Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servants' quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Brochure and Map of Arizona State Parks and Trails. Published by Arizona State Parks & Trails.
Riordan Mansion SHP
https://azstateparks.com/riordan-mansion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riordan_Mansion_State_Historic_Park
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servants' quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Nearby Parks
Guided Tours
American Arts & Crafts
If you’re having a great time here, don’t forget
to visit one of the four nearby state parks!
Slide Rock State Park (22 miles) As one of
the few homesteads left intact in the canyon
today, Slide Rock State Park is a fine example
of early agricultural development in central
Arizona. The site was also instrumental to the
development of the tourism industry in Oak
Creek Canyon. The creek offers the park’s
namesake slide for adventure-seekers and
those looking for a place to cool off. (928) 2823034
Red Rock State Park (38 miles) is a 286acre nature preserve and environmental
education center with stunning scenery. Trails
throughout the park reach the rich banks of Oak
Creek. Green meadows are framed by native
vegetation and hills of red rock. The creek
meanders through the park, creating a habitat
abundant with plants and wildlife. (928) 2826907.
Fort Verde State Historic Park (55 miles)
Experience living history and life through the
eyes of a frontier soldier. The fort was a base
for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and
soldiers in the 1870s and 1880s. From 1865
– 1891 Camp Lincoln, Camp Verde and Fort
Verde were home to officers, doctors, families,
enlisted men, and scouts. (928) 567-3275.
The interior of the Mansion is seen by guided
tour only. Tours begin on the hour and last
approximately one hour. A tour guide will
lead you through the East House; a pristine
historical home filled with original artifacts,
hand-crafted
furniture,
and
personal
mementos of the Riordan families. The tour
concludes in the West House where visitors
have the opportunity to wander the first floor
exhibit area. Reservations for the tour are
highly recommended and required for buses
and large groups. Visit azstateparks.com/
riordan-mansion for current info.
In the early 1900s, a new style of architecture,
influenced by the Arts & Crafts Movement in
England, became popular in the United States.
A reaction against the excesses of the Victorian
era and the giant factories of the Industrial era,
this new philosophy emphasized simplicity,
craftsmanship, and the beauty found in nature.
The new architectural designs included open
floor plans, exposed structural elements,
walk-in closets, and built-in storage features.
Buildings were supposed to blend into the
natural landscape, using locally available
materials, and celebrate local cultures and
traditions. A uniquely American blending of
the natural environment with the melting pot
of cultures resulted.
Established 1957
Riordan State Historic Park
409 W. Riordan Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
RIORDAN MANSION
STATE HISTORIC PARK
Park Rules
01/22
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan
Mansion State Historic Park is an impressive
reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial
logging town. The historic building is an
Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of
Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a
rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone
arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The
expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000
square-feet of living area, and servants quarters.
The Riordan residence was designed by Charles
Whittlesey, architect of the Grand Canyon’s El
Tovar Hotel.
Thank you for visiting!
(928) 779-4395 | 1-877-MYPARKS
azstateparks.com/riordan-mansion
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Please protect this special park by observing
the following rules:
General Rules
• Do not litter! “Leave no trace” and pack
out what you bring in, or use the trash
receptacles provided in the park.
• Leave all food and open drink containers
outside of the park buildings.
• Drive your vehicle only on designated paved
surfaces. Park only in designated parking
areas. Do not park on the side of the road.
• Do not use glass containers in the park.
Mansion Rules
• Use the red carpet as your stepping guide.
• Silence all electronic devices.
• Only closed water bottles are permitted in
the house.
• Leave strollers, large bags, and backpacks
out of the house.
• Only service animals are permitted inside
the house.
• Do not use tripods, monopods, selfie sticks,
or any equipment in addition to your camera.
Personal photos are allowed. Commercial
photos require a permit.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Damaging
artifacts is a crime.
The rules of this park are not limited to the rules
listed above. Additional park rules may be
found at www.azstateparks.com.
Riordan Mansion exhibits these ideas with log
slab siding covering the frame-built structure,
lending a rustic appearance to the home. Log
ends protrude at eaves and corners to further
the illusion of log construction, and local
volcanic rock forms the base, chimneys, and
arches. The common room between the two
homes is intended to be a large, welcoming
social area and continues the rustic look with
exposed, log-supported ceiling beams. The
inside of the homes have elegant interior
formal spaces which feature plaster walls,
wainscotin
9. Here at the front entrance to Michael
and Elizabeth Riordan’s home, the top
of the first step displays a wolf, a bell,
and a coyote. These figures are very
worn but still visible.
10. The fountain was
constructed of native volcanic
rock. Several animals and
nature images are hand
carved into the stone
surface. See if you
can find the pelican
and the owl. The
grandchildren say this was
one of Michael’s favorite places to sit
and read or write.
12. The visitor center is the family’s sixcar garage, also constructed in 1914.
The garage driveway was converted
into the landscaped area you see
today, and the cement walkway was
added. Notice the horizontal steel
pipes mounted to both corners of
the garage. These pipes were
one end of a pair of
clotheslines that ran to
the two standing pipes
located between here
and the garage.
Growing in and around the
low rock wall surrounding
the fountain are the edible, berry
producing Golden current and thorny
New Mexican locust.
11. The overhead sleeping porch was
added to the home in 1914.
Take the Tour
The park is a historic house museum. The Visitor Center, formerly the family automotive
garage, has introductory interpretive exhibits on the history of the Riordan Family.
Personally guided 60-minute interpretive tours of the house, featuring information
on Riordan family history, and Arts and Crafts style architecture and furnishings are
given daily, on the top of the hour.
The West House has exhibits on Arts & Crafts, Native American pottery & baskets,
photographic window panels, Lumber & Logging, and a model of historic Flagstaff.
RIORDAN MANSION
STATE HISTORIC PARK
409 W Riordan Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 779-4395
AZStateParks.com /riordan-mansion
The park is operated in a partnership with the Arizona Historical Society and Arizona State Parks & Trails.
RIORDAN MANSION
STATE HISTORIC PARK
Timothy and Michael Riordan were prominent pioneer Flagstaff businessmen who
developed a successful logging operation as well as many other business ventures
and community improvements. After marrying sisters, Caroline and Elizabeth Metz,
and living side by side for years, the families upgraded by building this 13,000 square
foot duplex home in 1904.
The home had all the technology we have in our homes today: electric lights, central
heat, hot and cold running water, and telephones. The architect, Charles Whittlesey,
also designed the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. The home’s original reddish
color inspired the name Kinlichi Knoll from the Navajo term meaning “red house.”
Self-Guided Walk
1. You are looking at the back of Timothy and Caroline Riordan’s home. To your far
left is the home of Michael and Elizabeth Riordan. In the middle is a large, single story
room shared by both families. The Riordan homes are fine examples of the American
Arts & Crafts style of architecture popular from the early 1900s into the early 1920s. This
architecture strives for simplicity, craftsmanship, and the celebration of nature.
The primary building material for the house is Ponderosa pine. There is an “old growth”
(two hundred year old plus) Ponderosa pine to your right. This type of mature tree
formed the backbone of the Riordans’ lumber business.
2. Behind you is the front entrance to Tim and Caroline Riordan’s home. Note the use of
local, lichen covered, volcanic rock to create the beautiful rustic entrance and covered
porch. Arts & Crafts style architects celebrated nature in their designs through the use
of native building materials. Covered porches, such as this one, were essential because
they blur the line between the inside and outside environments. Stroll down the cinder
pathway through the trees to see what remains of the family tennis court. The net posts
are still visible but several trees have encroached onto the playing court.
Beyond the tennis court are large, horse drawn skid
wheels that were used for hauling logs. The tongue
was tipped skyward in order to lower the rear of the
axle down to the logs for a chain attachment. When
the horses pulled the tongue down, the logs were
hoisted upwards to the undercarriage of the wheels.
3. The stone circle before you was designed and used
by the family for evening gatherings and fireside talks. It
also recalls an Irish tradition that fairies could be deterred
from creating mischief inside the house by providing
them a place to dance through the night.
6. The two evergreen plants are the narrow-leaf yucca
and banana yucca. These plants are usually found
in open sunny areas, and serve as remindersof the
estate’s original, less vegetated condition.
Gardens and landscaping were an important part of the
Arts and Crafts style home. However, in Flagstaff’s dry
climate, it made more sense for the family to allow their
estate to remain largely in its natural
state. Historic photos in the visitor
center show that this little knoll was
mostly bare of trees when the home was
built. The Riordans allowed Ponderosa
pine seedlings to grow
