If you like local history and hiking, this is for you. There is a stone house, or what remains of a stone house, in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve that likely dates to the early 20th century. Part of the house is just native rock and dirt, with gravity holding it together. Then an addition was added when cement was more easily brought in because there is quite a bit of mortar between the rock as well and over it.
An easy way to find the stone house is to search for for 11653 N. Cave Creek Road on Google. It’s the Iron Horse Corral, a motorcycle repair place. Switch to satellite view and look due east. You’ll see the stone house. It isn’t very big and it definitely is a ruin, but it’s a authentic tidbit of Phoenix history.
There are plenty of old mining attempts in the area, which are evident from the hole in the ground and the pile of rock next to or below it. You can still find old rusty food cans and such scattered about.
Rico Mercury Mine, circa 1930, Photo: Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resource
Also, there used to be a mining operation right where the 51st and Northern avenue intersect. It was the Rico Mercury Mine. There were even mine shafts where Mercury Mine School is located. Read an article about the mining operation from the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources.
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Interesting to know. I’ve been to many of Arizona’s old sites and natural ones too. There is plenty to see in Arizona. Been to Cave Creek but never seen the old house out there. I think I’ll take a trip out to see.
Keep in mind the stone house is off Cave Creek Road, just south of Cactus, not in the town of Cave Creek. It’s in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Didn’t want you to go an extra 25 miles out of your way. –Dan