- City:
- Phoenix, AZ
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Amphitheaters and Bandshells
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Started:
- 1933
- Completed:
- 1934
- Quality of Information:
- Good
- Marked:
- No
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The amphitheater in the Papago Buttes at the north end of the Papago city park in Phoenix AZ was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933-34.
“Civilian Conservation Corps camp SP5A constructed an amphitheater built into Papago Buttes southeast of the Arsenal between December 1933 and April 1934. The open-air amphitheater accommodates 3,500 people; it has been used for many functions, but most memorable were the Easter Sunrise Services.” (content.library.arizona.edu)
Maintenance of the amphitheater appears to be somewhat neglected today (2019).
Source notes
https://content.library.arizona.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/NewDeal/id/178/rec/26
https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAB57_Papago_Park_Amphitheater_Phoenix_AZ
Site originally submitted by Catherine Powers Whynot on January 2, 2013.
At this Location:
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Hi,
I have information, maps, and articles from 1934 when the Amphitheater was dedicated. My grandfather, JJ Powers was the park service architect working with the CCC encampment. He later transferred to the position of Park Maintenance Supervisor in December 1936.
I have several items that help provide the history of the undertaking, along with pictures, my grandfather’s architect tools and such. I am trying to find the right opportunity or source to have these items donated for the history in the making of a landmark that brought over 6000 folks to Easter Sunrise Services.
Please let me know , who I can connect with to continue preserving a piece of history in Phoenix.
Sincerely,
Catherine Powers Whynot
Hi Catherine.
Drop us a note at Salt River Stories (saltriverstories.org); we’re telling local histories and would love to hear yours (and help you find a home for those photographs and tools.)