ARIZONA, USA — Millions of people visit Arizona every year, with more than 100 people choosing to call Maricopa County their new home each day.
There are tons of sightseeing opportunities for new visitors and residents alike. The Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park and the Heard Museum are just a few on the long list of well-known Arizona destinations.
However, there are some sightseeing spots that even long-time residents don't know about.
Join Today in AZ as we take you to some of the lesser-known, must-see spots across the state on our Rediscover Arizona series.
The meaning behind Hunt's Tomb, the pyramid in Phoenix
It’s hard to miss the 20-foot-tall white pyramid which sits on the top of a hill inside Phoenix’s Papago Park. The mausoleum made of concrete and white ceramic tiles dates back to Arizona’s first governor, George W. P. Hunt.
Gov. Hunt, his wife and five other family members are entombed inside.
Hunt’s wife, Helen, died in 1931. Phoenix’s Mayor’s Office official historian Steve Schumacher said there are likely three reasons which drove Hunt to have the pyramid built.
Schumacher said Hunt asked local builder, Del Webb, who was known for his development of the Sun City retirement community and co-owning the New York Yankees, to create the tomb.
Schumacher said the admiration for his wife is one reason it was built, but Hunt also had some connections to Egypt.
Hunt served as Minister to Siam (Ambassador to Thailand) and Schumacher said Hunt visited Egypt during that time, which likely had an influence on him. This point in history is also when the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb was made in 1922. Schumacher said this created ‘pyramid mania’, and many pyramid structures were built in the years to follow.
Hunt became governor in 1912 and severed a record seven terms.
His wife was the first to be entombed after her death which happened in 1931. The tomb was constructed in 1932 according to the National Register of Historic Places paperwork. Schumacher said it’s still a mystery as to where Mrs. Hunt’s remains were until the construction of the tomb was complete. Governor Hunt died in 1934 and was then interred alongside his wife.
Seven people are laid to rest inside the tomb: Helen Hunt’s parents, Jesse and Susan Ellison, Mrs. Hunt’s sister, Lena, the Governor’s only daughter, Virginia and her husband, William Frund.
Hunt’s Tomb was restored in 2008 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
To visit Hunt’s Tomb – 12News had the best luck getting to it by searching for it through Google maps. You will enter Papago Park and head towards Hole in the Rock, where you will turn right up the hill. Once at the top you’ll find a small parking lot. After a short walk up a handful of steps you will see Hunt’s Tomb and a panoramic view of the Valley of the Sun.
Preserving the legacy of the Hayden Flour Mill, a Tempe icon
You know the historic Hayden Flour Mill in downtown Tempe but did you know, there are two? While the original one stopped milling flour in 1998, the other location is milling flour right now, just 30 miles down the road in Queen Creek!
Emma Zimmerman, co-owner of Hayden Flour Mills, grew up in Tempe where the original mill existed since 1874. She teamed up with her dad, Jeff Zimmerman, to not only revive the name, rose logo and stone-milling process but to also revive the forgotten native grains of Arizona.
The Zimmerman's have re-imagined the mill by growing the flavorful and nutrient-rich heritage and ancient grains and turning them into many more products including a variety of crackers, pasta, cornbread mix, pancake mix and their latest addition – rolled oats. Emma even created a cookbook with recipes for all of their products!
Hayden Flour Mills ships its products all across Arizona and the country. Some local restaurants, such as Pizzeria Bianco, also use Hayden Flour Mills products and you can find some items in stores such as Whole Foods.
Visiting the Superstition Mountain Museum and the Elvis Chapel
The first stop on our Rediscover Arizona tour was the Superstition Mountain Museum and Elvis Chapel for a unique look at Valley movie history. See the mystery, magnetism and magic in our stop in the video above
Be sure to check back later this week to see what other amazing locations we visit!
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