stuccoed to resemble adobe. Like the Native American building traditions from which there are named, these homes featured flat roofs with the characteristic timber vigas, protruding timber ends that originally were part of the structural support of buildings of this style, were often only ornamental by this period. Low-pitched roofs with red tile also were used in conjunction with this style as it developed. Two fine examples of the Pueblo Revival Style in the district are located at 2040 Encanto Drive Southeast and 702 W. Monte Vista Road. Monterey Revival is essentially a fusion of Spanish Colonial and American building styles which developed in Monterrey, California. It is characterized by a generally symmetrical, two-story, rectangular building and full projecting porches at the second story. The Pafford house, located at 1021 W. Encanto Boulevard is a good example of this style.

Information and history provided by the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation office.