A rcadia, Arizona holds a rich history, beginning as Ameri- can railroads expanded to cross the vast country. Men, women and families were leaving behind their life, moving west in hopes of opportunities and the dream of an abundant future. The hotel industry began in Arcadia in 1910 with William John Murphy and never let up. Building the Ingleside Club, for Murphy, was merely a business deci- sion, directed at housing and entertain- ing prospective land buyers, who could in turn help his own business deals. Little did this roadbed contractor for the Atlantic and Pacic Railroads know, he was beginning a long history of local ho- tels and resorts, in one of Phoenix’s most treasured neighborhoods. In the early 1900s, artist Jessie Ben- ton Evans bought 40 acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, giving twelve of those acres to her son, architect Robert T. Evans and his wife Sylvia. On their land, Robert and Sylvia chose to build a unique home, made of adobe bricks and two large bell towers. Upon seeing this home, a young Hopi Indian boy called it “Jokake” meaning, “mud house.” The name stuck and the Jokake Inn was born. The building was eventually expanded to accommodate visitors for tea in 1926 and overnight guests, in 1928. Although small, the Jokake Inn became the place to stay in Scottsdale. In 1932, Barbara and George Ashford, daughter and son-in-law of Sylvia and Bob Evans, opened the Jokake School for Girls, on the same property as the Inn. The school was designed to be ex- tremely exclusive, with tuition ranging from $3,500 to $4,000 per year. One teacher was assigned to every four stu- dents. Attendees of the school included daughters of Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Brophy, John C. Lincoln and J.C. Penny. The school ourished and grew to a ca- pacity of 100 by 1943. It then closed in 1945 when the Jokake Inn needed the land to ex- pand. After their divorce in the 1940s, Sylvia continued to operate the inn until 1952 when Charles Alberding of Alonsett Hotels pur- chased it. The Jokake Inn closed its doors for good in 1970. In 1985, real estate developer and nancier Charles Keating had a vision to build a mas- sive, multi-million dollar resort, bringing a bit of European decadence to the desert. He purchased the land at the base of Camelback Mountain for its expansive and recognizable features, as well as the stunning views of the city skyline. The original Jokake Inn, with its tall bell towers and adobe bricks stands proudly at the entryway of Keating’s hotel, The Phoenician. Now owned by Starwood Hotels & Re- sorts Worldwide, Inc., The Phoenician re- mains one of the city’s premier properties, recognized globally. Paradise Inn When they divorced in 1943, Bob Evans left the Jokake Inn to his ex-wife Sylvia and built another resort, The Paradise Inn, on remaining parts of his mother’s property. Bob Evans designed, built and man- aged his resort and required that his guests be from only the highest realm of society. All guests were reportedly required to be deemed “socially t and healthy” by man- agement. In 1952, when Charles Alberding pur- chased Jokake, he also acquired all of the Evans holdings, which included the Paradise Inn and Valley Country Club. El Estribo In 1930, the Evans family built another building on their property called “Casa de la Montana” or House of the Mountain. They later changed the name to El Estribo (The Stirrup) and used the adobe home for guest rooms. El Estribo operated as a small lodge during the 1950s and 6os, advertising itself as “Off the beaten pathway from trafc noise” and “limited to congenial guests who Jokake Inn Now the Phoenician Painter, Jessie Benton Evans, purchased the prop- erty, including 40 acres of surrounding desert and began renovating the pueblo-styled house to suit her taste. The Jokake Inn opened as a tea- room in 1926 and expanded to accommodate overnight guests in 1928.  o s  For their authentic desert surroundings and lush landscaping, both Jokake Inn and The Phoenician have hosted numerous lm and televi- sion productions. Perhaps one of the best known is the movie “Raising Arizona,” starring Nicholas Cage, which featured Jokake Inn. Center: The bell towers today. 

desire rest and relaxation.” One of the hotels most famous guests was Senator Ted Kennedy, who in 1969 reportedly stayed for over a month, while in seclu- sion. Adjacent to the Phoeni- cian, El Estribo was nearly destroyed in 1984, but was saved and restored. It is now a private residence. The Valley Ho In the mid-1950s, Rob- ert and Evelyn Foehl came up with an in- spired hotel concept. Robert had worked at the Arizona Biltmore and had managed the Jokake Inn. He was condent in his knowledge and worked hard to establish investors and an ar- chitect, to bring his dream to fruition. Designed by Edward L. Varney, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the building was cre- ated with the desire to be “forward looking and futuristic.” In March 1956 a contest was held to name the hotel. “Valley” was applied because of its location, near Paradise Valley and “Ho” was used because of its Aboriginal translation “You Are Welcome Here.” The Valley Ho opened its doors in 1956 and became a quick hit amongst locals, tour- ists and celebrities. In 1973 Robert Foehl passed away and Evelyn sold The Valley Ho to Ramada Ho- tels. The new ownership brought with it a total redesign, as Ramada tried to cover up the 1950 design that they saw as outdated. gues who for sio c d d g Slowly, the Valley Ho lost its popularity. After closing in 2001, the once trendset- ting hot spot was set for demolition. Locals, however, who admired the hotel, fought to save it. The Valley Ho is now part of the Scottsdale Historic Register. Westroc Hotels bought The Valley Ho in 2002 and worked to bring back the brilliance that had once pulsated from the walls. A seven-story tower was added in the spirit of Varney’s original design and the “retro-chic” look was dramatically brought to the fore- front. The hotel reopened in 2005 and is now a AAA 4-diamond award winner. The Royal Palms Delos Cooke, a New York nan- cier, industrialist and the nephew of J.P. Morgan, came to Phoenix in the 1920s with his wife Florence, in hopes of building a sprawling winter home. 65-acres were purchased at the south- ern slope of Camelback Mountain and a 3,500 square feet mansion was designed by the architectural rm of Lescher & Mahoney. The couple wanted the home to be built in a “Spanish colonial style” and eventually lled it with treasures from their frequent trips throughout the world. The property became home to over 900 palm trees imported from Egypt and were a breathtaking focal point for anyone passing by. After Delos Cooke’s untimely death in 1931, his wife continued to spend her winters at the property. In 1937, however, Florence sold the property to W.E. Travis, then presi- dent of Greyhound Bus Lines. The home changed hands a number of times through the next few years and even- tually became the residence of former bandleader, Al Stovall. Stovall and his part- ners expected a boost in Southwest tourism after World War II and began plans to trans- form the glorious mansion into a rst-class inn. In 1948, the rst guests stayed at the Royal Palms Inn, named for its regal palms, which welcomed guests at the entrance. Charles Alberding, who had recently tak- en ownership of the Jokake Inn, purchased The Royal Palms in 1956. With Alberding in control, the hotel underwent massive con- struction, adding additional ho- tel rooms, a swimming pool, and golf course, as well as new build- ings and landscaping. The Royal Palms had quickly gone from being a beautiful inn, to a spectacular re- sort. Six years after Alberding’s death in 1989, his family sold the resort to local Arizona businessman Fred Un- ger. Unger restored the property to its original, 1920s Spanish charm. Today, after a multi-million dollar restoration, The Royal Palms is owned by Destination Hotels & Resorts, and its preservation as a historical property has been assured. y rchased rding in e con- - ts lar ned its has   Opening in December of 1956, the  Valley Ho  was the rst hotel in Scottsdale to have central air conditioning and the rst hotel to be open year-round. In 1957, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood held their private wedding reception in the hotel’s ballroom.  Part of the charm of the Royal Palms Inn is its history. Set on the southern side of Camelback Mountain in an expensive neigh- borhood, Royal Palms was originally a 1929 mansion built as a winter home by a New York City nancier who loved Spain.  The heart-shaped pool at the Royal Palms was known to be a favorite skinny-dipping spot for Eva Gabor, pictured above with dog, Baby. t rt  Opening in December of 1956, the V ll H th  t h t l i S tt d l chic fore- s now a d & me e” res the C b  Christopher King and Fred Dittmer at the Paradise Inn 1959.  El Estribo Guest Lodge sits on the south slope of Camelback Mountain and is now a private residence.