CASA GRANDE RUINS The History of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

THE CASA GRANDE OF ARIZONA AS A LANDMARK ON THE DESERT, A GOVERNMENT RESERVATION, AND A NATIONAL MONUMENT

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SALLIE VAN VALKENBURGH

Sallie Van Valkenburg, currently Museum Curator in Archeology at the Southwest Archeological Center in Globe, Arizona, has a long standing acquaintance with the National Park Service. This relationship began in 1934 when she did archaeological field work at Montezuma Castle National Monument, and has continued over the years with positions as Park Ranger or Archeologist at six field areas and two offices in the Southwest. Her personal knowledge of Casa Grande National Monument is a result of work at the Monument in 1943, 1944, 1955, and 1956.

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ABSTRACT

Casa Grande National Monument, situated in the Gila River valley of southern Arizona, protects the Casa Grande or great house and numerous other prehistoric remains. The initial discovery of the Casa Grande was made by Father Kino in 1694. Following the discovery, the site was visited by other explorers in the periods of Spanish and Anglo history in the Southwest. In 1892 a government reservation was established, and in 1918, through a Presidential Proclamation, Casa Grande became a National Monument. Since 1918, there have been many changes at the Monument including the erection of the present roof over the Casa Grande in 1932. Visitor attendance has increased greatly to around 75,000 in 1960.