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For over a thousand years, prehistoric farmers inhabited much of the present-daystate of Arizona. When the first Europeans arrived, all that remained of this ancient culture were the ruins of villages, irrigation canals and various artifacts. Among these ruins is the Casa Grande, or "Big House," one of the largest and most mysterious prehistoric structures ever built in North America. Casa Grande Ruins, the nation's first archeological preserve, protects the Casa Grande and other archeological sites within its boundaries.
Total size: 2,163 acres.
Location:
In Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour-long drive from either Phoenix or Tucson.
Historical Facts:
Inhabited by the ancient Hohokam people during their Classic period, about 1300 A.D., Casa Grande represents the emergence of an elite class in Hohokam society. Massive building projects, such as the Great House, characterized this time, as did exotic luxuries, ritual paraphernalia and elaborate burials. Among the most mysterious prehistoric structures in North America, the four-story Great House belonged to a collection of Hohokam settlements. It was abandoned by these desert farmers around the 16th century as their civilization declined.
Designation Date:
August 3, 1918, by President Woodrow Wilson (June 22, 1892, reserved for protection by Executive Order of President Benjamin Harrison)
Watch the Clip
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson awarded it National Monument status. The largest structure ever built by the Hohokam, Casa Grande is Spanish for "Big House."
>>Free software downloads: Windows Media - Quicktime
Windows Media file:
PC compatible
Low 173 KB | High 0.97 MB
QuickTime movie:
Macintosh/PC compatible
1.34 MB
Learn More:Casa Grande Ruins Facilities/NPS
Casa Grande Ruins Nearby Attractions/NPS
Casa Grande Ruins Accessibility/NPS
Casa Grande Ruins Activities/NPS
Casa Grande Ruins For Kids/NPS
Casa Grande Ruins Plan Your Visit/NPS
Managing Agency:
National Park Service
1100 Ruins Drive
Coolidge, AZ 85228
(520) 723-3172
