[Source: Arizona Republic] -- To appreciate Scottsdale's evolution from a small farming community to a popular arts colony and tourist destination, just head downtown. Both self-guided and guided tours are available of the city's historic buildings, concentrated in an area bounded by Indian School and Scottsdale roads, Second Street, and Drinkwater Boulevard. The Scottsdale Historical Society and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau have just published an informational brochure to take along on self-guided walking tours of 15 sites, beginning at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Scottsdale Mall and ending at the Scottsdale Public Library's Civic Center branch.Here are some key details about some of downtown Scottsdale's more famous old architecture:
- Cavalliere's Blacksmith Shop (pictured above): Built on the edge of town, the original building was tin. It was replaced by an adobe structure in 1920.
- Farmer's State Bank of Scottsdale (now the Rusty Spur Saloon): Scottsdale's first bank opened in 1921. It closed during the Depression and never reopened as a bank.
- First U.S. post office building (now Porter's Western Store): It was built in 1929. There was no home delivery at the time, so residents had to go to the post office.
- Johnny Rose's Pool Hall (now Mexican Imports): The building was constructed in 1923 of white glazed brick to set it apart. It was built for billiards and the showing of silent movies.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Old Adobe Mission Church: Built in 1933, the mission architecturally resembles the Mission of San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. The adobe blocks used, handmade on site, were composed primarily of native soil, straw, and horse dung.
- Scottsdale Grammar School (Little Red Schoolhouse): Constructed in 1909, the red brick structure was built at a cost of $4,500 as the first permanent school in Scottsdale.
