Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological ParkAncient Native American Ruins Uncovers Phoenix's Hidden Past Go to Pueblo Grande Phoenix Arizona sections: What Makes Pueblo Grande Ruins SpecialIn the heart of Phoenix, near downtown, lie the remains of a once vast and complex civilization, known as the Hohokam (pronounced Ho-ho-KAHM).The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park preserves the ruins of a 1,500 year old Hohokam village once inhabited by this prehistoric culture.
The park is named after the site’s largest feature - a platform mound that is one of the largest of over 50 similar structures found throughout the Salt River Valley. The village sits on the north side of the Salt River. The Hohokam once farmed this area. It is hard to imagine today, but at one time water flowed year round through the Salt River, providing irrigation to the extensive Hohokam farm fields. Today, Pueblo Grande is surrounded by development and in view of Sky Harbor International Airport. Visit here and you'll see how these successful, desert-dwelling Native Americans - using only their hands and knowledge - created the most sophisticated irrigation canal system in the New World. And, they lived through Arizona's hot summers without benefit of air conditioning or refrigeration. Throughout the Southwest, there are many interesting Native American ruins. Arizona is lucky to have some of the most beautiful and interesting sites. Although Pueblo Grande does not have the dramatic architecture of the Pueblo ruins of the Anasazi and Sinagua cultures to the north, these Phoenix Arizona ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into Hohokam culture. Although they have long gone, the Hohokam's mysterious architectural structures and the collapse of their intricate civilization have left us with much to ponder and explore. About the HohokamOver 700 years ago, the Hohokam people farmed the Valley of the Sun using an intricate and extensive network of canals that channeled water from the nearby Salt River.
The longest canal once ran all the way to Glendale, Arizona, some 20 miles away. At one time, the Hohokam civilization inhabited over 45,000 square miles throughout the Sonoran Desert - ranging as far north as Arizona’s Mogollon Rim and south into present day Mexico. The Hohokam were masters of irrigation, a skill that allowed them to successfully farm in the desert. The sophisticated Hohokam irrigation system was the basis for their entire economy. Hohokam irrigation consisted of a network of diversion dams, headgates and canals - all hand-built using stone hoes, wooden sticks and baskets. Because the Sonoran Desert generally receives rainfall twice per year, the Hohokam were able to take advantage of two growing seasons. The Hohokam agriculture crops included amaranth, cotton, beans, squash and corn.
In addition to farming, they also relied heavily on the abundant natural desert foods. They would have foraged or hunted for saguaro cactus fruit, cholla cactus buds, prickly pear pads and fruit, agave stalks, mesquite beans, deer, rabbits, and fish and turtles from nearby rivers. What happened to the Hohokam? No one knows for certain. Archaeologists speculate that, although they were a skilled and sophisticated civilization, their population outgrew its ability to withstand the desert’s constant cycles of floods and droughts. Possible food shortages coupled with internal strife may also have been a factor in their decline. The Hohokam abandoned the Salt River Valley sometime in the 15th century before Columbus even set foot in the New World. Today, most Hohokam sites have been paved over by the ever-expanding greater Phoenix area, making Pueblo Grande a very special place indeed. What You'll See at Pueblo Grande MuseumBefore you start exploring the park, take time to watch the short video that will introduce you to the park and Hohokam culture.
Then, go outside and begin exploring along on the Ruin Trail. This easy, paved path takes you past all of the prehistoric and recreated exhibits of the 102-acre archaeological park. One of its most significant features is the remnants of the 800-year old platform mound. Its thick adobe and rock walls once enclosed a maze of rooms, with few doors. Mounds are thought to have been ceremonial areas or administrative centers. From its top, the Hohokam could look out over the Salt River Valley and monitor the headgates of ten different canals. Archaeologists speculate that only the leaders of Hohokam society may have had access to the mound. Today, you can walk up a winding path to the top of what remains.
It is an amazing feeling to stand on the mound where the Hohokam once stood, high up above the grounds, looking out over Phoenix. One of Pueblo Grande’s outdoor exhibits recreates full-scale reproductions of Hohokam pithouses. You can walk through the adobe buildings and the pithouses and see the exhibits within that illustrate Hohokam daily life. The adobe compound shows how the interior walls of their pithouses were lined with saguaro cactus ribs and ocotillo wands. You'll also see replicas of Hohokam artifacts, such as baskets and the distinctive Hohokam red-on-buff pottery.
Pueblo Grande also has an excavated Hohokam ballcourt, similar to ones found in Mexico. The hole at the end of the ballcourt is thought to be where a goal would have been scored. Scientists believe that the Hohokam used these courts for ball games that may have been part of a ritual or ceremony, both of which were very important to the Hohokam culture. Other excavated Hohokam ballcourts in the Phoenix area have contained small figurines of ball players and two balls made of natural rubber. Highlights of Pueblo Grande Museum and ParkPueblo Grande also preserves some of the last remaining undisturbed Hohokam irrigation canals at the Park of Four Waters.
There are more than 20 canals in this area alone. Pueblo Grande village once controlled the headgates of the canals. Archaeologists estimate that these canals irrigated roughly 10,000 acres of farmland along the Salt River. These canals often measured as wide as 30 feet and as deep as 20 feet. Hohokam canals delivered water from the Gila and Salt Rivers to tens of thousands of acres of fields. Archaeologists have recorded over 300 miles of major prehistoric canals and nearly three times that number of smaller ones in the lower Salt River Valley alone. Centuries later, Anglo settlers in the Phoenix area dug out these canals and used them to irrigate their own fields. Unfortunately most of the canals were obliterated by early Anglo settlers and subsequent agriculture and urbanization. Currently, this adjacent site is open by special tour only. Call the park for details about upcoming tours. Favorite Features at Pueblo Grande Museum and ParkWe really enjoyed Pueblo Grande’s wonderful museum which features the long-term exhibit hall, The Hohokam: The Land and The People.
This exhibit describes the life of the Hohokam in rich detail. There is a great model of the Hohokam canals as well as displays on how they were engineered and maintained. Before you head out to see the park, be sure to checkout the detailed model of the original Pueblo Grande village which sits in the lobby. This will give you an idea of the size and complexity of the village in its heyday.
Using photomurals, natural desert materials, Hohokam pottery and tools and hands-on exhibits, you'll can learn how the Hohokam farmed the land and created a thriving and sophisticated civilization. They traded far and wide, wove beautiful textiles and created lovely jewelry from shells collected from the Gulf of California, which was much sought after by other cultures. The hands-on exhibit, Dig It!: Explore Archeology, gives kids the chance to learn how archaeologists excavate and preserve ruins. The museum's Changing Exhibit Hall features temporary exhibits. Be sure to stop in here as you might see selections of pottery from Pueblo Grande's special collection or ancient American Indian artifacts from other Southwestern tribes.
Before you leave, stop in at the Museum Store. This great gift shop has a very good selection of American Indian arts and crafts and desert foods like prickly pear jelly and saguaro flower honey. There is also a great selection of books on Native American cultures, desert natural history and field guides to common desert animals and plants. Pueblo Grande Museum also has a variety of activities and events throughout the year. The most popular is the annual Indian Market held the first Saturday and Sunday in December. Because its so large and popular, the Market is held off site at Steele Indian School Park. The Market features over 250 Native American artists representing over 60 tribes. You'll also see cultural exhibits, traditional dances and music and kid's crafts. There's even native foods and Southwest specialties try. This is considered to be one of the top 10 Native American markets in the country. Proceeds benefit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Park and a scholarship fund for Native American fine arts students. Fast Facts: Fast Facts: Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological ParkWhat to Know Before You Go:
Location: Pueblo Grande Park and museum is on the southeast corner of 44th Street and Washington, just west of State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) and north of Sky Harbor Airport. Address: 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Google Map Directions: Click on "+" and "-" signs on Map Controls in upper left hand corner to zoom in and out on the location. Phone: (602) 495-0901. Hours May - September: Admission Fee: Visitor Amenities: Museum; gift shop; picnic area; food and beverage machines. Activities: Variety of activities throughout the year including:
Special festivals include:
The information in this review was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Phoenix Arizona Vacation page from Pueblo Grande page
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