I posted excerpts from a photo shoot that I did with my daughter a couple of weeks ago (Heritage Square: Phoenix, Arizona). As a continuation of that day this photo shoot was another stop we made. Scorpion Gulch is in South Mountain Park at the base of the mountain. The minute we came across this, we knew we had to stop. Scorpion Gulch was a store built in 1936 by William Lunsford. He also built his residence right next door. The property is located on Central Ave and is the main road to go into South Mountain Park on your way up to the summit. The buildings were first listed on the historic preservation register in 1990. For more information, click the Scorpion Gulch link to Wikipedia.
The first shot is the store itself. Located to the right of this structure is the remnant of the residence, which is the focus of this photo shoot.
Scorpion Gulch 1
The second picture is the front of the residence. Notice the castle-like turret on the left. I love the stonework and the attention he gave to detail.
Scorpion Gulch 2
The next capture gives you an idea of the condition of the walls and obviously there isn’t a roof any more.
Scorpion Gulch 3
The building stretches back and around giving you unique angles and views. The wall on the right (which is really not in the shot) is the back of the fireplace on the next shot.
Scorpion Gulch 4
I fell in love with this fireplace; can you believe the size of it and the detail of the rock? As an enclosed room, I am sure it was stunning.
Scorpion Gulch 5
This and the rest of the shots are taken from the same spot, just rotating to my right. I am back at the front of the property with the store on my immediate left and the front of the house on my immediate right. The house stretches back on the right and then juts out in front of us creating a large “L”. I would assume this was a type of courtyard in its day. If you look back through the window and doorway combo on the middle right, you can see the fireplace from the prior shot.
Scorpion Gulch 6
This picture gives you a better perspective of just how far back the house goes. On the extreme right of the frame is the base to the castle turret we saw in the capture of the front of the house.
Scorpion Gulch 7
This last one looks back towards the front of the house with a very large and old Saguaro Cactus framing the shot.
Scorpion Gulch 8
Thoughts?
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Wow Kirt these are wonderful. I love old ruins like this! Such wonderful rock work! That fireplace is something else! 🙂
I just love the craftsmanship that went into building this…and the fact it is preserved as historical…awesome!
Oh I agree. You have so many lovely places you visit. It always amazes me what stays. When I went back to my childhood home I noticed all my Pa’s brick and stone work was still standing after 50+ years. It was odd to see that. I told my little nephew about my Pa building the walls from stone and some brick and he was amazed his Gpa’s work was still there. Kinda cool! 😀 🙂
How awesome is that!!! It does speak to the craftsmanship used by your pa and by the gentleman who built the store and house at scorpion gulch!!! Thanks for stopping by!
😄😄I think so too!
I love places like this as well. The last picture is my favourite the old Saguaro Cactus adds so much to it. This place must hold many stories.
I would love to see pictures of what it looked like in its prime…
They may have them in the archives at the nearest City Hall.
Good point….thanks Darlene…
Amazing post Kirt 🙂
Fascinating piece of history, Kirt. Your photos did a terrific job of capturing the uniqueness and love put into building the house and store. I enjoyed the link too. A loving man with a big heart as well as building skills. Once there was a well too. Fun post Kirt.
Thanks Jet….my daughter and I had a lot of fun with this site for a photo shoot!
Great rockwork and photos. Could be fun to rebuild and live there. 🙂
Terrific place. I’m really surprised no has put a roof on the place and called it home themselves.
It’s now part of the park and is being maintained by the park system…they went in and did some structural updating a few years back to keep it safe and sound…there are picnic tables around for the time of year when its not too hot. I truly was surprised to come across something like this!
It’s great!!
Such beautiful stone work Kirt. It’s a shame it has fallen to this state but there’s enough to feed the imagination. Great photos!
Thanks Dan!!
Kirt, I think this is my favorite of all the great photo shoots you’ve shared here. What a wonderful building. I would’ve never expected such a lovely building from the “Scorpion” name. (Ugh! Hate those things!) I’m sad that it wasn’t preserved, but glad they kept the ruins rather than doing away with them. You’re right — that is a grand fireplace. I had such fun that I had to share it everywhere. Hugs
Hi Teagan! Fancy meeting up with you here, on this tour! I’m with you, about the name!! Just the name “Scorpion Gulch” evoked a faintly scary shudder! I expected to see them crawling all over my feet, as we stand there! That store and house stood the test of time! WEll, maybe not with an “A”, since there’e no roof….
I love to look at old houses, and this one is no exception.
The stonework is exemplary!!
Thanks for stopping by….I can only imagine how beautiful the property once was!!
I imagine it was breathtaking!
Thank you for the feedback and thank you for sharing!!
I read its history at the link you gave us. It is really impressive, I also like the fireplace – very unique. I wonder what it was like in the past 🙂
First of all the name is brilliant. Or possibly terrifying depending on your perspective. How fun to explore this historical site. My top pick for photos is the one with the creative angle of the windows where you capture a third window in the background. Felt as though I was there wandering with you!
Thanks for the feedback Sue!! We really enjoyed poking around the site!! I agree with your observation of the name😎😎
Amazing! The attention to detail of the fireplace is impressive.
Isn’t that the coolest fireplace??? Love it!!