Places

The entire Wupatki Visitor Center Complex is on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. The Original Ranger house and Visitor Center were constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The current visitor center and ranger housing were built in 1964 as part of the Park Service's Mission 66 Project. The flagpole you see today has been standing for 60 years!

 
The front entryway of a late 1930s red sandstone house in the Pueblo Revival style.
The front entryway of The Stone House (aka Residence 1) which is ranger housing built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Pueblo Revival style.

NPS - Nova J.

The Stone House - Wupatki Residence 1

Historical sense of a particular time period is important for maintaining the site’s relationship to Wupatki National Monument and its cultural significance. Residence 1 retains the aesthetic of southwestern rustic park structures and is included in the Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center Complex Historical District. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), partnered with NPS architect Cecil Doty started construction of the building in 1938 and completed it in 1940, 16 years after Wupatki was established as a National Monument.

 
A black and white photo from the 1930s of a stone house under construction with a pueblo in the background.
Residence 1 under construction looking northwest c. 1939

NPS: Natt Dodge with David Jones (Source: Wupatki National Monument Archives).

Construction

Residence 1 was designed to blend in with the appearance and aesthetic of its surrounding geological formations of Moenkopi sandstone, native plants, and the view of the Painted Desert to the East. The presence of its original architectural context contributes to the house’s integrity. The structure resembles the Pueblo Revival Style. The characteristics include flat roofs with parapets and canales, exposed viga ends at the exterior, and exposed vigas and ceiling boards in the interior.

 
A black and white photo from 1950 of Courtney and Davey Jones in front of the Pueblo Revival stone house.
Courtney and David Jones in the east garden, c. 1950

NPS - Source: Wupatki National Monument Archives

The Jones’

In 1938, administrative facilities were underway and the CCC began construction. Courtney Jones and her husband, Custodian David Jones were the first to live in Residence 1. But before they moved in, the Jones’ lived inside of the Wupatki Pueblo at site #17. Custodian Jones sent monthly reports to the Southwestern Monuments Superintendent that describe what it was like to live in an 800-year-old pueblo.A monthly report dating to May of 1939 describes the following:

“Work on the residence is progressing rapidly under Foreman Leedham. Within the next few weeks, it will be ready for roofing. While we are anxious to see the house completed, we shall not move out of the quarters in the ruin without misgivings. At present there is a bond between us and the ‘old people’ in that it is our home too ... In addition, living in the ruin, we have a better opportunity of ‘contacting’ our visitors. You would be surprised what friendships will spring up after an hour in our quarters.”

Letters between Courtney and her family and friends also describe what it was like.At the time, it was uncommon for women to work for the National Park System, but that did not sway Courtney’s love for culture, learning, and adventure. The Jones’ time in the pueblo and at Residence 1 gave them the opportunity to form a relationship with the Peshlakai family.

 
The architectural floor plans of a one story house with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a large garden, and three garage bays.
Floor plans for The Stone House before restoration.

NPS

Restoration

The Park Service began restoration of The Stone House in 2019 with intent to maintain the character of the structure, while simultaneously ensuring that there were adequate safety features such as a fire suppression system. Character defining features are often aspects of design, construction, or detail that represents the function of the building and the historical significance. For example, mortar is recessed from the face of the Moenkopi stone to match the historic pueblo construction technique. Other features include slab-on-grade foundation, a flat roof with stone parapets and chimneys, exposed vigas, wood roof canales, carved wood corbels, enclosed courtyard with flagstone paving, stone steps, and multi-lite steel casement windows with wood lintels and stone sills. Historic Preservation techniques were used throughout the house and specialists were brought in to restore the wood vigas.

The interior of the residence includes a three-bay garage that is separated from the housing portion by a courtyard. Inside the house there is a living room, kitchen, utility room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. Today, the structure is still used as Park Housing.

 
The exterior entrance of a sandstone Pueblo Revival style building with three large paned windows and a small courtyard.
Front entrance and courtyard of the CCC build Stone House.

NPS

Preservation

Preservation of the Stone House included replacing and sealing any damage to the wooden vigas, new window glass, new doors, and stone work on garden walls and paths.

 
An interior living room with off-white plaster walls and a gray floor. There is a French style double door on the far wall, exposed wooden vigas in the ceiling, and large casement windows on either side.
The main living room of the Stone House

NPS

The exposed wooden vigas are a signature feature on the interior of the house. The kiva fireplace with a flagstone hearth also remains intact and is a representation of the interior character of the structure.

 
A small kitchen with off white plastered walls, white countertops, light gray cabinets, and a gray floor.
Stone House Restored Kitchen

NPS

The kitchen was restored with all new applicances and cabinets. As much as possible, fixtures were chosen in a style that does not clash with the time period of the house.

Last updated: March 18, 2024

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6400 U.S. 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

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