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Structures and Monuments
in Which Arizona Stone was Used

  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Arizona
    • On U.S. 66 at the junction with State 63 (At 50.1 m.) – The Petrified Forest Administration Building. The Petrified Forest Administration building was "constructed of local sandstone, has a central hall containing the finest stone specimens from all parts of the reserve, many polished to display their brilliant hues."
    • Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, Arizona - the Cochise/Geronimo Clubhouse. Stone veneer used in the exterior of the club is natural to the area. A total of 4,255,000 pounds of "Hualapai Chocolate" sandstone from Ashfork, Arizona was used. (completed about late 1992) (The link from which this information was obtained is no longer available.)
      <http://services.golfweb.com/tour/spga/trad/clubhse.htm>
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – the Arizona State College (buildings constructed just before 1961)  (Stone In Arizona, by Roland C. Townsend, Consulting Geologist, Phoenix, Arizona, 1961, pp. 16)

      “Sandstone from the Moenkopi formation (Triassic) has been used extensively for construction in Northern Arizona and has been shipped out of Arizona as building stone…Fairly new buildings on the campus of Arizona State College at Flagstaff are made of sandstone from the Moenkopi formation.”

    • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse
      • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse – According to the article, “Solid as the Rock,” written by Nikki Buchanan, for Arizona Highways:

        Master stonecutter William England oversaw construction of the Coconino County Courthouse) built it in 1902, using Coconino and Moenkopi sandstone to create a striking red-and-white-patterned exterior….”

    • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse Sandstone Detail – A close-up photograph of the red sandstone used in the construction of the Coconino Courthouse, is available on Flickr. (photograph)
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse – According to the article, “A history in stone uncovered” (by Betsey Bruner, Daily Sun Reporter, July 28, 2010), the Arizona Red, Moenkopi sandstone, used in the construction of the Coconino County Courthouse. (photographs & history)
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse – According to the article, Arizona Red:  Red Rock and Brownstone (by David B. Williams, Blog/Geology Writer, August 5, 2010) Arizona Red, Moenkopi sandstone was used in the construction of the Coconino County Courthouse. (photographs & history)
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – Coconino County Courthouse – “Arizona Red, A Once-popular Building Stone.”  Moenkopi Sandstone, known as Arizona Red because of its color, is widespread in northern Arizona. It was once a popular building stone quarried in Flagstaff, Arizona,” Posted by Kevin Schindler on Mar 29, 2010.  (photographs & history)
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – the Coconino County Courthouse – Exterior Wall & Entrance Wall  (Stone In Arizona, by Roland C. Townsend, Consulting Geologist, Phoenix, Arizona, 1961, pp. 13)

      The photograph caption on pp. 13 states:  “Old and new – Tower of Moenkopi sandstone, and new wall of Coconino sandstone.”

    • Flagstaff Visitors’ Center/Amtrak Depot of Red Sandstone (photographs and history) This link was presented by the Arizona Rail Passenger Association. (The link for this Amtrak Depot of red sandstone is no longer available.)
      < http://archive.azrail.org/station/az/flagstaff/index.htm>
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – the England House Bed & Breakfast – Sandstone House & Stone Fence, located at 614 West Santa Fe Ave, Flagstaff, Arizona (photograph and history)

      When I first found the England House online, it was known as Lynn’s Inn Bed & Breakfast.  It was described as an historical sandstone house built by owned and built by a local stone cutter.  The information about the England House Bed and Breakfast stated:  “(The England House) is listed on the National Historic Register, is centrally located in Flagstaff, just a short walk to the Downtown Main Street Historic District…This unique (Victorian) sandstone two-story homestead style home was built in 1902 from materials excavated from a local (sandstone) quarry by the England family.”   Laurel and Richard Dunn took over the house in 2003. 

      The England house belonged to William England and Barbara Michelbach-England. Coconino and Moenkopi sandstones were used by William England, a master stone cutter, to build the house about 1902. 
    • Flagstaff, Arizona - the Northern Arizona University (NAU). Seven buildings of NAU's north campus, including Old Main. Between 1894 and 1935, Northern Arizona University's Old Main and seven other buildings on the north campus were constructed with locally quarried Moenkopi sandstone. (This link is no longer available.)
      <http://www.flagstaff.az.us/visguide/main/intin.htm>
    • Flagstaff, Arizona - Old Main (photograph and history). Presented by the City of Tempe. The building was constructed with native granite from Tempe Butte and red sandstone from the famous Flagstaff quarry.
    • Flagstaff, Arizona - the Pioneer Historic Museum - Arts and Culture This site is presented by the Flagstaff Chamber of commerce. The Pioneer Historic Museum, built of native sandstone. (This link is no longer available.)
      <http://www.flagstaffchamber.com/community/moving.cfm?page=arts>
    • Phoenix Arizona - Hilton Suites - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Hilton Suites in Phoenix, Arizona, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
    • Phoenix, Arizona - Paradise Village Shopping Center - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link from which this information was obtained is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.htm>
    • Phoenix, Arizona – the Phoenix City Hall – According to the article, “Continuing the tradition of sandstone,” by Jill Critchley, Stone World, April 18, 2001, red Arizona sandstone was used in the construction of the exterior of the building.
    • Phoenix, Arizona – the Phoenix Courthouse – According to the article, “Continuing the tradition of sandstone,” by Jill Critchley, Stone World, April 18, 2001, red Arizona sandstone was used in the construction of the exterior of the building.

      “The nine-story, 300-foot long building showcases red Arizona sandstone on the full front of the building, which is the primary entrance…‘Each piece of stone was either 30 x 48 inches or 24 x 36 inches, and they were set on with kerf cut wire clips in a fairly traditional manner. The stone is anchored to a sub-structure of steel studs and water-resistant sheathing. The masons worked their way from top to bottom. The dimensional stone was cut at the quarry, but the anchor kerf slots were cut onsite.’”

    • Phoenix, Arizona – the Arizona State Capitol  (Stone In Arizona, by Roland C. Townsend, Consulting Geologist, Phoenix, Arizona, 1961, pp. 31)

      According to this article, Arizona “contains an unlimited supply of granite as a rock type…For many years, granite has been used as a building stone and for monuments within Arizona, but out-of-state markets have not been developed.  Probably the largest use has been for public buildings, such as the Yavapai County Court House in Prescott, and parts of the state capitol in Phoenix.”

      • Phoenix, Arizona - the State Capitol, presented by the Arizona Capitol State Museum site.(The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
        <http://www.azcama.com/museums/capitol.htm>

        The building of the capitol was built with Arizona stone. The foundation was built using Malapai rock from Camelback Mountain; the first floor was built with granite from South Mountain; and the second, third, and fourth floors were built with tuff (or tufa-stone) from Yavapai County. (The Teacher Resource Guide covers the history of Arizona, including the Arizona State Capitol.)

    • Prescott, Arizona – the Yavapai County Court House  (Stone In Arizona, by Roland C. Townsend, Consulting Geologist, Phoenix, Arizona, 1961, pp. 31)

      According to this article, Arizona “contains an unlimited supply of granite as a rock type…For many years, granite has been used as a building stone and for monuments within Arizona, but out-of-state markets have not been developed.  Probably the largest use has been for public buildings, such as the Yavapai County Court House in Prescott, and parts of the state capitol in Phoenix.”

    • Scottsdale, Arizona - Fashion Square Shopping Center / Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Fashion Square Shopping Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
    • Wupatki National Monument– Buildings of Moenkopi Sandstone (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
      <http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jmerck/arizonasite/imagepages/wupatki1.html>

      At Wupatki National Monument, the buildings in the historic district are made of the red Early Triassic (locally quarried) Moenkopi sandstone.

  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in California
    • Flagstaff, Arizona – the United States Post Office  (from “The McGilvray Family History,” by Basin Research Associates, Inc., August, 1989.  Used with the permission and courtesy of Basin Research Associates, Inc., San Leandro (www.basinresearch.com) and the City of San Francisco Planning Department)
    • The McGilvray-Raymond Granite Company provided Arizona Sandstone for the construction of the United States Post Office, according to “The McGilvray Family History.”

    • San Francisco, San Francisco County, California – Golden Gate Park Lodge, Stanyan & Fell  (from “The McGilvray Family History,” by Basin Research Associates, Inc., August, 1989.  Used with the permission and courtesy of Basin Research Associates, Inc., San Leandro (www.basinresearch.com) and the City of San Francisco Planning Department)

      The McGilvray-Raymond Granite Company provided Arizona Sandstone for the construction of the Golden Gate Park Lodge, according to “The McGilvray Family History.”

    • San Francisco, San Francisco County, California – the Pacific Union Club, located opposite Fairmont Hotel, California Street  (from “The McGilvray Family History,” by Basin Research Associates, Inc., August, 1989.  Used with the permission and courtesy of Basin Research Associates, Inc., San Leandro (www.basinresearch.com) and the City of San Francisco Planning Department)

      The McGilvray-Raymond Granite Company provided Arizona Sandstone for the construction of the Pacific Union Club, according to “The McGilvray Family History.”

    • San Marino, Los Angeles, California - Arizona Stone Used in the Huntington Botanical Gardens - "Huntington Botanical Gardens / Stones Tour"
    • Santa Ana, Orange County, California – the old Orange County Courthouse (Photograph) [(c) Mark H. Shapiro, used by permission.] (Below is one of the photographs of the old Orange County Courthouse taken by Mark Shapiro, and they are presented on webshots.com by Mark Shapiro. There are a total 7 photographs of the courthouse in the album.)
    • “The old Orange County Courthouse at 211 West Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana, CA. Constructed of Arizona red sandstone and granite in 1900, it is the oldest courthouse building in southern California.” [(c) Mark H. Shapiro, used by permission.] Old Santa Ana Courthouse, Santa Ana, CA, by Mark Shapiro.

      The following text below was taken from a plaque mounted on a boulder at the Orange County Courthouse:

      “Orange County Courthouse built in 1900 of Arizona red sandstone, this is the oldest existing county courthouse in southern California. Significant and far-reaching court decisions were handed down here, including the ‘Whipstock’ case which dealt with slant oil drilling, interpretation of farm labor law, and the Overell trial resulting in law regulating explosives.

      “California Registered Historical Landmark 837

      “Plaque placed by the Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Let’s Improve Santa Ana (U.S.A.)

      “March 11, 1970”

    • Santa Monica, California - Columbia Records. Use of Arizona Flagstone/sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at Columbia Records, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
    • Santa Monica, California - Epic Center. Use of Arizona Flagstone/sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Epic Center, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
    • Santa Monica, California - the Sony Complex. Use of Arizona Flagstone/sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Sony Complex, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
    • Woodland, Yolo County, California – the Farmers and Merchants’ Bank Exterior (history) The following information is presented on the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo, web site; Crafting a Valley Jewel: Architects and Builders of Woodland, by David L. Wilkinson, Yolo County Historical Society, 2003, pp. 16.

      According to David L. Wilkinson, the Farmers and Merchants Bank was “dressed in red Arizona sandstone.” It was constructed in 1894 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, designed by Joseph Hall. The Farmers and Merchants’ Bank building, which had undergone name changes through the years, was demolished in 1970.

  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Colorado
    • Denver, Colorado - the First National Bank Building

      According to the article, “Marble Quarrying in Arizona” (in PDF format) (published in Mine and Quarry magazine, Sullivan Machinery Co., Publisher, Chicago, Illinois, Vol. V., No. 2, October 1910, pp. 440-443), the first National Bank building in Denver, Colorado, and the bank buildings at Champaign, Illinois, and Missoula, Montana, were constructed of this Arizona marble.

  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Hawaii
    • Maui, Hawaii - the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Use of Arizona Flagstone/sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Maui, Hawaii, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Illinois
    • Champagne, Illinois - Bank Building Champaign, Illinois

      According to the article, “Marble Quarrying in Arizona” (in PDF format) (published in Mine and Quarry magazine, Sullivan Machinery Co., Publisher, Chicago, Illinois, Vol. V. No. 2, October 1910, pp. 440-443), the first National Bank building in Denver, Colorado, and the bank buildings at Champaign, Illinois, and Missoula, Montana, were constructed of this Arizona marble.

    • Vermont Hills, Illinois - the Buckle Store - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Buckle Store at Vermont Hills, Illinois, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Iowa
    • Des Moines, Iowa - the Buckle Store - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Buckle Store at Des Moines, Iowa, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Louisiana
    • Lewisville, Louisiana - the Buckle Store - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Buckle Store in Lewisville, Louisiana, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Montana
    • Missoula, Montana – Bank Building in Missoula, Montana

      According to the article, “Marble Quarrying in Arizona” (in PDF format) (published in Mine and Quarry magazine, Sullivan Machinery Co., Publisher, Chicago, Illinois, Vol. V. No. 2, October 1910, pp. 440-443), the first National Bank building in Denver, Colorado, and the bank buildings at Champaign, Illinois, and Missoula, Montana, were constructed of this Arizona marble.

  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Nevada
    • Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada - the Clark County Government Center (photographs and history). Antolini Red sandstone was used for the exterior of the building. Hualapai Chocolate was also used extensively as exterior cladding. Dunbar Stone Co. supplied the stone from their quarries in Nevada and Arizona. In addition, Broughton Moor slate from England was also used on the exterior. The slate was used as highlighting material. (The link from which this information was obtained is no longer available.)
      <http://www.imiweb.org/stonemagazine/DS4-15-C.htm>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in South Dakota
    • Sioux Falls, South Dakota - the Buckle Store - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Buckle Store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Utah
    • Provo, Utah - the Buckle Store - Arizona Flagstone/Sandstone (The link that indicated that Arizona Flagstone was used at the Buckle Store in Provo, Utah, is no longer available.)
      <http://www.stoneinfo.com/products/azflagstone.html>
  • Finished Products from Arizona Stone in Washington, D.C.
    • Washington, D.C. - the Washington Monument Memorial Stones - the Arizona Memorial Stone, presented by the National Park Service (photograph and history)

      The National Park Service web site presents the memorial stones in placed in the interior of the Washington Monument. The Arizona Memorial Stone can be viewed on the National Park Service’s web site in either the “Album” or the “Slide Show.”

      The information and photograph of the stone from Alaska for the Washington Monument can found in “WAMO Stones Section 5.”

      Below is an description that was available on the National Park Service web site in January 2008 that describes the Memorial Stones in the Washington Monument.

      “A unique feature of the Washington Monument is the 193 memorial stones that adorn the interior of the monument. Starting in July 1848 the Washington National Monument Society invited states, cities and patriotic societies to contribute Memorial Stones. The Society listed some requirements to be followed. They asked that the stone be durable, a product of the state’s soil, and meet the following dimensions; four feet long, two feet high and 18 inches thick. These stones pay tribute to the character and achievements of George Washington. These traits are not only admired by Americans but by people the world over as seen by the number of stones donated by foreign countries....”

      “While viewing the stones please keep in mind that the Washington Monument has undergone extensive renovation over the last three years. A key component of the project has been the restoration of the memorial stones. Over the years the stones have been damaged by moisture and vandalism. The pictures that follow show the condition of the stones before their restoration. In the upcoming months new images will be added highlighting the restored stones.”

      The following information regarding the stone and photograph of the stone from Alaska in the Washington Monument can be found in WAMO Stones Section 5:

      “4. Later Installations, 1913-2000

      “In 1911, prompted by the fact that many western states were not represented in the monument, the Washington National Monument Society sent letters to these states requesting stones and providing instructions on size and guidelines for appearance (Figure 15). Between 1913 and 1928, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, South Dakota, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Idaho sent stones that were installed between the 290-ft. and 400-ft. levels.”

      Name: Arizona

      Level: 320-ft.

      Donor: State of Arizona

      Dates: 1924/1924

      Original materials: petrified wood, resin fills, gold leaf in letters

      Dimensions: 2’ x 4’ 10”

      Sculptor/Carver: not known

      Original inscription: Arizona

      Documented material history:

      1920: “There seems to have been trouble in orating [should be crating?] the rough stone for shipment to Los Angeles where it was to be cut and polished.” [MR]

      1924: “The patriotic work entrusted to us, the Daughters of the American Revolution of Arizona by our governor and State Legislature of financing and placing of Arizona’s State stone of petrified wood in the Washington Monument...was completed on Tuesday, April 15, 1924.” [Nina Roberts Smith, “Report of Arizona State Regent,” in Proceedings of the Thirty-third Continental Congress of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC, April 14-19, 1924, p. 227.]

      1939: “...[The Arizona stone] consists of three united cross sections of polished petrified wood with the word ‘Arizona’ written horizontally across the whole and the letters painted with gold leaf. It was seen that the lettering does not now have its original brightness and really needs renewal or freshening up a bit.” [“Arizona’s Contribution to the Washington Monument,” Extension of remarks of Hon. John R. Murdock of Arizona in the House of Representatives, February 15, 1939, Appendix to the Congressional Record, p. 542.]

      1939: “The Arizona Society of Washington, in conjunction with the National Park Service, will reletter the Arizona stone in the Washington Monument at 2 p.m. Saturday.” [“To Re-Letter Stone,” newspaper clipping, February 16, 1939 ; Entry 452, RG 42, NAB.]

      Additional documented material information: “The three logs of petrified wood come from the Chalcedony Forest, Holbrook, Arizona.” [MR]

      Images:

      • 1957 Allen photograph

      • 1974 photograph

      1980 photograph

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