Two Arizona landmarks are now on a national list of endangered historic places. Their recognition highlights both the challenges and potential for preserving these unique structures.
The May Hicks Curtis House in Flagstaff and the Mystery Castle in Phoenix have been named among America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
May Hicks Curtis is credited with sewing the first Arizona state flag, earning her the title of the "Betsy Ross of Arizona."
State Historic Preservation Officer Kathryn Leonard said the house was at risk of demolition due to flooding concerns and redevelopment plans from the property owner.
“I can tell you that area of town has some real challenges in terms of drainage, and certainly flooding is a concern for all of the properties in that area," she said.
The house was recently moved to a different location due to its deterioration, and it's still seeking a permanent home.
Regardless of its current state, Leonard said the designations are less about failure, and more about opportunity.
“It sounds in many respects, like a failure, but it is not," she said. "It’s a testament to the state of Arizona and our ability to really come up with creative solutions for threatened and endangered properties.”
At the Mystery Castle, Leonard said it suffers from frequent vandalism. She said fencing and 24-hour surveillance could help prevent people from taking pieces of art from the site.
The castle was vandalized in March 2022, and the damage was estimated at more than $100,000.
Camp Naco and the Osterman Gas Station, both Arizona historical landmarks, have appeared on the "11 Most Endangered" list before. In the case of Camp Naco, Leonard said it received millions of dollars in grants to support its preservation as a result of being listed.
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In a weeklong series, KJZZ looks at Arizona’s connection to the Japanese internment policies that were instituted following Pearl Harbor, and how it ties into the broader story of racialized public policy. Gabriel Pietrorazio joined The Show for a closer look at the series. -
The mass internment of Japanese Americans amid World War II is among the dark chapters of U.S. history that the Trump administration is actively working to erase — being swept up in a campaign to remove so-called “disparaging” signs and markers about the country’s past, while focusing only on “American greatness.” -
Attend a KJZZ panel discussion about the history of Japanese American internment camps located on tribal lands in Arizona on Jan. 14, 2026, at Chandler Museum. -
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