Ruins in the Heart of Phoenix: Pueblo Grande Museum
In the shadow of one of the nation's busiest airports, along the Hohokam Expressway and the new light rail route, sits one of Arizona's most accessible archaeological sites. The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is much more than a museum with ruins. It is an active dig site on one of the largest of the 40 or so mound platforms discovered in the Salt River Valley.
The Hohokam were an agrarian people who turned the arid high desert of central and southern Arizona and northern Mexico into green farmlands and thriving villages. They lived in the region for nearly 1,500 years, between 1 C.E. and 1450 C.E. The first houses at the Pueblo Grande site, however, were not built until 450 to 500 C.E. The site was finally abandoned around 1450 when the Hohokam culture collapsed and the people mysteriously vanished. Hohokam, by the way, comes from a word meaning "those who have gone" or "all used up" in the language of the Pima Indians.
Although the Pueblo Grande village had been abandoned and forgotten for more than 400 years, the story of it's rediscovery and evolution into the Pueblo Grande Museum is intertwined with the history and development of Phoenix. The platform mound, along with 3 surrounding acres, were purchased in 1924 by former president of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society, Thomas Armstrong. He donated the land to the City, hoping to ensure it's preservation. That same year City Engineer Omar Turney convinced City administrators to purchase almost 10 more acres south of the platform mound. These acres contained the remains of the major irrigation canals which supplied most of the Hohokam villages on the north side of the Salt River with water.
Five years later, in 1929, Phoenix became the first city in the nation to have a City Archaeologist when administrators hired Odd Halseth. Halseth began construction of the first Museum building at Pueblo Grande in 1933. The building, made mostly of donated materials, was completed in1935 at a total cost of $14.95 (the cost of nails). Unfortunately, this early example of recycled or green building was replaced in 1974 with the truncated pyramid building that is now the Museum's main building.
Another 14 acres were added to the Pueblo Grande site by the time Halseth retired in 1960. The expansion included the ball court, excavated by David Hister, Halseth's successor, in the 1950's. It is one of two believed to have been built on the site. The trail system visitors follow through the site to prevent further damage to underground artifacts, was expanded between 1995 and 2002 to include the ball court and examples of Hohokam gardening and pit houses.
The Park of Four Waters, which included the remnants of the Hohokam irrigation canals was declared a National Landmark in 1963. The next year, 1964, the platform mound site was declared a National Landmark. The two sites were united and became a single National Landmark site covering more than 102 acres in 1974.
Since 1990, City Architect Todd Bostick has overseen an extensive mound stabilization project. Holes at the base of eroding walls were filled with a unique mixture of adobe mud and select excavations, some open since the 1940's were back-filled as part of the stabilization project.
The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is not the only historically significant site in Phoenix. In fact, remnants of Hohokam villages and irrigation canals can be found across the Valley. To protect such archaeological resources, Phoenix enacted a historic preservation ordinance during the 1980's. Other cities and counties have followed suit.
One of the most significant recent finds were the remains of nearly 40 pit houses, the most common type of housing used by the Hohokam, and two burial sites discovered during the construction of the new Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. Artifacts from this discovery are being kept in the secure, climate-controlled vault at the Pueblo Grande Museum during the 3 to 5 years it will take for complete the survey and analysis. No word yet on how many, if any of these artifacts will become part of the museum's permanent collection or ongoing exhibitions.
Visitors today can experience what life may have been like for the Hohokam people as the follow the trails through the archaeological park. They can also get a more detailed look into the Hohokam culture, including crafts, trade and even astronomy as well as architecture and farming practices through "The Hohokam: The Land and the People" exhibit in the Museum's long-exhibit hall. Afterwards, they can enjoy a cool drink at the nearby Cafe Zentro, lunch at Hap's PitBarbeque or dinner at the Stockyards.
More recent examples of Native American culture can be found at the annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indain Market. This year's market, scheduled for December 8 and 9, 2007, marks the 30th anniversary of the event which has been recognized as "one of the Ten Best Markets in the Nation".
The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is located at 4619 E. Washington Street in Phoenix. Due to the light rail construction currently underway, the easiest way to get to the facility is to turn East off of 44th St. then turn south into the parking lot. Admission is free on Sundays, however hours of operation are only between 1 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. On all other days, hours of operation are between 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. with admission costing adults $2.00, seniors (age 55+) $1.50 and children (age 6 - 17) $1.00. Children under 6 years of age are always admitted free. Parking is also free. The Museum suggests allowing 90 minutes for your visit.
