Glendale in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Murphy Park

Established 1909

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 4, 2010

1. Murphy Park Marker

Inscription. Originally known as "The Park" or "City Park," Murphy Park has always been the center of downtown Glendale. The park's namesake, W. J. Murphy, established Glendale in 1892 and donated the park to the town in 1909. Residents protected the park as a community space, allowing only a public library to be built here (the first in 1917, a second in 1938, and the current one in 1971). In 1912, patriotic residents installed a 110-foot wooden flagpole here. The tallest flagpole in the state stood until 1964. That same year the Glendale City Council renamed the park for Murphy.

Erected by City of Glendale.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 33° 32.385′ N, 112° 11.039′ W. Marker is in Glendale, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is at the intersection of North 58th Avenue and West Glenn Drive, on the right when traveling south on North 58th Avenue. Marker is on northeast corner of the J.W. Murphy Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glendale AZ 85301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glendale Business District (within shouting distance of this marker); Glendale's Towering Flagstaff (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Robert W. Cole Building (about 300 feet away); William J. Murphy (about 400 feet away); Methodist Episcopal Church of Glendale Sanctuary (about 400 feet away); Hine Building (about 500 feet away); Sine Building (about 500 feet away); Glendale Townsite (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 4, 2010

2. Murphy Park Marker

Public Library in background

Glendale's Towering Flagstaff image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 4, 2010

3. Glendale's Towering Flagstaff

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,493 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.