Publisher’s Note: Tourism rst became a staple to the Phoenix economy in the late 1800s. Although it had yet to be christened with the name, Arcadia was home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the country. W.J. Murphy was one of the pioneers, opening the Ingleside Inn in 1908. What followed could be considered an explosion of an industry, which led to “Climate” being considered one of Arizona’s ‘Five Cs’. For every one of the resorts we have covered there are ten that we did not, either due to the short lifespan of the venture or the idea that we will cover it later (perhaps a part IV?). In the process of researching this three- part series, we’ve learned a great deal about the history of our neighborhood’s resorts and the people behind them. I have agreed to author a book about Arcadia’s history. See my column on page 24 for more about that. And be sure to look online at our regular news site arcadiadaily.com, for more historical photos and postcards we dug up. Thank you for reading this cool series of historic resorts and hotels and thank you for reading the Arcadia News. Herma Inn In the 1930s, Alonzo “Lon” Mega- rgee set his sights on a piece of land in present day Paradise Valley. The land was extremely isolated and as he saw it, the perfect loca- tion for his one- room art studio. Lon earned a liv- ing as a cowboy, bronco-buster, stud poker dealer, commer- cial artist and home- builder. Although he was reportedly a ladies’ man, chasing numerous dreams, the most impor- tant thing was his adobe studio. Using sandy desert soil, Lon hand- made each adobe brick on site and slowly began the building process. With no for- mal plans, Lon learned the skills he need- ed along the way, eventually completing the home he came to call Casa Hermosa (beautiful house). With little cash rolling in from his art- work, Lon began making extra money running Casa Hermosa as a ranch house. The casa became a quick hit, possibly due to the rumors of gambling as well as under- ground tunnels, used to disguise any illegal activity. In the midst of a divorce in 1941, Lon was in nancial trouble and decided to sell his be- loved home. Casa Hermosa was purchased as a private home, but after frequent carloads of potential ranch guests, the new owner sud- denly found himself in the lodging business. Casa Hermosa had a number of owners throughout the years, each adding their own aspects and ideas. The name was eventually changed to the Hermosa Resort and became a key part of the local social scene. The 1980s were a near devastating time for the hotel, rst as it was caught in the national savings and loan crisis and again in 1987, when a re destroyed the main building. Businessman Fred Unger purchased the property in 1992 and along with Dan Mac- Beth, a local builder and designer, set out to restore the historical property. A library and boardroom were add- ed, as well as a spec- tacular underground wine cellar. Lon’s at The Hermosa, the hotel’s award win- ning restaurant named for its founder, is the home to Phoenix’s only subterra- nean wine cellar. Under- neath the restaurant, deep in Lon Megargee’s original secret tunnels, Unger has developed a unique way to store the hotel’s wine and savor its remarkable history. The tunnels now hold over 1,000 bottles of wine and can host seated events for 12 or stand-up receptions of over 25. Today, the Hermosa Inn is a luxurious ho- tel in the midst of Paradise Valley, known for its history, seclusion and beauty. The Camelback Inn Jack Stewart had a dream. As a young hotel manager, he somehow convinced a group of investors led by John C. Lincoln, to nance a re- sort, which looked spectacularly upon Camelback Mountain. In 1936, Stewart’s wish came true and the Camelback Inn was born. Known as Scottsdale’s rst luxury resort, it originally accom- modated 75 guests and became a favorite spot of wealthy trav- elers. The hotel was reached by enduring a 12-mile road of rough terrain from Phoenix and brought its guests into a secluded world of Southwestern adventure. Horseback riding and desert explorations, along with numerous outdoor activi- ties charmed guests. Megargee just wanted a place to paint. He didn’t want all these people hanging around his house. He built his studio on the top of the main tower, accessible only by ladder on the outside. When he didn’t want to be bothered, he’d pull the ladder up. In terms of adhering to the past, the seclusion of the treasure that is Hermosa Inn certainly follows in the footsteps of its original creator. Known by many for its sensational cos- tume events organized by Jack Stewart’s wife, Louise, the Camelback Inn was a resort that took great pride in entertaining its guests and establishing a deep connection with those who returned again and again. This great ca- maraderie developed in the Stewart years has brought families to the Camelback Inn for generations. Amongst the guests who visited The Camelback Inn in its early years were Clark Gable, Dwight D. Eisenhower and J.W. Marriott, Sr. Marriott loved his time at the resort so much that The Marriotts made The Camelback Inn their rst resort, in 1967. J.W. Marriott Jr. continued his fa- ther’s love and interest in the proper- ty, expanding and improving various aspects. In 1989 the Camelback Inn added a luxurious and expansive spa, which in 2000 was named one of the top 100 spas in the world. The Camelback Golf Club features 36-holes, stunning views and a challenging, Championship course. On its 70th birthday the property began $45 million in renovations, marking decades of dedication and passion by the Marriott family. Maine Chance In the early 1950s a beautiful and ambi- tious businesswoman by the name of Flor- ence Nightingale Graham purchased 110 acres on the southeastern slopes of Camel- rical yo c b s u y olated - e es’ us or- b Megargee just wanted a p o - r- ep nal has A reporter from Fargo, North Dakota was the impetus b resorts for visitors from the snowy climes of the east coa per night, with a “Deluxe” upgrade available at $18 to $2 were cooked on outdoor grills. The construction of the Inn utilized the popular method Part of this process included laying the bricks out in the s underway, a massive storm rolled through the area and d scheme of it all, but enough to aggravate the crew for su ears has k s a

back Mountain for her beauty resort, Maine Chance. Although her name was ofcially Florence, the world had come to know her as Elizabeth Arden and for the next three de- cades Maine Chance would remain the most famous beauty resort in the world. Florence Nightingale Graham was born in Woodbridge, Canada in 1891. She would eventually begin a nursing career, but soon discovered her heart was more in health maintenance than health care. She went on to work with her brother at a British cosmetics rm in New York before starting her own massage and beauty treatments company, in a two-room suite on Fifth Avenue. She was now known as “Elizabeth Arden.” Cleansing creams and cosmetics were the next step in Elizabeth Arden’s business. Eventually she would go on to own numerous beauty sa- lons called “Arden Repair Shops.” After opening a suc- cessful horse ranch in Maine, where she took a chance on horses and even turned one into a Kentucky Derby winner, Arden moved her op- erations to Kentucky. Soon, the horse ranch became a beauty ranch, where she helped women with health and beauty. The health and beauty resort was so successful Arden decided to expand and took her growing busi- ness to Phoenix. The Maine Chance was a luxurious resort that pampered its guests. Guests included Marilyn Monroe, Mamie Eisenhower, and a number of other high society women reported- ly looking to be “dried out” and “reconstruct- ed.” Weight loss was also a main aspect of the resort. Prices reportedly ranged from $2,650 - $3,200 per week. Maine Chance was sold to The Phoenician in the 1990s and was torn down, eventually to become a lavish golf course. in Wo She w B Y m co Fi as C ehind what would become one of the area’s premier st. The initial rates of the resort ranged from $10 to $16 5 per night. Both rates included meals, many of which of its time: adobe bricks fashioned out of mud and straw. un to cure. After crafting 15,000 bricks to get the project ecimated the supply. It was a minor setback in the grand re. s born w n ts on wn etics step den’s tually to In order to build a haven for the rich and famous you need to make them feel at home, which means sparing no expense in the décor. Only then can you charge them the reported $2600-$3200 per week, which would be high even at today’s standard rates. Paradise Valley Tennis Club now Sanctuary, Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa The Paradise Valley Tennis Club, owned by John Ireland and Joanne Dru and Sydney Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s son), opened its doors in 1956. It included ve tennis courts, a clubhouse and a casita, where John Ireland would live. His private casita would become a secret hideaway for many famous stars of the 1950s, such as Dean Martin, Ester Wil- liams and Charlie McCarthy. In the 1960s however, after numerous nancial problems, a group that included Vik Jackson and John Gardiner purchased the club. Jackson and Gardiner had owned a tennis ranch in California for over ten years and were anxious to create an Arizona tennis resort. The John Gardiner Tennis Club opened in 1970. The property now had the addition The north side of Camelback Mountain has been frequented by Hollywood celebrities and political powerhouses since the days of the Paradise Valley Tennis Ranch. At 53 acres, the current occupant, Sanctuary Resort & Spa, has one of the largest properties on the north side of the mountain. of four new courts and 41 casitas. The ranch quickly attracted celebrities, includ- ing Katherine Hepburn and Elton John. In 1994, however, Gardiner sold his in- terest and in 1999 Jackson followed suit. The hotels new owner, Robert Castellini, of Castellini Company, was a long-time casa and casita owner at the club. Westroc Hospitality was hired to take over hotel operations in 1999 and closed the property for construction in 2000. In 2001 the stunning Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa entered the Phoenix landscape. Many of the original tennis courts had been replaced with a pool, spa and a variety of leisure activi- ties. Five championship tennis courts still grace the grounds of this remarkable resort. For more historic photos visit arcadiadaily.com