Anyone who has driven through Phoenix has seen the wedding cake looking building that sits atop a knoll just off Washington and 52nd Streets. The place has a storied history and an amazing native plant garden. that it turns out was originally designed by a Russian and later redone by a Thai horticulturalist. Built by an Italian emigre as a hotel, in typical Arizona fashion it was soon surrounded by cattle stock yards and came to be owned by the rancher's family. There are stories of assaults and murders and such that add to the lore.
Now owned by the City of Phoenix, as restoration is underway for use as an event destination. Meanwhile tours of the grounds can be scheduled and if you are lucky you can spend that time with the head gardener Jason Johnson just like my friend Mary Hayes and I did last Saturday.
Here are some pics:
No comments:
Post a Comment