Smurthwaite House, Maricopa County Travel Guide

4.9 (17)

Explore Phoenix's history at the Smurthwaite House, a beautifully restored 1897 Shingle Style home in the heart of Pioneer and Military Memorial Park.

The Smurthwaite House, built in 1897, is a rare example of Shingle Style architecture in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally a boarding house, it became a private residence and now serves as a visitor center and research source for the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park.

A brief summary to Smurthwaite House

1317 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, Governmental Mall, Arizona, 85007, US
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Monday 9 am-5 pm
Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
Thursday 9 am-5 pm
Friday 9 am-5 pm
Saturday 9 am-5 pm
Sunday 9 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Smurthwaite House.

Visit on Thursdays between 10 AM and 1 PM for public tours of the Smurthwaite House.
Explore the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, the final resting place of many notable Arizona pioneers.
Check the Pioneer's Cemetery Association website for special events and scheduled tours.

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Explore Smurthwaite House on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Smurthwaite House, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From the Arizona State Capitol, walk east on West Washington Street, then turn right (south) onto 13th Avenue. Walk one block south to West Jefferson Street. The Smurthwaite House is located on the south side of West Jefferson Street within the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. No costs are associated with walking.
Public Transport

Take the Valley Metro Rail to the 'Central Ave and Washington' stop. Transfer to the Valley Metro bus route 7 heading towards '7th Ave & McDowell'. Get off at the '7th Ave & Grand Ave' stop. From there, transfer to the Valley Metro bus route 7 heading towards '7th Ave & McDowell'. Get off at the '7th Ave & Grand Ave' stop. Walk west along Grand Ave for about 0.3 miles (approximately 6 minutes) until you reach the Phoenix Trolley Museum at 1117 Grand Ave. A single ride on Valley Metro costs $2.
Ride Share/Taxi

From downtown Phoenix, a taxi or ride-sharing service to the Smurthwaite House will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on traffic and the specific service used. The ride is approximately 2-4 miles.

Discover more about Smurthwaite House

Located within the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, the Smurthwaite House offers a unique glimpse into Phoenix's late 19th-century history. Built in 1897 by architect James Miller Creighton, the 3,000-square-foot house is a prime example of Shingle Style architecture, a design more commonly found on the East Coast. The house stands as one of the few remaining 19th-century structures in Phoenix.Originally commissioned by Dr. Darius M. Purman and his wife, Mary, the house served as a boarding house. In 1903, it was sold to Captain Trustrim Connell, a Medal of Honor recipient, and his wife, Anne. The Connell family owned the house for 35 years. It later passed to Caroline Smurthwaite and her daughter, Carolann, who lived there until her death in 1982. Carolann bequeathed the house to three Arizona museums.In 1994, the house was moved 26 blocks from its original location to its current site within the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. This move was necessitated by city construction plans. Today, the Smurthwaite House serves as the office for the historic Pioneer and Military Cemetery and a research source for state historic cemeteries. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Visitors can explore the house and learn about its history and the stories of those buried in the surrounding cemetery.