Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

Riordan brothers Timothy and Michael arrived in Flagstaff during the mid-1880s and eventually took over the Arizona Lumber & Timber Company. Both became involved in the social, business, and political life of early Flagstaff. In 1904, they built a grand mansion just south of downtown. A Rendezvous Room connected the wings occupied by each brother’s family. The architect Charles Whittlesey, who also designed El Tovar Hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon, used a similar rustic style of logs and stonework for the mansion exterior. The brothers christened their joint home Kinlichi, Navajo for Red House.

The park (409 Riordan Rd., 928/779-4395, $6 adults, $2.50 ages 7–13) offers tours of 50–60 minutes in Timothy’s side of the house that reveal life in Flagstaff during the early 1900s. All the rooms still display original furnishings, most in the Arts and Crafts style. The wing occupied by Michael’s family has exhibits that you can see on your own. You can compare the two sides of the house, which mirror each other.

Open year-round, the visitors center’s summer hours (May–Oct.) are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; tours depart on the hour with the first one at 9 a.m. and the last at 4 p.m. During the rest of the year, hours are 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, with the first tour at 11 a.m. and the last at 4 p.m. It’s best to phone in advance for tour reservations. There’s no charge to see the exhibits in the visitors center or to take the self-guided tour of the grounds. You can picnic under the pines near the parking area. You’ll find this piece of historic Flagstaff between S. Milton Road and Northern Arizona University, about a half mile south of downtown; turn east on Riordan Road toward Northern Arizona University from S. Milton Road, then turn right at the sign, opposite Ardrey Auditorium.