The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

In deserted areas, the most exciting part are gliding into its sands, experiencing the wild, witnessing variety of strange species, feeling of thirst, extreme temperature and the likes…what makes the scenic trip more interesting is learning to discover every historical detail that made the scene all happen. Just like the wonders of this first prehistoric archeological preserve, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, also known as the Great House was built by the ancient Hohokam many years ago. Started as a potential home, playground, battlefield, farm and neighborhood, the Casa Grande Ruins and the memory that the Hohokams left in today’s time is such recognition of art, hardwork and national symbol.

The Mystery of the Hohokam Ruins

Similar to other well preserved ruins in Arizona just like the Montezuma and Toronto Castles, the 14th century Casa Grande National Monument has been part of the Gila River settlement collections connected with other canals around the area. The monument stands in low elevation having the very hot months of summer, reaching temperatures up to 110°F and 80°F in daytime during the hottest spring seasons even in winter. Despite the very hot place, visitors are free to take a glance during the jam-packed seasons except the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as the Casa Grande Ruins opens from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon everyday for the whole year round, while it can be reached across the dusty farmlands nearby from any direction. However, past the monument entrance, they can drive through the Highway 87/287 or brushing the roads in 15 miles east of I-10.

First Visit to the Monument

Taking more of its historical story behind, the first person to appreciate the monument’s grace is Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit missionary who also is dominated by the astounding art of the Casa Grande Ruins that keeps standing through ancient materials of unreinforced clay also known as caliche. To make the visionary more possible, the first story of the preserved building is composed of filled earth, as a supporting floor to the other three stories. The second and third story then served as living spaces including rooms and other lounging areas. And, on the last and highest story is the most special part, having one central area with openings in the walls, perfectly made to face the Sun and Moon at different times for every year round.

Moreover, another scene that completes the mysterious vicinity is the Hohokam Pima National Park which stands about 20 miles northwest from the monument. It covers 2.6 square miles or 6.7 square kilometers where the Salado people partially excavated the Gila River vicinity yet covered also many centuries ago when the Hohokam people resided the place, in which the “Great House” is located. Hohokam, as Indian word meaning “Those Who Have Gone”, pertains to the Hohokam tribe who practiced agriculture in the place as also observed because of the irrigation system remains. To ensure the life of the monument, it stays under the preservation and administration of Casa Grande. However, on other practices, these people also cooperated well in trade by standing along natural routes between present-day California, the Colorado Plateau, and Great Plains and northen Mexico. The Hohokam tribe used trading mostly in jewelry and pottery for which they received variety of items like the Shells from the Gulf of California. Other than that, games also are the popular activities of the tribe including ball games in which the Aztecs have also played and similar ballcourts in far north located in Wupatki as an extensive Hohokam culture, all exercised in their halls.

Hot Climate Tours

Now to finally experience what the Hohokams have pushed through, Casa Grande Ruins offers tours that give breakaway to all ages. Children of 15 years of age and below are recommended to bring water jugs because the climate can be extremely exhausting, and also, upon parents’ consent and joining their school groups. Meanwhile, as incentive, younger kids are admitted free of charge but with special waivers. While touring the place, the visitors can have a sneak on the monument’s picnic area, perfect for family, friends and school bonding activities, having shaded tables and raised platform to have a delightful sight of the ancient ball court. Then suggesting a cleaner environment, the place is surrounded by hard-packed dirt paths for easy dumping, especially when pets are around. Though finding more time to spend while roaming, monument visits only allow one to two hours of stroll due to summer daytime pressures that exceeds to 100 degrees, making the visitors safely entertained as well.

Learning more of its events, Casa Grande’s is also packed with seasonal activites with festivals including the Annual Fiddlers’ Bluegrass Jamboree, Wuertz Farm Family Gourd Festival, Heritage Tourism Days, O’Odham Tash Festival, Copperstate, Arizona State Open Chili Championship and Cactus Fly-In to name a few. As for the yearly celebrated O’Odham Tash, Native American arts and crafts, rodeos, ceremonial dances, parades and powwows are all experienced.

The Challenge Casa Grande Hikes

Well, that’s totally perfect yet moving on, people who also want to have tough travels might join the National Monument’s hiking offers. The Visitor Center is considered a very good place when beginning tours to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Having a little yet interesting place for various discoveries and historical ideas, it includes places such as the information counter, the museum exhibit area, public phone, rest rooms, available wheelchairs and drinking fountains are all in the site accommodations. More of its full accessibilities, it is also complete with packed-dirt surfaces. While roaming the place, the 300 yard self-guided walking trail is also included at the Visitor Center plus information about the ruins and explanation on the interpretative signs surrounding the area.

Compounds to Nature

To visitors who love hiking as part of touring, they can start their hike at the Visitor’s Center by joining the hike that costs $5 per person aged 16 years old and up however with a National Parks Annual Pass, free admission can also be gained inside together with an interpretative exhibit of artifacts, all revived through many restoration efforts along the many years of digging these archeological patterns for the past 100+ years. Compund A, having the sights of the Great House and its tributaries, while the Compound B is the area where you can finish walking down the edges of the Great House and central plaza where the picnic area will be seen perfect for backpacking and camping while foreseeing panoramic views through the raised places as means for better viewing into platforms. These areas keep the viewing easier by foreseeing wonders from the raised platforms as they may also see remains of the two pyramids and the ball court.

Experiencing the Casa Grande Arizona Lodging

Definitely, after the whole hours of travel, challenging hike on zeniths and climbing on deserted areas can be very tiring. Yet, with Arizona’s nearby cities offering great deals in lodging, there’s always a perfect comfort waiting. First up is the Florence Arizona Hotel that is conveniently located at the nearby cities of Coolidge and the Superior town of Queen Creek where travelers and most of leisure-hunters are can crave most of the relaxation opportunities at this hotel. Located 8 miles from the Coolidge Airport and 7 miles from St. Anthony Monastery which holds the title as the Greek monastery of the country, Florence hotel definitely provides easy access to remarkable sights and several activities including the Superstition Golf Course, Renaissance Festival and the LPGA Safeway Classic Golf tourney; next is the Holiday Inn Casa Grande which holds the ideal destination for having a short drive at the I-10 from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa. Actually, this hotel is already remodeled as full service hotel seeing wonderful sights especially the Casa Grande Ruins…

Also try the New Holiday Inn at the Ocotillo Hotel through just few minutes of driving from Sky Harbor International Airport, Downtown Phoenix, Chandler Fashion Center Mall, Casinos, Golf and Sport Complex where the hotel is conveniently located near agencies like the Motorola, Microchip Technology, Orbital Sciences and more; the boasting 18-hole Golf Course having a driving range of 35,000 square feet of fresh multi-million dollar renovation plus meeting space is all brought to you by the San Marcos Golf Resort and Hotel and Conference Center is the perfect place to stay; Experiencing new comfort from newest Home Bedding Collections, the Candlewood Suites and Phoenix-Tempe Hotels are the ultimate choice for business travelers. Plus, with its suites each with complete kitchen set, best cooking ideas is definitely shared through appliances including the full-size refrigerators, microwave ovens and a whole lot more plus working efficiently by using two separate phone lines, executive desk, while listening to your CD/DVD player at the same time.

One Perfect Vacation

With all that great deals at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, you would absolutely find a place perfect for both travel and vacation but then, should always consider the hot climate, hurting your skin cells. And remember, you should also keep the memorable scenes shared during the Casa Grande visit. You never know when will be your next journey there so it’s better to always see yourself in there through the video screens.

Thanks again for the Hohokam tribe that made these entire possible, plus, giving them the right kind of recognition as the monument stays majestic for life.

Enjoying a comfortable stay at nearby accommodations at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, here are the best offers all available at the great vicinities of the Arizona Country:

1. Belonging to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, Florence Arizona Hotel is conveniently located at the nearby cities of Coolidge and the Superior town of Queen Creek where travelers and most of leisure-hunters are can crave most of the relaxation opportunities at this hotel. Located 8 miles from the Coolidge Airport and 7 miles from St. Anthony Monastery which holds the title as the Greek monastery of the country, Florence hotel definitely provides easy access to remarkable sights and several activities including the Superstition Golf Course, Renaissance Festival and the LPGA Safeway Classic Golf tourney.

2. If you don’t want the big city hustle and bustle, you might want to give yourself a break by lodging at the Holiday Inn Casa Grande as an ideal destination for having a short drive at the I-10 from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa. Actually, this hotel is already remodeled as full service hotel and thus, making an easy access to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and other attractions like the Historic Casa Grande and either another short drive to Skydive Arizona and Wildhorse Pass Casinos offering 176 completely renovated rooms, exercise facilities and sparkling pools.

3. Another beautiful full service hotel is offered by the New Holiday Inn at the Ocotillo Hotel. Driving just few minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, Downtown Phoenix, Chandler Fashion Center Mall, Casinos, Golf and Sport Complex where the hotel is conveniently located near agencies like the Motorola, Microchip Technology, Orbital Sciences and more. Staying here is great for either private or corporate gatherings or deluxe guest accommodations.

4. More of the non-smoking Holiday Inn Hotels in Mesa, the boasting 18-hole Golf Course having a driving range of 35,000 square feet of fresh multi-million dollar renovation plus meeting space is all brought to you by the San Marcos Golf Resort and Hotel and Conference Center is the perfect place to stay. With easy access to downtown exploration in historic shops, eateries and breweries by just passing its front doors, its luxurious rooms are all set with pile of pillows, satin-soft cotton sheets and plush velvet that freshens each day of sleep. With full service and accommodations, you can relax and take a plunge at the very own lounges and restaurants after every match of golf and tennis games. Just miles from Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert, this is a one-of-a-kind place.

5. Experiencing new comfort from newest Home Bedding Collections, the Candlewood Suites and Phoenix-Tempe Hotels are the ultimate choice for business travelers. Plus, with its suites each with complete kitchen set, best cooking ideas is definitely shared through appliances including the full-size refrigerators, microwave ovens and a whole lot more plus working efficiently by using two separate phone lines, executive desk, while listening to your CD/DVD player at the same time. Not only that! Purchases of meals, sundry items and other snack are offered in affordable prices. Located in South Tempe on Baseline Road near the 1-10 exit, this place is such a precious reward.

For more updated details on the great lodging deals near and at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, try visiting http://casagranderuins.areaparks.com/hotels.html. Have a great stay!

The Visitor Center is considered a very good place when beginning tours to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Having a little yet interesting place for various discoveries and historical ideas, it includes places such as the information counter, the museum exhibit area, public phone, rest rooms, available wheelchairs and drinking fountains are all in the site accommodations. More of its full accessibilities, it is also complete with packed-dirt surfaces. While roaming the place, the 300 yard self-guided walking trail is also included at the Visitor Center plus information about the ruins and explanation on the interpretative signs surrounding the area.

Hike for All Ages

To visitors who love hiking as part of touring, they can start their hike at the Visitor Center by joining the hike that costs $5 per person aged 16 years old and up however with a National Parks Annual Pass, free admission can also be gained inside together with an interpretative exhibit of artifacts, all revived through many restoration efforts along the many years of digging these archeological patterns for the past 100+ years. Upon exiting the Visitor Center, and entering the Compound A, they will be greeted with astonishing view of the Great House as well as its tough walls and surrounding buildings. Also, they can have their self-guided tours while absorbing different stories and factoids all portrayed in those many plaques while they can also be one of the volunteer rangers to learn more about the Casa Grande Ruins and can have better choices to join the tours.

Forget Not the Compounds

Definitely, exploration of the buildings and the reasons behind the Hohokam builders would keep them thinking at the back of their minds as they love more of the ancient settlement. Walking down the perimeter of the Compund A again, they will gain much appreciation for the closer look at the size of the settlement. Then getting to the zenith around 1300, they will feel similar as the Hohokam tribe who lived at those vicinities.

But you should not forget to visit Compound B where you can finish walking down the edges of the Great House and central plaza where the picnic area will be seen perfect for backpacking and camping while foreseeing panoramic views through the raised places as means for better viewing into platforms. These areas keep the viewing easier by foreseeing wonders from the raised platforms as they may also see remains of the two pyramids and the ball court.

Protecting the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, it is then considered as the nation’s first archeological preserve in North America. For allowing about an hour visit to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, these events are such a breakthrough in learning to fill historical adventures all found at http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=836.

In North America, Casa Grande “Great House” Ruins National Monument is protected by the United States government, located in flat terrains of Central Arizona between the Santa Cruz and Gila Rivers with its nearby towns Coolidge and Casa Grande, which also named after the monument. Proclaimed as an archeological reserve, Casa Grande was brought to life because of the Hohokam builders during the 14th century. The ruins of the ancient inhabitants in the region then became a wide-known attraction today, making another mark to the country of Arizona.

Its Astrological Concept

Casa Grande Ruins remains stiff since the ages as it is protected by a metal canopy, used to deflect the sun and heat that usually strikes portions of Arizona having the extreme temperatures reaching 80 degrees even during winter and most especially during summer seasons. If you may come to think deeper, this great monument and the purpose of creating it remains a mystery and to most archeologist too. Even if they have traced ancient details found in the vicinity, still the reason behind this attraction is not answered. Although some people may also believe that it as a product of astrological observatory due to positioned building details and astrological alignment to sun and moon rays, it seems that it undergone certain studies and measurements.

Measuring 60×40 feet with walls more than a meter thick, the most protected walls of Casa Grande is supported by wooden beams and in the exteriors, it has the fashioned material called caliche, also known as the naturally-occuring soil made of sand, calcium carbonate and clay, mainly found in deserts of Southwest America which make the monument stand its precious throne until now. Proving the material’s efficiency, many of Native American tribes also have used this kind of ingredient in variety of constructions.

The Tough Resources

Taking a closer look at the environment, definitely you would keep your attention to the main “Great House” as Casa Grande is safely protected in its fragile condition through its strong boundaries, prohibiting public viewing insides and that is also the reason why tours have to be scheduled in earlier time. However, guests can still explore the exterior of the monument where taking photographs are highly applicable. Moreover, guided tours would always be available on different seasons from January to April which are conducted by the National Park rangers to help most out of all roaming activities as well as tour suggestions.

Visitor Center’s Accomodation

Near the entrance, you can see the monument’s Visitor Center providing a home for the monument’s small museum that includes the ancient materials used by the early builders as well as the artifacts, all appealing to the observer’s eyes. The Visitor Center also includes a bookstore and a place for visitor’s toilet needs. Aside from that, children can also join the rangers to participate in the Junior Ranger program having most interesting information about the monument given by the Visitor Center where they can easily place their badges for every visit around the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. For the joy of group tours, the picnic area serves as a great place having shady areas across the parking lot that provides a view of the ball court where people pass easily after going to the Visitor Center.

Then again, for great tours and deals, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument shares a simple yet remarkable sight for all ages. Even though it does not recommend reservations, still the accommodation of the tours makes everything possible through the monument’s ranger programs. Find more of the latest tours in Casa Grande Ruins here: http://www.arizona-leisure.com/casa-grande-ruins.html

Opens daily from 8am until 5pm, the Casa Grande Ruins offers tours for every whole year round except for the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, having an entrance fee of $5.00 per person, only valid for seven days. Good thing that Casa Grande tours also are open to all ages but children of 15 years of age and below are recommended to bring water jugs because the climate can be extremely exhausting, and also, upon parents’ consent and joining their school groups. Meanwhile, as incentive, younger kids are admitted free of charge but with special waivers.

Joy of Tours

While touring the place, the visitors can have a sneak on the monument’s picnic area, perfect for family, friends and school bonding activities, having shaded tables and raised platform to have a delightful sight of the ancient ball court. Then suggesting a cleaner environment, the place is surrounded by hard-packed dirt paths for easy dumping, especially when pets are around. Though finding more time to spend while roaming, monument visits only allow one to two hours of stroll due to summer daytime pressures that exceeds to 100 degrees, making the visitors safely entertained as well.

However, during winter, it has been observed that temperatures still reach high as 60 and 80 degrees while spring and fall remain warm and dry in 80 and 90 degrees. With this kind of skin pressure around, tourists are asked to wear protective clothing, sunscreen, hats and personal water containers to sustain enjoyment.

The Tucson Trail

Getting into the Casa Grande National Park is just easy by travelling from the Tucson area in I-10 west that ranges to approximately 47 miles of drive to AZ-87 passing the exit 211b. While continuing to pass across the Frontage Road, it takes half mile then stay at the right lane going north on roads AZ-87 covering 22 miles straight to Coolidge. The monument’s entrance then will be reached upon the left wing. Meanwhile, from Phoenix, passing the I-10 east covers approximately 36 miles to reach the AZ-387 at Exit 185. When turning left again, you should see the end of the off-ramp onto AZ 187/AZ-387. Going over the I-10 overpass, going right onto AZ 387 would then proceed to going east passing 7 miles to reach AZ-87. Afterwards, a stop sign would be seen so the moment it’s there, turn right onto AZ-87. When you already reached Coolidge, turn right again onto the Arizona Boulevard and this time, the monument entrance is reached upon the right wing.

Other Exciting Breakaways

Learning more of its events, Casa Grande’s is also packed with seasonal activites with festivals including the Annual Fiddlers’ Bluegrass Jamboree, Wuertz Farm Family Gourd Festival, Heritage Tourism Days, O’Odham Tash Festival, Copperstate, Arizona State Open Chili Championship and Cactus Fly-In to name a few. As for the yearly celebrated O’Odham Tash, Native American arts and crafts, rodeos, ceremonial dances, parades and powwows are all experienced. Then to a newest addition, the Casa Grande also provided a mall known as The Promenade at Casa Grande which offers amenities and open-air centers, including department stores including JC Penny, Dilliard’s, Kohl’s, Marshall’s, Target and Harkin multiplex theatre.

All these packed up, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument completes a whole day of sightseeing, tours and festivities together with ancient memories brought by the Hohokam tribe. A tour to the “Great House” would be such a memorable surprise. Want more? Find scheduled tours by visiting: http://www.nps.gov/cagr/planyourvisit/events.htm

Big houses deserve big graces. As for the record-breaking prehistoric attraction, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is the largest structure built by the Hohokam people, who also are well-known of the place found it as a place to ponder by looking at the heavens. Resulting to a four-storey building made of caliche materials, its walls are all duly designed to face the four cardinal points of the compass for great views of the Moon and the Sun. Thus, the finishing touches of the building made the Spaniards name it as the “Great House” considering the mysterious features of the house, plus the remains of the inhabitants through times of planting, harvest and celebration.

The People Behind the Making

The people behind the sky watching idea are first found out by Archeologist Emil Haury who also studied the Hohokam tribe and culture. These people according to Haury are those hunt-gatherers which inherited traits from the archaic hunters in Arizona several years ago, then made him name them as the “First Masters of the American Desert” from the Mesoamerican civilization. Moreover, by AD 300, Hohokam culture was carried and passed along the people of Gila and Salt Rivers and other tributaries. Getting similar aspects of living, these people act like those of south-western farming people living in permanent settlements. These kinds of people are also engaged in making pottery until trading their products however they are also the ones who tamed the rivers with irrigation canals. Though it made some damages, it then regulated the irrigation communities and systems to support farming to survive the hot climate. Though in other areas without perennial streams, diversion of the drylands are done through tapping of groundwater and storm runoff that still created water deposits.

The Practice of Trading

On other practices, these people also cooperated well in trade by standing along natural routes between present-day California, the Colorado Plateau, and Great Plains and northen Mexico. The Hohokam tribe used trading mostly in jewelry and pottery for which they received variety of items like the Shells from the Gulf of California. These kinds of shells were the most common as they also used it as their exchange medium in most places. Other traded materials are coins, mirrors, copper belts, Macaws, and the shallow, oval pits which are all found around major villages. Other than that, games also are the popular activities of the tribe including ball games in which the Aztecs have also played and similar ballcourts in far north located in Wupatki as an extensive Hohokam culture, all exercised in their halls.

Leaving The “All Used Up”

Leaving an empty shell of the once-flourishing village, most of remains are all used up, as it is meant after the Hohokam meaning “all used up”. After few visits of European-Americans until the late 19th century, it pushed for the action of legal protection so in 1892 the monument became the first ever archeological preserve in North America, revealing the secrets of ancient people who gathered around the place.

As for the created symbol of art and history, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument would forever resemblance the best efforts of its builders. Also, despite of centuries of neglects and weathering, the “Great House” always stands its grace as a prominent model of the technology and social organization all shared by the Hohokam people.