Go inside some of the most historic homes in Phoenix at this tour and street fair

Reporting by Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic

Phoenix’s first officially designated historic neighborhood, Roosevelt, is bringing back its home tour this year.

Not only is the Roosevelt Historic Home Tour making a comeback but it’s doing so for the tour’s 40th anniversary making it a little extra special. On Saturday, Nov. 14, the community is invited to come out and tour some of the most interesting historic homes in Phoenix while taking part in a free street fair where there will be vendors set up selling their wares.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Roosevelt Historic Home Tour.

A brief history of Roosevelt’s historic neighborhood

The story of Roosevelt begins in 1867 when John William Swilling along with a group of settlers from Wickenburg settled along the lower Salt River. Swilling’s creation of the Swilling Irrigating Canal Company re-excavated ancient Hohokam canals that created a new irrigation system that would support farming in the Valley.

By the early 20th century, the Roosevelt Historic District had become a reflection of the development patterns that have shaped Phoenix. The neighborhood helped establish a growth trend that still continues to this day.

Between 1925 and 1960, the Roosevelt Historic District architecturally saw early 20th-century residential homes built, featuring styles like California bungalows, detailed Craftsman homes. There were also a wide range of Period Revival styles like Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Italian Villa Revival, French Provincial Revival and English Cottage Revival.

But that’s not all, Roosevelt is also home to Neoclassical Revival cottages along with Prairie School buildings, landmark civic structures like the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Kenilworth School and the iconic Hotel Westward Ho.

In November 1983, Roosevelt’s historic significance was formally recognized when it was included on the National Register of Historic Places. Then in 1986, Arizona further strengthened the preservation efforts with the establishment of the Historic Preservation Overly Zoning protections for the neighborhood.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, artists began transforming vacant buildings, creating what is today known at Roosevelt Row.

A look at some of the historic homes in Phoenix

The Roosevelt Historic Neighborhood Home Tour will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Here’s a look at the homes and businesses that will be on this years’ tour:

Great Arizona Puppet Theater: 302 W. Latham St.
- Built in 1929, this building was formerly the Phoenix Second Ward Chapel and is Phoenix’s oldest surviving LDS chapel. It features Spanish-influenced architecture, seating for 400 and even a pipe organ. Since 1966, it’s housed the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, which restored the historic interior.
The Teapot: 818 N. Fifth Ave.
- Built in 1906, this charming Craftsman bungalow retains a lot of its original character including the wood floors, wavy-glass windows, brass hardware and shaded porches. This 1,110-square-foot home was restored in 2012 where it became a family-friendly cafe called The Teapot, which is now a popular events venue.
Fifth Avenue Foundry: 821 N. Fifth Ave.
- Built in 1911, this classic bungalow has found new life as Fifth Avenue Foundry, which is a creative hub that brings together local businesses, makers and entrepreneurs. Today, this business celebrates the neighborhood’s unique mix of history, art and entrepreneurship.
The Pring Residence: 837 N. Fifth Ave.
- Built in 2024, the Pring Residence is a contemporary addition to the historic Roosevelt neighborhood. This home blends Southwestern and Spanish architectural influences with modern desert living with its white stucco, deep arches, shaded terraces and light-filled interiors.
The Frenchy House: 508 W. Portland St.
- Built in 1913, this charming Phoenix bungalow as a distinctly French flare, bringing romance, character and European-inspired style to the Roosevelt neighborhood. This home was thoughtfully reimagined to blend the relaxed spirit of a traditional bungalow with warm textures, layered finishes and an appreciation for craftsmanship.
The John A. Moore House: 524 W. Portland St.
- Built in 1911, this is a beautifully preserved Craftsman bungalow that features a sweeping roof-line, a deep porch and a distinctive porte-cochère. Over the years, the John A. Moore house served as a rooming house and a group home before a devastating fire in 1980 left it abandoned. In 1994, Phoenix police officer Eric Johnson began an ambitious restoration that was completed by subsequent owners.
Hugh Residence: 545 W. Portland St.
- Built in 1914, this beautifully preserved Craftsman bungalow showcases the craftsmanship of early Phoenix architecture. Some of its original features include decorative porch columns, a stone fireplace, built-in bookcases, elegant coved ceilings and a detailed dining room hutch.
The L.L. Steward House: 522 W. Roosevelt St.
- Built in 1914, the L.L. Steward House was originally home to Louis Lee Steward, a prominent Arizona businessman, civic leader and political figure. It was later converted into a rooming house and offices, but the home underwent restoration in 1996. Today, the home has restored woodwork, period furnishings and an extraordinary collection of historic musical instruments.
The Ellis-Shackelford House: 1242 N. Central Ave.
- Built in 1917 for prominent physician Dr. William C. Ellis, this house stands along what was once Phoenix’s prestigious “Millionaires’ Row.” The grand three-story residence blends Prairie and Craftsman styles featuring hardwood floors, mahogany detailing, hand-painted chandeliers and exquisite woodwork.
The DeMund: 649 N. Second Ave.
- Built in 1907 by Phoenix businessman H.P. DeMund, this eclectic Victorian mansion blends Mission, Tudor and Queen Anne influences and is crowned by a distinctive Asian-inspired rooftop pagoda. This home features original woodwork and flooring that complement the modern additions like the basement theater, wine cellar and swimming pool.
Eco Phoenix: 301 W. Roosevelt St.
- Built in 2024, the Eco Phoenix is another modern addition to the Roosevelt Historic neighborhood and it brings sustainable, urban living to the corner of Roosevelt Street and Third Avenue. This five-story, 70-unit residential community incorporates solar energy, greywater recycling, energy-efficient systems and sustainable landscaping.
Flaaten Residence: 842 N. Second Ave.
- Built around 1895, this rare brick Neoclassical cottage is among Roosevelt’s oldest surviving homes, dating all the way back to Phoenix’s territorial era. It features bell-cast eaves, hipped dormers and original architectural details. It has also recently been restored and now combines historic charm with contemporary living with its 10-foot ceilings, traditional fireplace and an impressive art collection.
The Giacomini House: 46 W. Culver St.
- Built in 1926, the Karl J. & Anna M. Giacomini House is an example of Phoenix’s early residential architecture, blending English Cottage Revival style with Spanish-inspired details. The stuccoed brick home features a steeply pitched gabled roof, a central porch with three arched entrances and decorative scalloped detailing, plus patterned windowpanes, exposed roof eaves and corner buttresses.

How to attend the Roosevelt Historic Home Tour 2026

When: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

Where: Various locations between North 7th Avenue and North Central Avenue.

Admission: Tickets are $20 per person; the street fair is free.

Details: rooseveltneighborhood.org.

Meredith G. White covers entertainment, art and culture for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She writes the latest news about video games, television and best things to do in metro Phoenix.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic.