Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com
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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Casa Grande meaning "Big House" or "Great House" is a 4-story structure built by the Hohokam in the mid-1300s. Constructed with layers of caliche mud, the walls of the tower are 4.5 feet thick at the base.

This mysterious structure, with holes in 3 walls, is believed to have been used for astronomical observation. A circular hole (see photo, next page) in the upper west wall aligns with the setting sun during the summer solstice. Other openings also align with the sun and moon at specific times. Casa Grande is the largest structure built by the Hohokam and represents the height of their architecture.

Casa Grande Ruins is the first archeological site to be preserved by the federal government and the fifth oldest unit in the National Park Service. Set aside as a federal land reserve in 1892 and then as a National Monument in 1918, Casa Grande Ruins is a very special place, a place where history transcends 600 years of continuous occupation.

Allow about an hour to visit the Ruins. There are regularly scheduled guided tours from January through April.

Facilities: A public phone, rest rooms and drinking fountains are provided at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

Reservations: Group reservations are accepted at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Guided tours are provided for school and tour groups during the rest of the year but are dependent on staff availability.

Best Time To Visit: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is open year-round from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except December 25.

Fees: An entrance fee is charged. Children 16 and under are admitted free. Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passport cards are honored.

Accessibility: All facilities and the Ruins Trail are fully accessible.

Rules: It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.

Directions: To reach the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument from Chandler and the Phoenix metro area: Take Interstate 10 East (toward Tucson) for approximately 40 miles, then take the AZ-387 exit (Exit 185). Turn left at the end of the off-ramp onto AZ-187/AZ-387. Do not turn right in the direction of the city of Casa Grande! Go over Interstate 10 overpass, then make a right turn onto AZ-387. Proceed over some low hills for about 7 miles to AZ-87. Turn right on AZ-87 (in the direction of Coolidge) and continue for 7 miles to the intersection of AZ-87 and AZ-287. Turn right and look for the entrance gate to the Monument about 1/4 mile on the right. Proceed for 3/4 mile down the entrance road to the parking lot.

To reach the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument from Tucson: Take Interstate 10 West (toward Phoenix) for approximately 47 miles, then take the AZ-87 exit (Exit 211b). Continue straight to go onto Frontage Road. After 1/2 mile, turn slightly to the right and stay in the right lane to go North on AZ-87 toward Coolidge. Proceed on AZ-87 for 19 miles to Coolidge. Continue through Coolidge (about 3 miles) and look for the entrance to the monument on the left directly across from Safeway Plaza shopping area on the right. Proceed for 3/4 mile down the entrance road to the parking lot.


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com
	Click here for additional photos

Address

1100 Ruins Drive

Coolidge, Arizona 85228

Phone
General: (520) 723-3172

Website

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