Polly Rosenbaum Building, Maricopa County Travel Guide

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Explore Phoenix's Polly Rosenbaum Building: a historic landmark blending Exotic & Moorish Revival architecture, named after Arizona's 'First Lady of the Legislature'.

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Polly Rosenbaum Building

The Polly Rosenbaum Building, formerly the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, is a historic landmark in Phoenix, Arizona, showcasing Exotic Revival/Moorish Revival architecture. Originally built in 1921 for the El Zaribah Shrine, it later housed the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum and is named after a long-serving Arizona House Representative, Polly Rosenbaum.

A brief summary to Polly Rosenbaum Building

1502 W Washington St, Phoenix, Governmental Mall, Arizona, 85007, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Polly Rosenbaum Building.

Check for events. The Polly Rosenbaum Building is sometimes used for state events.
Note the architecture. The building is a unique example of Exotic Revival/Moorish Revival style.
Visit nearby attractions. The building is located in the Governmental Mall area, close to other state government buildings.

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Explore Polly Rosenbaum Building on the Map

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Getting There

Public Transport

The Polly Rosenbaum Building is accessible via Phoenix's public transportation system. Valley Metro Bus has numerous routes that stop near the building. Use the Valley Metro app to plan your route and track bus arrival times. A single ride costs $2, and an all-day pass is $4.
Walking

The Polly Rosenbaum Building is located near downtown Phoenix and the State Capitol Complex. If you are in the area, it is easily accessible by foot. From the Capitol, walk west on Washington Street to 15th Avenue.
Driving

If driving, take I-10 to the 19th Avenue exit. Head north on 19th Avenue, then turn east onto Washington Street. The Polly Rosenbaum Building will be on your right. Limited street parking is available. Check nearby parking garages for paid parking options. Parking costs in downtown Phoenix can range from $8-$20 per day.

Discover more about Polly Rosenbaum Building

The Polly Rosenbaum Building stands at the corner of 15th Avenue and Washington Street in Phoenix, Arizona, a testament to the city's architectural heritage. Constructed in 1921, the building initially served as the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, designed by Lescher & Mahoney and built by Clinton Campbell. Its architectural style is a blend of Exotic Revival and Moorish Revival elements, making it a unique structure in the area.Originally, the building was a hub for the El Zaribah Shrine unit, a local Shriners organization formed in 1896. In the late 1980s, the Shriners relocated, and the State of Arizona acquired the building. It then became home to the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum in October 1991. The building was renamed the Polly Rosenbaum Building in honor of Polly Rosenbaum, a dedicated member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Rosenbaum, in collaboration with Governor Rose Mofford, championed the acquisition and renovation of the building to permanently house the state's mineral collection and archives.Polly Rosenbaum (1899-2003) was a teacher and Arizona's longest-serving state legislator, representing Gila County in the Arizona House of Representatives for 46 years. She was known for her support for education, libraries, museums, and historic preservation.While the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum was planned to become the Arizona Centennial Museum in 2012, the plans and funding did not materialize, and the building was left vacant. The Polly Rosenbaum Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.