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Smurthwaite
House
The historic Smurthwaite House, designed by James M.
Creighton and built in 1897 for $2875, is an excellent example of Shingle
style architecture. In addition to the Rosson House, it is one of the
few remaining nineteenth-century buildings in Phoenix.
Originally intended for use as a boarding house, it was sold
in 1903 to Captain Trustrim Connell and his wife Anne as a private residence.
In 1938, Anne Connell deeded the house to Caroline Smurthwaite, whose
husband Charles was a collector and dealer in Native American art. Their
daughter Carolann owned the house until her death in 1982, when her will
requested that it be preserved and enjoyed by the public.
The
house was donated jointly to the Phoenix Art Museum, The Museum of
Northern Arizona and the Heard Museum. The three museums then
offered it to the City of Phoenix, which currently maintains the house
and the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park adjacent to it.
In 1991, the Heritage Fund approved a grant of
$50,000 to restore Smurthwaite House. In 1994, the 3000-square-foot
dwelling made a landmark journey of 26 city blocks from its original
site at 602 North Seventh Street to its current location at 1317 West
Jefferson Street. Restoration work began in May, 1998, and was
completed in June, 2001. On May 17, 2001, Smurthwaite House was
added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first floor of the house is furnished in late Victorian
style, thanks to generous contributions by donors. Smurthwaite House
serves as an archival library for information regarding historic cemeteries
throughout Arizona and also as the headquarters for the non-profit Pioneers'
Cemetery Association, Inc.
For a tour of the Smurthwaite House, Pioneer &
Military Memorial Park, or for further information, please call
602-534-1262.
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