Casa Grande Arzona: Free Travel Guide

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Casa Grande Pueblo

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Casa Grande National Monument

Grande Pueblo

Casa Grande Pueblo

Casa Grande was built by the Hohokum in the 1300's and named by Father Eusebio Kino, the first European to find and document the site, in 1694.¹ It has been protected by the US Government since 1889.

Casa Grande National Monument is located in Coolidge, Arizona. It is about 1 hour from Phoenix and Tucson. See "Directions" below for more detailed information.

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Information about the desert and the Hohokum way of life is provided by signs posted along the trails surrounding the monument. Take your time walking through the area. Read the signs to learn about the Hohokum people, Casa Grande and the history of the desert environment.

The Hohokum people lived in the Casa Grande area in the 1300's. They obtained their food from cultivated fields and animals they hunted in the desert. Modern agricultural irrigation has dropped the ground water table from approximately 12 feet below the surface in 1930 to about 100 feet below the surface today. You will notice many dead mesquite trees in the area.¹

Caliche was the building material the Hohokum used to construct Casa Grande. It was a mixture of water and hardpan found beneath the surface of the ground. ¹

The exact purpose of Casa Grande is not known: however certain interesting features have been found. Notice the round window in the photograph on the right. This window aligns with the setting sun on the longest day of the year (summer solstice - June 21st). Other windows and doors align with objects in the sky as well. An information sign on the back side of Casa Grande contains interesting facts about these features and points out that, like Europe's Stonehenge, perhaps Casa Grande was used as an astronomical observatory and calendar.¹

Information Sources

1. Information signs at Casa Grande National Monument.

Above left: Casa Grande Visitor Center exhibit
Above right: petroglyphs on rock outside Casa Grande Pueblo Visitor Center

Special Tips

Traveling with children or special needs

Traveling with children
Casa Grande is very fragile. DO NOT allow children to climb on walls or structures.

The Visitor's Center contains a museum that features exhibits on the Hohokum and the construction of Casa Grande. Restrooms and water are also available at the Visitor's Center.

Accessibility
The grounds around the pueblo are wheelchair accessible, as is the museum on the grounds.

The restroom is wheelchair accessible; however the accessible stall is narrow (no space for transfer). The stall contains bars on each side and across the back. (spring 2008)

Traveling with pets
Leashed pets are allowed in the park (6 foot leash is required and the pet must be in the control of an adult). Pets can dehydrate quickly; bring plenty of water and a bowl. Allow your pet to rest in shady areas as needed. NEVER leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. ALWAYS clean up after your pet.

For more specific information, go to: www.nps.gov pet info

Directions & Resources

From I-10, take exit 185. This will take you to the east side of I-10. Follow 387 to 87. Turn right and head south on 87 approximately 14 miles to the monument. The monument will be on the right as you head south on 87. Go to the south side of the monument property and turn right and enter from the south side.

Resources:

www.nps.gov/cagr/ Casa Grande Ruins: National Park Service