The Phoenix Points of Pride are 31 landmarks and attractions in Phoenix, Arizona, selected by voters since 1992 to represent the city's best features for residents and visitors. They include structures, such as St. Mary's Basilica, the Phoenix Zoo and Footprint Center; and natural formations such as Camelback Mountain and Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park.
The first 25 Points of Pride were selected in 1992. The program was seen as a way to boost civic morale in the wake of negative national publicity for Phoenix in the wake of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday controversy. Cricket Wireless Pavilion and the Deer Valley Rock Art Center were added in 1996 and 2000 respectively, and the Japanese Friendship Garden, Ben Avery Shooting Facility and the Thomas J. Pappas School were selected in 2004. Arizona State University at the West Campus, Burton Barr Central Library and Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center (the area's first Jewish synagogue) are the most recent Points of Pride, selected in 2008.[1]
The Phoenix Pride Commission maintains the list of Phoenix Points of Pride and promoting these unique metropolitan area resources. In the past, the commission accepted nominations from the residents and selected locations for the Points of Pride ballot. The residents voted for these locations and the commission determined how many of the locations receiving the greatest number of votes were designated as a Point of Pride.
In July 2008, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon changed the Phoenix Pride Commission to an ad hoc commission, meaning that it will meet more infrequently to save money; this could mean the effective end of the Points of Pride program.[2]
This list shows information about each of the Phoenix Points of Pride.
| Name | Location | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ak-Chin Pavilion | 2121 North 83rd Avenue 33°28′17″N 112°13′58″W / 33.4715°N 112.232875°W |
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A 20,000-seat open-air amphitheater |
| Arizona Biltmore Hotel | 2400 East Missouri Avenue 33°31′24″N 112°01′24″W / 33.523446°N 112.023404°W |
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A destination resort built in 1929 and featuring 39 acres of gardens and architecture influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Arizona Center | 400 East Van Buren Street 33°27′08″N 112°04′07″W / 33.45231°N 112.068745°W |
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A shopping, dining, and entertainment destination |
| ASU West campus | 4701 West Thunderbird Road 33°36′29″N 112°09′35″W / 33.608052°N 112.159855°W |
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A liberal arts campus of Arizona State University |
| Ben Avery Shooting Facility | 4044 West Black Canyon Boulevard 33°48′15″N 112°08′46″W / 33.804078°N 112.145995°W |
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A 1650-acre outdoor shooting range open to the public |
| Burton Barr Central Library | 1221 North Central Avenue 33°27′45″N 112°04′24″W / 33.46246°N 112.073224°W |
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A Public library of over 700,000 items, including rare books and unique collections |
| Camelback Mountain | East McDonald Drive at Tatum Boulevard 33°30′52″N 111°57′52″W / 33.514528°N 111.964466°W |
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A prominent feature of the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area, a 75-acre park |
| Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center | 122 East Culver Street 33°27′46″N 112°04′21″W / 33.462738°N 112.072534°W |
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A museum and cultural center operated by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society |
| Deer Valley Rock Art Center | 3711 West Deer Valley Road 33°41′02″N 112°08′23″W / 33.683809°N 112.139839°W |
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A site of over 1500 Native-American petroglyphs ranging in age between 800 and 1500 years |
| Desert Botanical Garden | 1201 N. Galvin Parkway 33°27′45″N 111°56′41″W / 33.462456°N 111.944639°W |
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A 140-acre desert garden featuring over 21,000 plants including 139 rare, threatened, or endangered species |
| Encanto Park | 2745 North 15th Avenue 33°28′31″N 112°05′25″W / 33.47525°N 112.09016°W |
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A 222-acre park featuring a variety of leisure activities |
| Footprint Center | 201 East Jefferson Street 33°26′45″N 112°04′16″W / 33.445909°N 112.071213°W |
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A sports and entertainment arena and home to the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury professional basketball teams |
| Heard Museum | 2301 North Central Avenue 33°28′21″N 112°04′21″W / 33.472377°N 112.072393°W |
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A museum devoted to culture and history of Native peoples, including a collection of over 40,000 items |
| Herberger Theater Center | 222 East Monroe Street 33°27′04″N 112°04′15″W / 33.45103°N 112.070772°W |
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A three-stage performing arts center |
| Heritage Square | 115 North Sixth Street 33°27′00″N 112°03′57″W / 33.449902°N 112.065709°W |
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A late-1800s residential area now supporting museums, restaurants and gift shops Rosson House NRHP Reference: 71000112 Baird Machine Shop NRHP Reference: 85002047 |
| Japanese Friendship Garden | 1125 North Third Avenue 33°27′39″N 112°04′39″W / 33.460887°N 112.077418°W |
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A joint project between Phoenix and its sister city of Himeji, Japan, the 3-1/2 acre garden and tea house include over 50 varieties of plants |
| Mystery Castle | 800 East Mineral Road 33°21′23″N 112°03′44″W / 33.35644°N 112.062141°W |
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An 18-room castle museum built in the 1930s from salvaged items |
| Orpheum Theater | 203 West Adams Street 33°26′57″N 112°04′36″W / 33.449132°N 112.076706°W |
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A 1929 Orpheum theater built in the Spanish Baroque style and currently home to the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera NRHP Reference: 85002067 |
| Papago Park | Galvin Parkway and Van Buren Street 33°27′18″N 111°56′54″W / 33.454879°N 111.948348°W |
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A 1200-acre park featuring the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, Governor Hunt's Tomb, baseball and softball fields, picnic areas, and hiking trails Hunt's Tomb NRHP Reference: 08000526 |
| Phoenix Art Museum | 1625 North Central Avenue 33°27′58″N 112°04′24″W / 33.466181°N 112.073366°W |
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A collection of more than 18,000 works, independent film screenings, live performances, dining and shopping |
| Phoenix Mountains Park | 2701 East Squaw Peak Lane 33°32′48″N 112°01′17″W / 33.546724°N 112.021286°W |
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A park surrounding Piestewa Peak, the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, and within the area of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve |
| Phoenix Zoo | 455 North Galvin Parkway 33°27′05″N 111°56′53″W / 33.451307°N 111.947982°W |
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A 125-acre zoo containing over 2.5 miles of walking trail and over 1300 animals in the area of Papago Park |
| Pueblo Grande Museum | 4619 East Washington Street 33°26′46″N 111°59′04″W / 33.446232°N 111.984438°W |
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A pre-Columbian archaeological site and National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving ruins left by the Hohokam culture Ruin NRHP Reference: 66000185 Irrigation Site NRHP Reference: 66000184 |
| Shemer Art Center and Museum | 5005 East Camelback Road 33°30′18″N 111°58′20″W / 33.504902°N 111.972164°W |
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An arts education facility and community center featuring temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection |
| South Mountain Park | 10919 South Central Avenue 33°20′49″N 112°05′04″W / 33.347056°N 112.084518°W |
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An urban park over 16,000-acres containing many species of desert plant and animal life |
| St. Mary's Basilica | 231 North Third Street 33°27′02″N 112°04′11″W / 33.45069°N 112.069732°W |
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A minor basilica in the Catholic Church and home to Arizona's largest collection of stained glass NRHP Reference: 78000551 |
| Symphony Hall | 225 East Adams Street 33°26′56″N 112°04′14″W / 33.448841°N 112.070563°W |
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A multi-purpose performing arts venue and home to the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona |
| Telephone Pioneers of America Park | 1946 West Morningside Drive 33°38′57″N 112°06′06″W / 33.649261°N 112.101758°W |
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A barrier-free park designed to meet the needs of the physically challenged |
| Tovrea Castle | 5041 East Van Buren Street 33°26′55″N 111°58′20″W / 33.448738°N 111.972252°W |
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A three-tier, wedding cake style structure built in 1931 of wood and stucco NRHP Reference: 96000309 |
| Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza | 1700 West Washington Street 33°26′53″N 112°05′39″W / 33.44812°N 112.094291°W |
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A two-block plaza on the grounds of the Arizona State Capitol featuring 29 memorials |
| Wrigley Mansion | 2501 East Telawa Trail 33°31′23″N 112°01′36″W / 33.523052°N 112.026635°W |
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A 1931 mansion currently offering a restaurant and meeting space in a private club setting NRHP Reference: 89001045 |
