Petrified Forest National Park in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

At the Oasis

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024

1. At the Oasis Marker

Inscription. Strong lines, flat roofs, smooth, unadorned wall surfaces, and asymmetrical facades are the main characteristics of the International Style of architectural design. In the United States, Richard Neutra was a top architect on this style. In a daring move, the National park Service hired Neutra and Robert Alexander to design its new headquarters complex at Petrified Forest. Construction began in 1961, with the main building dedicated in October 1963.

Neutra gave the park a modernist twist on the traditional southwestern pueblo-a place for both business and residential life. He designed low buildings around a central plaza. He insisted on large windows to bring in the Arizona sunlight and high walls to keep out wind. The Painted Desert Community Complex is a unique example of mid-century architecture, unlike anything in use anywhere else in the National park System.

As you enjoy the amenities here, imagine this as a Neutra's oasis in the desert.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1963.

Location. 35° 3.955′ N,

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109° 46.879′ W. Marker is in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, in Apache County. It is on Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Park Road, Petrified Forest Natl Pk AZ 86028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tawa Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Painted Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Enduring Abode (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Gap in the Geologic Record (approx. 0.8 miles away); Path of Least Resistance (approx. 0.9 miles away); Early Explorers (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024

2. At the Oasis Marker

markers in Petrified Forest National Park.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Painted Desert / Finding Fossils (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.