Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-09
RESTORING OLD CITY
Monument of Southwest Is Now
in Hands of Government.
Casa Grande, Near Florence, ArIz.
Repaired as Far as Possible
Built Like Present Day
Cement House.

Denver, Coic.--One OF the most re-
markable of the monuments under
control Of the national government,
the Casa Grande, near Florence, Ariz.,
has been restored and repaired as far
as possible and an effort will be made
next year to provide better facilities
for persons wishing TO visit it.
Discovered IN 1884 by Padre kino,
one OF the missionaries sent to the
new world by Spain, the Casa Grande
is considered typical structure OF the
aboriginal natives OF the southwest.
and it is the only structure mentioned
By the early Spanish explorers that
can Ee checked and interpreted down
to the present day.
It was originally an extensive group
CT buildings and no doubt served a
considerable community as place or
defense against the wandering tribes
CT the Gesert-ancestors Of the war
like Navajo3 and Ap2ches. The name
Casa CranGe, in Spanish meaning
great house" was applied originally
to the large single structure standing
in the southwest corner OF the area
covered by the entire collection OF
buildings The total area at one time
covered with buildings is about sixty
five acres. Mounds and scattered de-
br:s show where the buildings stood.
The building known as Casa Grande
was one CT the smallest of the struc-
lures, but for some reason its walls
remained in much better state OF
preservation than the walls OF the
larger buildings. The walls rise 10 a
height OF % feet. The area covered
and inclosed by the standing walls is
rs feet by 90 feet. Evidently the build
ing was three stories in height. The
main building rose 70 Two stories, but
4 central tier rose another story.
The construction of this house is
unique. Il is not OF adobe, but is what
is known as ''cajon." or puddled clay
malted into walls. The caion, in huge
blocks ircm three to five feet long,
two feet high. and from three to four
feet thick, WIS manufactured on the
sEot, much as cement makers manu-
factuTe the material for modern &C.
ment houses. Walls made CT cajon are
even harder than adobe, and, as long
as there is Roof on tie structure
made &C such material the wind and
rain have little effect. Without pro-
tectins rcci the cajcn will wear down
gradually. II is by this process that
nest of the buildings near the Casa
Grardo nave been worn down.
After an extended investigation and
rcport BY scientists in the employ OF
the government. it was decided to
brace Up the tottering walls with
brick. Most CT the bad effects OF ero-
sion were visible at the base OF the
walls. the falling water from heavy
raimstorms having eaten great hoies
close 20 the ground. The northeast
and southeast corners had fallen, and
large blocks Of cajnn were streWn
about tie ground. Other walls were
tottering, and it was unsafe to come
near the structure.
Masors were set ct work and braced
I'D the walls with Griol:s, detracting
somewhat from the appearance OF the
building, but preserving tic remains
fer future generations. 4 corrugated
iron roof was put over the entire
structure as last resort. This de-
stroys The picturesque effect OF the
ruin. hut it practically assures its
preservation for generations to come.