Two historic properties in the Southwest Valley, Rancho La Loma Homestead and Tal-Wi’Wi’ Ranch, are on track to receive national recognition for their cultural and historical significance.
The Arizona Historic Sites Review Committee voted unanimously to recommend Rancho La Loma for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Tal-Wi’Wi’ Ranch has also been recommended by the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office and is now under review by the National Park Service, pending final approval.
If listed, these properties would become the first in the Southwest Valley to earn such a designation, elevating them alongside Monument Hill, in Avondale, as the only other recognized marker in the region.
“This milestone not only honors the legacy of these properties but helps preserve the unique identity of our community,” said Lisa Hegarty, executive director of the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center.
The homestead nomination is the result of a years-long effort by the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center and its Historic Preservation Committee, with support from the city of Litchfield Park. The committee was originally formed in response to grassroots interest in preserving Tal-Wi’Wi’ Ranch.
According to Hegarty, the success of that initiative sparked broader momentum to pursue a National Register designation for Rancho La Loma as well.
Both properties are closely tied Litchfield Park's development and cultural background:
Tal‑Wi‑Wi Ranch in Litchfield Park is a historically significant site that pioneered scientific desert farming in the 1920s and remained an agricultural landmark for nearly a century.
Rancho La Loma served as Paul Litchfield's winter home and hosted gatherings that united community members and spiritual leaders in the mid-1900s. Litchfield was the former president and CEO of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and a key figure in the region’s 20th-century development.
“Paul Litchfield didn’t just shape the business and agricultural landscape here, he shaped the community,” Hegarty said. “That hilltop has long been a landmark, a place that brought people together.”
Inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places offers more than symbolic value. Designation can open the door to federal preservation grants, tax credits, and increased tourism to the Southwest Valley, which lacks other nationally recognized historic sites.
“It will absolutely raise the profile of our local history and strengthen community pride,” Hegarty said. “People often don’t realize the depth of what’s been here unless there’s something physical to connect them to it.”
The recommendation comes as the area surrounding Rancho La Loma undergoes significant transformation. A new library and school are being built nearby, and the Litchfield Heritage Center is preparing to relocate to a restored historic building on the same hilltop. The city has also approved preliminary plans for a landscaped public garden in the area.
Despite the development, preservation leaders say the National Register application remains viable. The proposed historic district includes multiple original structures, such as cottages, a water tank, and a pumphouse, that are expected to be retained and incorporated into the new landscape.
“We’ve worked closely with the city and the state to ensure these elements are protected,” Hegarty said. “There’s a shared respect for preserving what matters.”
The P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center, which sits on the outskirts of the Rancho La Loma Homestead has grown into a hub for local history and public engagement. With a permanent collection, rotating exhibits, walking tours, lectures and children’s programs, the center strives to connect residents and visitors with the region’s past.
Currently housed in its temporary location, the center is fundraising for a $3.5 million move into the historic Litchfield-Denny house atop Litchfield Hill. The new space will include a museum, archive, research library, gift shop, and public programming areas. The capital campaign is nearing 80% of its goal.
“Our vision is to be the cultural and historical heart of the Southwest Valley,” Hegarty said. “And having these properties recognized at the national level is a powerful step toward that.”
The National Park Service is expected to make a final determination on the nominations within 45 days of submission, this process may be delayed by the ongoing government shutdown.
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here