Windsor Square Historic District Home Tour:
One of our most enjoyable traditions in Phoenix is the historic district home tour. We have an astonishing number of historic homes and homeowners who cherish their properties and gladly share them with the public. This time Windsor Square is opening its neighborhood, homes, and gardens to visitors for the Sixth Biennial Historic Home and Garden Tour.
Next Sunday, April 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., you will be able to visit all of the 12 historic homes that are on this tour in Phoenix’s most northern historic district. Presented by the Windsor Square Neighborhood Association, the Home and Garden tour is a self-guided walking tour that gives visitors a look at unique architectural styles in homes that date back more than 75 years.
Windsor Square was originally envisioned as an area of fine homes, but the district’s development suffered from bad timing and a world war. Begun in 1929, the original developers’ high hopes fell to the realities of the Depression. Then as building began in earnest in the early 1940’s, everything was put on hold again during World War II. With the return of the GIs and the post-war building boom, Windsor Square grew to be considered Phoenix’s first suburb. Today’s 260 homes are bordered by Central Avenue and Seventh Street, Pasadena Avenue and Oregon Avenue.
With styles ranging from modern to traditional, attendees will see interior decorating ideas and unique approaches to the outdoors. For this year’s tour, the organizers have added a special feature to each home: a themed special event presented by a professional designer. Look for a garden party, a birthday celebration, and other festive scenes. Keep an eye out, also, for Phil Gordon, Phoenix’s mayor and a Windsor Square resident, who plans to be touring the homes as well.
Along with the historic homes, visitors will enjoy fine arts and crafts from street vendors, taste delicious foods, and be entertained with live music. All this for only $12, and children visit free.
You will find the tour at the Northeast corner of Central and Camelback, behind AJ’s Fine Foods. Tickets will be available on the day of the home tour at Medlock and 2nd Street (one block east of Central, north of Camelback Road). Vehicles may enter the neighborhood off Central Avenue at Medlock Drive or off Camelback Road at 2nd or 6th streets; on-street parking is free.
Need a bit more incentive? The good folks of the Windsor Square Home and Garden Tour will donate 20 percent of tour proceeds to the Central Arizona Shelter Services (C.A.S.S). for Families and Children.
Mark your calendar now: Sunday, April 6 – Windsor Square Historic Home and Garden Tour. For more information, visit the Windsor Square website.
