Tempe Historic Property Survey

The house was built in the winter of 1888-89 for Mrs. Lulu Sampson, a widow and teacher with the infant Tempe School System. At the time of its construction, Tempe was in its first year of development under the vigorous promotion of the Tempe Land and Improvement Co. Mrs. Sampson moved from the house in 1894 when failing health forced her retirement from teaching. The use of the house during most of the historic period was as a rental, occupied by several Tempe notables including C. H. Jones, Normal School Professor C. M. Frizzell, and Tempe's first postal carrier Lyle Wier. The Sampson House was purchased in 1924 by Mrs. Cordelia E. Tupper and continued to be used as a rental.

This house is the oldest remaining brick residence within the Tempe Multiple Resource Area. The use of brick for construction had previously been limited to the 1886 Tempe Normal School Building (demolished) but with the 1888 construction efforts of the commercial district, new local brick kilns made the material more accessible and affordable. The house received modifications, c1893 and again in 1925, both of which do not significantly alter its original architectural integrity. The building was moved to 601 W. 3rd Street in 1988, and a new period porch was later added.

Go to Tempe Historic Property Survey