Duppa Homestead: Phoenix's Oldest Relic

The Duppa Homestead, located just south of downtown Phoenix, is a tangible link to the city's origins. Constructed around 1870, the small adobe structure is considered the oldest surviving building in Phoenix. It was built by Lord Darrell Duppa, a well-traveled and educated Englishman who is credited with naming both Phoenix and Tempe.Duppa, along with Jack Swilling, recognized the agricultural potential of the Salt River Valley. Taking inspiration from the ancient Hohokam canal system, they devised a plan to irrigate the valley. Duppa homesteaded 160 acres in 1871, marking one of the first land grants in the territory. The building itself was likely an agricultural outbuilding on his ranch. The walls are constructed of adobe brick, and the roof utilizes cottonwood tree branches and mud, showcasing typical construction methods of the era.Today, the Duppa Homestead is owned by the city and listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register as a rare 19th-century agricultural outbuilding. While it's surrounded by a chain-link fence and modern development, the homestead serves as a reminder of Phoenix's humble beginnings.