Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Riordan Building
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 2023
1. The Riordan Building Marker
Built 1900
by Timothy & Michael Riordan
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 35° 11.478′ N, 111° 39.798′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is at the intersection of West Route 66 (Business Interstate 40) and West Riordan Road, on the right when traveling east on West Route 66. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 821 W Riordan Rd, Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country and in Hopi. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Navajo Code Talkers (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Elm (approx. 0.4 miles away); The McCormick Rose (approx. 0.4 miles away); First School Opened in Flagstaff (approx. half a mile away); Soda Acid Fire Extinguisher / Stone Water Tank (approx. Ύ mile away); Flagstaff Presbyterian, Federated Community, Mexican Methodist Mission and United Methodist Churches
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Old Tractor (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding The Riordan Building. Excerpts from the National register nomination:
One of only 3 buildings in survey area associated with the development and growth of one of the states most important industries. Served as the offices of the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company from 1900 through 1932.
[Chicago lumberman Edward Everett] Ayer hired fellow Chicagoan D.M. Riordan as general manager of his Flagstaff operation. In 1884 Riordan enticed his two brothers, T.A. and M.J. Riordan, to join him in Flagstaff with positions in the Ayer Lumber Company. By 1887, Ayer negotiated the sale of the company to the Riordans who reorganized it as the Arizona Lumber Company and eventually as the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company
Despite a fire which destroyed the mill in 1887 and another devastating fire in 1897, the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company became a dominant force in the lumber industrystatewide.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 20232. The Riordan Building Marker
Technological advances during the mid-1920s allowed the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company to double its production without doubling its employees. Competition for local and regional markets intensified during this period until the stock market crash of 1929. Sales dropped sharply and the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company closed its mill in 1930. It opened the operation again in 1931 on a part-time basis but business had dropped almost 75% below that of 1928. In 1933, the Riordans liquidated their lumber interests to make other investments.
Also see . . .
1. Arizona Lumber and Timber Company Office (PDF). Arizona State Historic Property Inventory form for the building, which was listed as part of the Flagstaff Multiple Resource Area in 1986. (Submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Flagstaff MRA (PDF). National Register nomination for the multiple resource area, which includes this building and was listed in 1986. (Prepared by (Submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. The Flagstaff Timber Empire. Multimedia storymap on the rise of Flagstaff's timber industry with a focus on the Arizona Lumber & Timber Co. and its environmental impact. (Alex Williams, Northern Arizona
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 2023
3. The Riordan Building
View of the front, from Riordan Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
