Hillside Letters of Arizona

Have you ever noticed that lots of small towns in Arizona have the first letter of their city's name painted on a mountain? I have noticed these, and only recently did I discover that they have a name: hillside letters.

These hillside letters (or 'mountain monikers') are largely a western phenomenon. You won't find them east of the Mississippi River, but they are quite prevalent in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and even as far west as Texas. Not much is known about how or why the practice originated.

After scouring through my photo archives, it turns out that I have a number of these photos from around Arizona.

Here are some of Arizona's hillside letters that I have spotted:

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15 Historic Hotels in Arizona

When it comes to lodging, Arizona has some pretty unique hotels to choose from. Each of the ones on my list features a rich history that gives them character.

So without further ado, here is my list of 15 historic hotels in Arizona.

15. Hotel St. Michael

Opened in 1901 on the site of the former Hotel Burke (which burned down), the Hotel St. Michael quickly became the cornerstone of "Whiskey Row." The 3-story building was designed by D.W. Miller in the Second Renaissance Revival style.

The hotel has hosted many distinguished visitors including President Theodore Roosevelt, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain, Tom Mix, Zane Grey, and Senator Barry Goldwater.
(Description courtesy of Prescott Historical Society).

Opened: June 1, 1901
Address: 205 W Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301
Style: Second Renaissance Revival

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11 Historic Houses in Arizona

"A man's home is his castle" as the old saying goes. A home can also be a local landmark or an icon of a neighborhood in which it is located. 

Here is a list I have compiled of 11 historic houses in the great state of Arizona.

11. Douglas Mansion

The Douglas Mansion is located in Jerome, Arizona. Built in 1916 by James S. Douglas, this 8700 square-foot house features amenities such as electric lighting, polished concrete floors, and a central vacuum system. Today, this house is the headquarters for Jerome State Historic Park. Tours are available.

Year Built: 1916
Address: 100 Douglas Road, Jerome, AZ 86331
Style: Mission Revival

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6 Historic Courthouses in Arizona

While looking through my photo archives, I noticed that I have several pictures of historic courthouse buildings in Arizona. I haven't been to every county courthouse in Arizona, but I thought I would share with you the ones I have so far.

Built in 1928, the Maricopa County Courthouse is located at 125 W. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix. This Spanish Colonial Revival building was built to house both the county court and the city hall. It is still in use today by Maricopa County Superior Court.

Architect: Edward Neild (courthouse and exterior)
Contractor: Edwards, Wildey, and Dixon

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Maricopa Trail to Be Completed in 2015

Maricopa County has a lot to offer the outdoor enthusiast. There are 10 different parks that offer everything from hiking and walking to bicycling and horseback riding. Soon, these parks will all be connected by a network of trails known as the Maricopa Trail.

When it is completed in 2015, the Maricopa Trail will comprise 242 miles and connect 9 different parks and recreational areas together. These include:

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