McFarland State Historic Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids McFarland State Historic Park
First Pinal County Courthouse
McFarland State Historic Park Location in Arizona
Location	Pinal, Arizona, United States
Established	1974
Named for	Ernest McFarland
Visitors	7,735 (in 2022)
Governing body	Arizona State Parks

McFarland State Historic Park is a special place in downtown Florence, Arizona. It's like a time capsule, showing what life was like long ago. The park protects an old courthouse and other buildings from the time when Arizona was still a territory, not yet a state.

The very first building here was put up in 1878. A jail was added in 1882, and the main courthouse building followed in 1891. This historic courthouse is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as a significant part of American history.

The park is named after Ernest McFarland, a very important person in Arizona's past. He was born in 1894 and lived until 1984. McFarland served as a US Senator, a Governor of Arizona, and even the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. He bought the old courthouse in 1974, gave it to the state, and paid for its restoration. The park officially opened on October 10, 1979.

After some repairs and updates, the park reopened in February 2011. It had been closed for a while due to budget cuts for Arizona State Parks. Now, it's open for everyone to explore and learn about history!

Discovering McFarland State Historic Park

McFarland State Historic Park offers a unique look into Arizona's past. It's a great place to learn about how people lived and how laws were made over a hundred years ago. The park helps us remember important events and people from the Arizona Territory era.

Who Was Ernest McFarland?

Ernest McFarland was a true leader for Arizona. He held many important jobs throughout his life. As a US Senator, he represented Arizona in the national government in Washington, D.C. Later, he became the Governor of Arizona, leading the entire state. Finally, he served as the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state. McFarland's dedication helped preserve this historic site for future generations.

The Historic Pinal County Courthouse

The main attraction at McFarland State Historic Park is the old Pinal County Courthouse. This building saw many important events unfold. It was where legal decisions were made and justice was served for the people of Pinal County. Imagine what it was like to work or visit this building when it was brand new!

What Can You See Inside?

When you visit the courthouse, you can explore different rooms. You might see a restored courtroom, which looks just like it did when judges and lawyers worked there. There's also a fireplace, showing how people kept warm in the old days. You can also see the County Recorder’s Office from 1878. This office kept important records for the county. Sometimes, there are even displays of interesting artifacts, like items from a German Prisoner of War (POW) camp that was once in Florence.

A Park Reopens

It's great news that McFarland State Historic Park is open again! After a temporary closure, the park received necessary repairs and renovations. This means the historic buildings are well-maintained and ready for visitors. It's important to keep these special places open so everyone can learn about our past.