In my previous hub, I mentioned one of my favorite examples of architecture, the Ritz-Carlton hotel in central Phoenix. I forgot to include a picture of it, so there it is---->

Isn't it groovy? While not as stunning as some of the architectural wonders in China or Singapore, it has a grace and understated elegance all its own. You have to see it in person to truly appreciate it.

Arizona is not without its own stunning examples of architecture. One of my favorites is:

Gammage Auditorium in Tempe Arizona

I first visited the Gammage Auditorium when I was nine years old. Our class went on a field trip to Tempe to various attractions, one of which was the Hayden Flour Mill. The Hayden Flour Mill, one of the oldest structures in Tempe, was built in 1874 and continued to mill flour until it shut down in 1997.

I have always been prone to motion sickness, particlularly on school buses. We had to line up for the bus the same way we queued up for any line, per our seating arrangements, which were alphabetical. Since my last name began with the letter "M", I was stuck towards the back of the bus with no clear view of the street in front of me — Just the shaved head of some redheaded boy with freckles on the back of his neck. I was also JUSSST close enough to those exhaust pipes to get a good healthy dose of old gas fumes, which was all it took to make me turn green. Fortunately my teacher saw that I was unwell, so she moved me to the front of the bus right next to the window, but it didn't help. I was SICK. So for some reason, we stopped at Gammage first, and they dropped me off there and went on to the flour mill. I sort of laid down on one of those plush seats and almost fell asleep. After a bit, I sat up and started looking around. It felt amazing to be all alone in that gorgeous place. I should have been scared, but I wasn't.

Can you imagine being in this beautiful, quiet place all by yourself, basking in its clear subdued theatre lights and plush golden seats? It was like being in church, only better, because I had the whole place to myself and I could walk around and look at everything to my heart's content. I have no idea how that happened - Years later I assumed that my teacher knew someone at Gammage who let me stay there while they proceeded on to the flour mill.

Presidential debates, RENT, Cats, and everything in between.

I have been to many events and performances in this building and never once have felt claustrophobic or like I am in "the nosebleed section". Any seat in the house provides a clear vantage point, even if Marge Simpson happens to sit right in front of you. The acoustics are incredible, and there's so much space between you and the seats in front of you, no one's posterior is in your face if someone has to get up during the performance for a potty break.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Gammage Auditorium, which is said to have been intended to be an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq. Grady Gammage, then President of Arizona State University (where the building sits), is said to have won Mr. Wright's design on a bet. I'm glad he did. because it is a gem! And if it had been built in Iraq, it would most likely have been another casualty of the war.

Gammage Memorial Auditorium was Frank Lloyd Wright's last architectural work.

The Tovrea Castle

The Tovrea Castle is a wonderful example of one of the first xeriscapes in Arizona's history. Xeriscape essentially means identifying, respecting and planting native plants in arid or semi-arid climates to promote water conservation. The castle's site had tons of cactus and other desert scrub plants like creosote and sage that, at the time (1928) were considered ugly by most people and removed and replaced with non-native plants requiring tons of water. Not so with Alessio Carraro, an Italian immigrant. He embraced and appreciated the beauty of the lush Arizona desert and with the help of Russian landscape architect Moktachev and his son and a crew of men designed and built stunning cactus gardens still flourishing today on the castle grounds. Carraro completed the castle, which was to be a resort, in 1930.

The castle itself was built on the top of a hill and can be seen for miles, resembling a wedding cake. Only when you walk through the grounds can you see the intricate and beautiful cactus gardens.

There goes the neighborhood.

About that time, the Tovrea family, local cattle and sheep barons, began operating a ranch right next door, constructing and filling huge pens with cows, bulls and sheep. Seeing that this would render his dream of a peaceful resort impossible, Carrao gave up and sold his castle to the Tovrea family and sought new adventures elsewhere.

Over the years, the Tovrea family occupied the castle, mostly as a winter home. Eventually the occupants left the castle and it started to fall into disrepair and its beautiful cactus gardens began deteriorating, so they sold the property to the city of Phoenix in 1993. Some residents see the Tovrea castle as an money-hemorrhaging eyesore, while others, like myself, see it as a true landmark rich with history and full of dreams past, present and future. Whenever I drive on the Hohokam Expressway and pass the castle, I think of all of those people who built it and lived there and their dreams, and I am glad the city's planners want to preserve it.

I'll have a Brontoburger, side of fries and a Stone Age shake please.

On your way to the Grand Canyon and feeling hungry? Then stop at Fred's Diner in Bedrock City, Arizona for a quick bite. While these architecture examples are by no means stunning, they are by all accounts unusual and fun. Bedrock City is one of those little side trips you make on your journey to grander destinations like The Grand Canyon. It's kind of fun to see a giant dinosaur on the side of the road, and little houses that look just like the ones on the popular TV show from the 60's "The Flintstones".

While the theme park is kind of run-down and certainly not buzzing with activity, it is a fun stop for Grand Canyon visitors from all over the world, and one of those oddities of America's scenic byways.

MJRcosette ©2009 http://hubpages.com/hub/ARCHITECTURE-Local-Architectural-Wonders