The History of Woodland Historic District in Phoenix, AZ
Historic Woodland District Phoenix History at the Turn of the Century
The only Neo-Colonial Eyrich home in Woodland Historic District Built in 1885
Woodland Historic District history in Phoenix dates as far back to 1885 to the mid-1930s. It was the first development outside the original townsite.
By the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, the days of uncertainty about Phoenix’ water supply were quickly coming to a close.
With the completion of Roosevelt Dam in 1911 imminent, the future prosperity of Phoenix was assured. By 1910 the population of the Valley had nearly doubled over the past decade to more than 10,000 residents.
This rise in population brought about a rapid shift in the economic makeup of Phoenix, transforming it from a primarily agricultural region to a retail and industrial center.
Fast Growth of Woodland
Over the next ten years, Phoenix grew quickly. Sewer lines were laid, roads were widened and paved, municipal utilities were established, and businesses of all types entered or expanded into the city.
It was during this period of extensive growth that many of Phoenix’ first subdivisions were constructed and annexed to the city. The Woodland District’s history marks the beginning of expansion of the original Phoenix townsite.
A 1931 Period Revival In Woodland
Neah’s Addition
In 1880, the first addition westward of the original Phoenix townsite was surveyed by Herbert R. Patrick and recorded by David Neahr.
This quarter section of property between 7th and 15th Avenues, south of Woodland Avenue and north of Gray Avenue became know as Neahr’s Addition.
The area now designated as the Woodland Historic District was developed in the early 1900’s through a replanting of three blocks in the northern section of Neahr’s Addition. Today the Woodland District is significant because it is a representative of Phoenix residential planning and expansion in the early twentieth century.
1916 Bungalow’s dominates the Woodland Historic District
Woodland Place and Other Early Subdivisions
Bounded by 13th and 15th Avenues on the east and west, and by Woodland and Adams on the north and south, the area contained 48 lots. Little building took place in the area until a housing boom in 1913-1914 almost filled the subdivision with Bungalow style houses.
Gray’s Subdivision
Woodland Place forms the western edge of the Woodland Historic district. Also recorded in 1893 was Gray’s subdivision – 24 lots facing 10th Avenue between Woodland and Adams.
This subdivision took longer to develop and it was not fully build up until the mid-1930’s. Gray’s Subdivision is the eastern portion of the Woodland Historic District.
Three other subdivisions make up the remainder of the district: Walker’s Subdivision, Athena Place and El Fresnal were recorded in 1806, 1910 and 1913 with 24, 20, and 10 lots respectively.
A 1911 Bungalow in Woodland Historic District
Woodland Park
The original developers of the Woodland neighborhood were influenced by the Beaux Arts concept of city planning. This included formally designed suburbs with extensive parks and boulevards. This planning philosophy, which was popular from 1885 to 1893, was responsible for the 1913 development of Woodland Park, one of Phoenix’ earliest city parks.
Designed to separate the residential areas along Woodland Avenue from the commercially oriented Van Buren Street, Woodland Park continues to be a significant element of character of the Woodland Historic district.
Architectural Styles
A 1908 Woodland Historic District Bungalow
Bungalow is the dominant architectural style found in the Woodland Historic district. Bungalows have simple, functional, one-story floor plans with broad front porches and broadly pitched overhanging roof gables.
Bungalows in Woodland are characteristic of the style can contain many good examples of craftsmanship. Typical of many of the historic districts homes in Woodland date from as far back as 1885 to the mid-1930’s.
Woodland’s Significance to Phoenix
A 1901 Bungalow In Woodland District
As the first development to occur outside the original townsite, Woodland is historically important for its representation of the forces that shaped Phoenix at the turn of the century.
The district’s location, and layout provide physical expression of the concepts and practices that transformed the early settlement into a regional center.
Modest and Old Homes
Although limited in number and modest in scale, the houses of the Woodland Historic district are important for the range of building periods they represent. For example of historic construction methods, material and workmanship. Of particular note is the Eyrich House, located at 1015 West Woodland. Built in 1885, it is one of the oldest buildings in Phoenix today.
The Dunlap / Beach / Allen House of Woodland Historic District History
This house, located at 1526 West Monroe Street in the Governmental Mall Redevelopment area is a classic Bungalow built in 1916.
It’s significant due to three prominent early occupants: John T. Dunlap from 1916-1922, J.W. Beach from 1923-1929 and W. C. “Bill” Allen from 1930-1935. December 21, 2002.
Allen was born in Toxie, Alabama on January 1, 1918 and earned his Major status serving in the U.S Marine Corps. Allen served 26 years participating in the battles of Tinian Island, Marianas Islands and Iowa Jima.
He also served as adjutant to the Secretary of the Navy in Washington DC and settled in Phoenix where he contributed heavily to Woodland’s District and Streetscape.
Historical Information provided courtesy: Historic Preservation Office of the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department 200 West Washington Street Phoenix, Arizona 85003 (602) 261-8699