Search All Idylwilde Park Historic District Homes For Sale
Idylwilde Historic District is Bound by 11th and 12th Streets, Weldon and Fairmount Avenues in Phoenix, Arizona
Idylwilde Park Historic District homes are nestled in a small, hidden gem of a neighborhood.
There are only 34 homes and each hold an ownership interest in the 3-acre central oasis which is a private, communal park hidden entirely within the interior core of the district’s block.
Additionally, each home backs into its own and private part of the oasis that has a pool shared strictly exclusively by its residents.
It functions as a “secret garden” that is entirely invisible from the main roads. In addition to the 34 houses, there are two structures which are the shared community pool and park facilities.
About Idylwilde Park Homes
Idylwilde homes, built in the 1920s and 1930s, consist of Period Revivals, English Tudors, Spanish Colonial Revivals and Bungalows.
The square footage of these darling homes are about 1,200 on average.
A Small, Nominal Annual HOA
Unlike other historic districts in Phoenix, the Idylwilde Park Club does have an nominal HOA.
This is for shared maintenance expenses for the community native rock pool, the private park and water. It amounts to roughly a few hundred dollars per homeowner annually. However, the owners love the privacy and privilege.
Fun Past and Present Facts About Idylwilde Park Historic District
The Pool: Constructed from native rock during the neighborhood’s original 1928 development, the historic swimming pool serves as the crown jewel of the central oasis. It sits in the center of the hidden oasis with no public street access. It’s only reachable by walking through the private, gated access paths between the residents’ homes.
Miss Idylwilde Beautiful Pageant: To promote the neighborhood, developers held the “Miss Idylwilde Beautiful” beauty pageant in 1929, with Ercelle A. Caldwell crowned as the very first winner.
The Gazebo: Built in 1956, this structure added a new social centerpiece to the park long after the neighborhood’s initial 1928 launch. It continues to serve as the main outdoor gathering spot and social centerpiece for the community’s homeowners. Local real estate listings still describe it as a major neighborhood amenity alongside the historic 3-acre green lawn and native stone pool.
Idylwilde Water Well: A true, private artesian water well existed to supply the neighborhood’s native stone swimming pool with fresh water. It also irrigated the lush lawns, miniature golf course and accounts for the neighborhoods mature trees.
The well infrastructure remains today. It’s maintained by the Idylwilde Park Club as an inactive backup utility and a legally protected historic asset. The well and pump system are still preserved so the neighborhood has a self-reliant backup water source if a major municipal water main breaks or a city utility emergency occurs.
The Idylwilde Park Club: Formally incorporated in 1950, the Idylwilde Park Club manages the private assets of the district and collects nominal HOA fees to maintain the shared grounds.
Early Idylwilde Park Advertising
In October 7, 1928 The Arizona Republican aggressively advertised daily prior to the subdivision’s opening flaunting the private, 3-acre park.
Idylwilde Park Historic District Period of Significance:
- 1928 to 1941
- Historic Designation given in June, 1991
Homes For Sale In Idylwilde Historic District
