Nestled in
the very heart of urban Phoenix, Willo was once the
epitome
of suburbia - a collection of subdivisions on the
outskirts of the small, but thriving metropolis of Phoenix.
The Willo neighborhood between 7th and Central
Avenues can be divided into two sections. J. P. Holcomb used
a Homestead Patent in 1878 to acquire and settle the
southern portion of Willo between Encanto Blvd. and
McDowell. Mr. Holcomb acquired the northern portion, between
Thomas Rd. and Encanto Blvd. in 1886 through a Timber
Culture Land Patent.
For the
next 20 years or so, the land was primarily for agricultural
purposes and lay on the outskirts of town. In the early
1900's, four subdivisions were platted, containing home
sites with long narrow lots. In the early 1920s, Home
Builders, a residential construction firm, built 41 homes in
the Bungalow style. During the mid to late 1920s Phoenix,
like the rest of the West, experienced tremendous growth and
a building boom.
Standards
were set for residential construction, and "exhibition
houses" (now called model homes) were developed to market
the new construction. Most of the building activity in Willo
during this period occurred in the N. Kenilworth and
Broadmoor subdivisions, and included a "Spanish Rancho Home"
exhibition house.
During the
1930's the Period Revival movement brought tremendous
variety in architectural styles, including Tudor Revival,
Greek Revival, American Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial
Revival and Pueblo Revival. However, the Depression brought
construction to a near standstill. The mid to late 1930s and
the development of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
brought construction back to Willo. Construction from this
period and later years often featured French Provincial and
Monterey styles, with an architectural design that would
eventually become what we know today as the Ranch Style
house. Construction was also more standardized due to the
influence of the FHA and other government-imposed standards.
Most of these newer homes are found in the northern section
of Willo.
In all, 22
separate subdivisions were platted and developed in Willo by
various entrepreneurs from the turn of the century up to the
beginning of WWII. Eventually, with the growth of Phoenix
over the last century, the individual subdivisions platted
by early developers were forgotten and the area blended into
one cohesive whole. Unfortunately, the amazing growth of the
city resulted in the encroachment of commercial development
on what were once quiet suburbs. In the 1980s, residents of
Willo successfully lobbied for status as a special
conservation district, achieving historic status and
assuring that this beautiful part of Phoenix history will be
preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
Visit
www.willohistoricdistrict.com
to keep informed on
community updates and community news
Willo Historic District. Phoenix Arizona
Desert Showcase
