East Alvarado Historic District Phoenix AZ

Generally located along Alvarado Road between Third and Seventh Streets.

Period of Significance: 1929-1942

The East Alvarado Historic District in Phoenix, Arizona is situated on a stretch of pavement less that a quarter mile in length. The original concrete road named East Alvarado is located between Third and Seventh streets and Monte Vista and Oak streets. Within that quarter mile, thirty homes make up the East Alvarado Historic District. This nomination is based on the "Historic Residential Subdivision and Architecture in Central Phoenix, 1912-1950" Multiple Property Documentation Form written by the City of Phoenix in 1994.

Domestic Architectural Design Inspired by the Federal Housing Programs of the Depression Era. 1935 to 1950.

Reflecting the transition from Period Revival architecture to more uniform housing favored by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), this historic district features uniformity in lot sizes, setbacks, and scale of structures. All have a similar front yard setback and many have an automobile garage on the rear third of the lot with access from the alley or along a side yard drive. The block features mature landscaping. Currently (1998) most houses are owner-occupied, with a handful of rental properties.

The first house (330 E. Alvarado) in the district was promoted by the real estate firm of Greene and Griffin and built by its construction partner, Home Builders, Inc. Built in 1930, this "spec" house showcased the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and featured intersecting roof planes, parabolic arch focal windows, and an arcaded veranda. Because of drastic changes in the economy, this 1930 "spec" house remained the only dwelling in East Alvarado until 1937. With assistance from the FHA and other government initiatives, most of the remaining buildings were built by 1945.

One of the most prolific architects and builders was Paul M. Burroway. The six houses he built (322, 331, 336, 341, 346, and 352 E. Alvarado) vary in architectural style but feature "weeping mortar" chimney designs and Flemish Rowlock brick work.

The houses in East Alvarado are generally known as "Early Ranch" or Minimal Traditional style. There are varied renditions of the Early Ranch. These include the Monterey-influenced Early Ranch. This style is recognized by a single story presented to the street as a long mass covered with a gabled roof. A veranda supported by plain or turned wood posts usually recessed under the principal roof and extended the length of the facade. Some porches featured wrought-iron porch columns. Doors were offset and mostly paneled.

Windows are steel casement located along the wall and decorated with wood shutters. Influence of the modern movement is seen frequently in the use of corner windows. The walls of the modern Monterey style house were almost always constructed of brick.

Houses designed in what was termed the "French Provincial" style were based loosely on the French Eclectic house designs of the 1920s. The house form and the detailing of this style were much more subtle and reserved than its predecessor. Sharing many of the same floor plans and shapes as the Monterey-style house, the French Provincial examples were covered with hipped roofs. The eaves were typically detailed with cornice molding at the roof-wall junction and had little, if any, overhang. Doorways were often offset, facing at right angles to the street. Porches were limited to overhangs or canopies or were small, attached roofs near the intersection of the houses' two main wings. Large chimneys were common elements on some of the homes. Bay windows were employed on some styles as well. Most designs included false shutters, usually louvered.

These remaining twenty-nine homes are more uniform in size and reflect the transitional period from Period Revival architectural style to more "suburban ranch" homes that would follow in neighborhoods in Phoenix. The houses are in excellent condition and have few alteration since construction.

Source: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/ab1ec44e-34a7-4307-9238-da6e3bb1c42d