6 Facts About Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

Riordan Mansion State Park is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Mansion itself resides on the property. It is now a museum housing artifacts that showcase the history of Flagstaff.

1) Riordan Mansion Was Designed by Charles Whittlesey

Whittlesey also designed the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Hotel.

2) Brothers Michael and Timothy Riordan Built the Mansion

They moved from Chicago in the mid-1800s to help their brother Matthew “D.M.” Riordan run a lumber company that often employed the majority of the population of up and coming Flagstaff.

3) The Riordan’s Strove to Make Flagstaff a Great Place to Live

They and their wives developed a hospital, a community hotel, brought electricity to the town, as well as helped establish Northern Arizona University.

4) The Riordan Mansion is Actually Two Identical Homes

The two identical houses are connected by one room. All in all, there are 40 rooms, about 13,000 square feet of floor space, and servants quarters.

5) The Mansion is an Example of Arts and Crafts Style Architecture

You’ll find rustic log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, as well as hand-split wooden shingles.

6) The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park Opened in 1983

However, it wasn’t until 2002 that you could explore the entire home. The second generation of Riordans donated the home to be used as a museum. Now people can learn more about not only the story of the Riordan family, but also Flagstaff.