Tempe Directory of Historic Buildings 

Tempe has more than 200 historic buildings. Enjoy this searchable directory of information and photos.  For more information on any of these properties or to learn how your property can be listed, please contact Tempe Historic Preservation Officer Zachary Lechner at Zachary_Lechner@tempe.gov.

Many of the properties on the Tempe Historic Register, the National Register of Historic Places, or the list of Historic Eligible properties are privately owned and not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of those who may be living in these houses. 

Historic Eligible is a formal classification of parcels which contain buildings, structures, or sites which meet the criteria for designation as a Tempe Historic Property, but which have not been formally designated as "Historic." 

How to Use This Directory

You may search this directory by the categories of Tempe Historic Register, National Historic Register and Historic Eligible Properties. Simply click the down arrow on the All Categories box below and select the one you would like to see. All the properties in that category will appear.  

Location:  118 E. 7th Street
Survey Number: HPS-105
Year Built: 1903
Architectural Style: Neo-Colonial Influence

SUMMARY
The 1903 Harry Walker House is significant as a rare remaining example of the West Tempe residential neighborhood; as an example of a modest home built for a working class family; and as an excellent local example of the Georgian Revival mode of the Neo-Colonial style.

A: HISTORIC EVENTS
West Tempe was an 18 block area of mixed land use laid out in relation to North Tempe (Hayden’s property) and East (San Pablo) Tempe by Townsite Commissioners Winchester Miller, Chas. T. Hayden and David J. Wilson, in 1886. More than 14 years after map the original map was prepared, it was officially recorded to aid in promotion and development of the townsite. The Harry Walker House is one of the few remaining homes from what was one of Tempe’s earliest residential neighborhoods, West Tempe.

B: PERSONS
Harry Walker was groundskeeper for the Tempe Normal School during the first decade of the twentieth century before becoming an engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad in Northern Arizona. The house was used primarily as a rental throughout the historic period and in 1954, Thomas S. Montgomery, local architect, opened his offices in the building. It has functioned as commercial property since that time and its original architectural integrity has remained intact and enhanced through continued use and maintenance.

C: ARCHITECTURE
Constructed in 1903, the Harry Walker House is significant as a rare surviving example of an early Tempe house type and for its contribution to the interpretation of the architectural evolution of Tempe. Its construction dates from the period between the recession of the late Victorian design influences and the overwhelming popularity of the Bungalow style. This residential design era often included influences from the Georgian Revival mode of the Neo-Colonial style. The Harry Walker House is an excellent local example of this house type built for a modest working class family.

SOURCES
National Register Nomination, 1984
Return to full list >>