Last updated: August 20, 2021
Place
Auto Tour Stop 1n14 Painted Desert Community Complex
Beinlich
Quick Facts
Location:
North entrance of the park near exit #311 off I-40
Significance:
Visitor Center and other amenities
Designation:
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005
Amenities
39 listed
Accessible Rooms, Accessible Sites, Automated Entrance, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Baby Changing Station, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Electric Car Charging Station, First Aid Kit Available, First Aid/Medical Care Available, Food/Drink - Cafeteria, Food/Drink - Coffee, Food/Drink - Ice Cream, Food/Drink - Snacks, Fuel (Unleaded), Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Groceries/Convenience Items, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Park Newspaper Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Permits Issued, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Recycling, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Supplies - General, Toilet - Flush, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available
Location: North to south tour starts at Painted Desert Visitor Center Parking Lot. South to north tour ends here.The Painted Desert Community Complex is a mid-century architectural treasure that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built as headquarters for the park, visitor center with concession, but also as a complete community for the folks who worked at the park. Designed to resemble the historic pueblos with a modern twist, the complex featured houses, apartments, a school, post office, and community building where they had dances and get togethers. Today, the Painted Desert Community Complex is still home to many of the employees. You can ask for a brochure for a self-guided exploration of this historic district built by Richard Neutra in 1962.
As you leave the complex and continue through the north entrance station, you are traveling across Headquarters Mesa. Do you know the difference between a mesa and a butte? It has to do with ratios. A mesa tends to be wider than it is tall whereas a butte is taller than it is wide. Of course, local and historic names don’t always follow that definition!
North to south tour continue to Tiponi Point.
South to north tour: thank you for exploring Petrified Forest National Park. We hope you enjoyed your tour.
As you leave the complex and continue through the north entrance station, you are traveling across Headquarters Mesa. Do you know the difference between a mesa and a butte? It has to do with ratios. A mesa tends to be wider than it is tall whereas a butte is taller than it is wide. Of course, local and historic names don’t always follow that definition!
North to south tour continue to Tiponi Point.
South to north tour: thank you for exploring Petrified Forest National Park. We hope you enjoyed your tour.