Idylwilde Park Historic District Phoenix AZ

Bounded by 11th and 12th Streets, Weldon and Fairmount Avenues.

Period of Significance: 1928-1941

The Idylwilde Park Historic District is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The district is bounded on the north by Fairmont Avenue, on the east by 12th Street, on the south by Weldon Avenue and on the west by 11th Street. The district is surrounded on all sides by residential development from the 1930s to the 1970s. The district consists of 42 residential lots built around the perimeter of a landscaped interior park. The park, 155 feet wide by 600 feet long, serves as a common rear yard. The residences face outward toward the streets, share a common setback and are all of similar scale. Each lot has a garage opening onto the rear alley which surrounds the park. A continuous double row of mature tamarisk trees form the boundary of the park, and many of the original Arizona Ash trees that line the exterior of the plat still remain. Architecturally the residences reflect the styles that were popular during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Eight of the residences were built on speculation by the builders as part of the initial development of the subdivision. Most of the remaining lots were sold and houses constructed upon them within the next few years, making the neighborhood a consistent reflection of the period of buildings. Sixteen of the houses are of the Bungalow style, nine are Tudor Revival Style, four are Spanish Colonial Revival, and three are other Period Revival influenced styles of the mid-193 Os. Many of the original one car garages reflect the architectural style of the house. Four single-story apartment buildings at the northern end of the subdivision were infill projects in the 1950s and 1970s and are considered non-contributing because of age. Three single family residences are non-contributing because of alterations not in keeping with the architectural style of the original house. Lots 20 & 21 were combined and one house was built on it.

Idylwilde Park was platted in 1928. It was a notable subdivision because it included a private park for homeowners only on the interior. Each property owner held a proportional ownership interest in this park which featured a swimming pool, pool house, baseball diamond, grape arbors, 2 brick barbecues, a miniature golf course, a tennis court, playground and extensive landscaping. The grape arbors, barbecues and miniature golf course no longer exist. An old-fashioned gazebo has been added to the pool area for neighborhood meetings. The developers of Idylwilde Park staged an extensive promotional event on opening day sales which focused on the park and featured a beauty contest called "Miss Idylwilde Park". The creation of the park was an effective marketing tool but also was a response to the growing national community development trends of the development of urban parklands. In 1927, the Phoenix Planning Commission required that all new subdivisions include space for parks and playgrounds. Playgrounds and opens space requirements also were being promoted by the National Association of Real Estate Boards as a way to enhance property values. The alleys are an integral part of the design of the subdivision. The original design of the subdivision had 50 feet wide lots with a length of approximately 115 feet. The small lot width make a front driveway very cramped so there were no front driveways planned with access to the garages planned from the alleys surrounding the interior park. Some properties have added front driveways because there is no off street parking. Many of the homes on 12th Street have had to add driveways because there is no on street parking permitted on 12th Street. The alleys are still very important to Idylwilde Park not only for utility easements, sanitation pick up and access to garages but because they are a place to take a stroll around the park, walk the dog and a pleasant, shaded place to visit with neighbors.

The Idylwilde Park Historic District exhibits a high degree of integrity as there have been minimal alterations to the original layout, setting and buildings in the district. Approximately 80% of the homes are considered contributing structures. This wide assortment of architectural styles and the unique interior park/recreation area contribute to the distinctive identity and visual character of the Idylwilde Park Historic District. See source for more detail.

Source: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/a54a91b3-ebdf-456c-8fca-5b6c277c7e3b