Built in 1961 and an excellent example of the area’s mid-century modern aesthetic, Sunnyslope’s Hansen Mortuary is seeking historic designation through the city’s zoning overlay process (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
What is lost when historic buildings are torn down? What does “historic” even mean? One definition, courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: “Historic” means “old and worth the trouble.”
The City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department has spent a lot of time in recent years focusing on “Who we are, What we want, and How do we get there” – from their Transit Oriented Communities plans to the General Plan 2025. But who we were and how we got here informs the present and the future, and that is where the Historic Preservation (HP) Office comes in.
There is a movement underway in Sunnyslope, led by Julia Taggart at the Sunnyslope Historical Society and the area’s property owners, to preserve the buildings and spaces that have driven the history of the area. Historic preservation can be an uphill battle at times, especially in a city that – fair or not – has the reputation as a “teardown town.”
“But we have to keep trying and we have to keep preserving what we can,” Taggart said. “We are going to lose some, but we’re also going to win and we have to celebrate those wins.”
One recent win is the Thompson Rock Garden, which was approved for “historic” designation at the Dec. 4, 2024, council meeting. By gaining HP zoning overlay status, the property is not only recognized as worthy of preservation, but protected from demolition and other adverse alterations.
To qualify, parcels must show significance in local, regional, state or national history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture, and criteria include being at least 50 years old or having achieved significance within the past 50 years.
But not every proposed overlay zoning is approved. Al Beadle’s White Gates home is a prime example. The zoning was not initiated at a Dec. 16 HP Commission hearing because the owner gave them a choice – they would salvage aspects of the building if overlay was not initiated, otherwise, they would proceed with demolition. Some commissioners felt that the Phoenix City Council would not support their decision, so they voted the initiation down.
After the meeting, Taggart lamented, “I think we’re losing so much of our history right now. And it matters. You have to know your past. By looking at these buildings you get to reconnect with these histories. It’s part of our history and our culture…to be able to learn from our past and to preserve that and share it with the younger generations – you know, where we came from and where we’re going.”
Chester and Janice Hansen arrived in Phoenix in 1949 and settled in Sunnyslope for Janice’s health. Chester began his funeral practice in a two-story wooden building on the corner of Central and Dunlap avenues. They raised their family, attended Sunnyslope Presbyterian, supported the Desert Mission and volunteered at John C. Lincoln. In 1961, Hansen built a modern, state-of-the-art funeral home at 8314 N. 7th St., and although the company has since expanded, the family still owns and operates the location.
The interior of the Hansen Mortuary chapel features a peaked ceiling and diamond shaped windows that create an airy space with a distinctive Scandinavian feel, and a gorgeous wall that is adorned with Arizona-sourced rose quartz (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
In December, the Hansen’s youngest child, Trish Hansen Kerr, talked about her father’s vision and the family’s lasting legacy in the area as we toured the funeral home. She pointed to the peaked roof and diamond shaped windows that create an airy chapel space with a distinctive Scandinavian feel. And the chapel wall that is adorned with a gorgeous rose quartz wall – something that feels uniquely Arizona (“Dad thought that was extremely special and beautiful.”) – and the mid-century modern aesthetic that has been preserved over the decades.
Kerr, who now owns and operates the company, wanted nothing to do with it growing up, “I wanted a normal job where I didn’t have to work all the time,” she recalled. “In this business, you work a lot, you give a lot, then you work a lot, and then you give some more and you serve.” But the family grew up with the ethic of service to the community, and now, 42 years on, she says, “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
And she can’t imagine growing up anywhere else. Sunnyslope has been home to the family and the business for more than 70 years and they take pride in that.
“When people ask where I grew up, I don’t say Phoenix. I say Sunnyslope,” Kerr said. And the building, “It’s history, it’s legacy, it’s family – it’s important.”
“I think our culture is getting away from history when we should be embracing history,” she added. “It teaches us a little bit of who we are and where we came from, so we can continue to move forward.”
The HP Commission voted to initiate the re-zoning process on the Hansen Mortuary building in October 2024. A round of public hearings will likely commence in February – beginning with a commission meeting, then to the North Mountain Village Planning Committee (VPC), the Phoenix Planning Commission and then to Phoenix City Council for final approval.
The Sunnyslope Presbyterian Church was rebuilt in 1949 and now serves the community as Franklin Phonetic School (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
Just a couple of miles northwest, at 9317 N. 2nd St., is the Sunnyslope Presbyterian Church, which was built as part of the Desert Mission. The original chapel was destroyed by fire in 1942 and a new church and school buildings were completed in 1949. The church witnessed hundreds of services, communions, weddings, funerals and community celebrations; it even served as a kindergarten for area children. One of those children is Tom Franklin, who grew up blocks away and attended school there in the 50s. After the church closed its doors, Tom, along with his wife Cindy, in 2014 opened Franklin Phonetic School out of the venerable building.
As the couple walks through the grounds, they point out the original kitchen, bath, doors and windows; the spot where there was a wading pool; a fire door can be found in one of the classrooms; the original tower is still there. The chapel, lined with dozens of pews holds memories of services and ceremonies past; a paneled room at the back is where brides would make their last adjustments before the march down the aisle – the memories seem to echo through the space. More than 70 years later, the building still serves the community, but now the echo of children learning fill its corridors.
Originally Pedro’s restaurant and located at 524 W. Hatcher Road, the “Eye Opener” building will move through the historic overlay zoning process in coming months (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the HP Commission voted to initiate the historic overlay zoning process for Franklin Phonetic School. Another building approved for initiation that day is the Eye Opener (originally Pedro’s restaurant), located at 524 W. Hatcher Road. Both of these properties will follow the same public hearing process, and residents are encouraged to get involved.
“We need more people to step up,” Taggart said. It’s not just liking or sharing a social media post. It’s going to a meeting. It’s making a public comment. It’s asking historical societies or preservation organizations how you can help. If we don’t have more people caring, we’re not going to have any history left.”
In the meantime, residents who would like to learn more about the school are invited to a First Friday event Feb. 7, when the youth artists will showcase their work from 3 to 7 p.m. Visit www.franklinphoneticschool.com.
Buildings carry the remnant joys and sorrows, aspirations and inspirations of those who came before us. They spark memories in those who remain, and perhaps curiosity in those who arrived on the scene when the buildings are just a shell of their former glory or exist in a whole different context. They create a sense of place, history and continuity within communities. And there is a case to be made for not only preserving the buildings, but for telling the stories of those who built them and whose memories remain within their walls.
Learn more about historic preservation at www.phoenix.gov/pdd/historic-preservation. Find meeting agendas and information at www.phoenix.gov/cityclerk/publicmeetings/notices.
