Florence in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

W.C. Smith/Rittenouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store

Historic Site

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 31, 2022

1. W.C. Smith/Rittenouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store Marker

Inscription. In 1901, Aquiles Arriola opened his store here with a great variety of goods lining the store walls. Arriola's son, Gustavo, grew up to be a well-known cartoonist with his own comic strip "Gordo". He wrote in his auto biography "Accidental Ambassador" that his father's general store was unique as it was the only one in town that sold fresh oysters. Aquiles would hold gramophone concerts at the store and he sold the gramophone players with the records.

When opened in 1880, this building was first called the W.C. Smith Store and in 1884, the name W. C. Smith Store changed hands to J.D. Rittenhouse Store. It was frontier style clapboard with a false height front. This commercial building has a long, rectangular plan and was built with its front façade on the parcel's Main Street property line. A second story wood frame was added later and the front was then changed to cement and stucco.

Listed, National Register of Historic Places

Year built: circa 1880
315 North Main Street

Erected 2013 by The Town of Florence and the Historic District Advisory Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 33° 2.082′

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N, 111° 23.242′ W. Marker is in Florence, Arizona, in Pinal County. It is on North Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 North Main Street, Florence AZ 85132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

in the San Carlos Apache Nation,

and specifically 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

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mauk Building (a few steps from this marker); Charles Rapp Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); C. G. Powell People's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Jesus Martinez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Avenenti Building (within shouting distance of this marker); White-McCarthy Lumber and Hardware Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Conrad Brunenkant Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ross/Fryer – Cushman Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

W.C. Smith/Rittenhouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 15, 2014

2. W.C. Smith/Rittenhouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 15, 2014

3. W.C. Smith/Rittenhouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store Marker

W.C. Smith/Rittenhouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 15, 2014

4. W.C. Smith/Rittenhouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 16, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.