Tempe Directory of Historic Buildings 

Tempe has more than 200 historic buildings. Enjoy this searchable directory of information and photos.  For more information on any of these properties or to learn how your property can be listed, please contact Tempe Historic Preservation Officer Zachary Lechner at Zachary_Lechner@tempe.gov.

Many of the properties on the Tempe Historic Register, the National Register of Historic Places, or the list of Historic Eligible properties are privately owned and not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of those who may be living in these houses. 

Historic Eligible is a formal classification of parcels which contain buildings, structures, or sites which meet the criteria for designation as a Tempe Historic Property, but which have not been formally designated as "Historic." 

How to Use This Directory

You may search this directory by the categories of Tempe Historic Register, National Historic Register and Historic Eligible Properties. Simply click the down arrow on the All Categories box below and select the one you would like to see. All the properties in that category will appear.  

YEAR BUILT: 1939

HISTORY
The Butler (Gray) House was built in the Park Tract subdivision of the Maple-Ash Neighborhood in 1939.

The Park Tract subdivision was one of Tempe’s earliest suburban residential subdivisions. It was platted in August 1924 to help ease the City’s housing shortage by providing comfortable and modern family housing. As a result, it appealed to many of Tempe’s prominent families, who purchased lots in the subdivision and had their houses built there. Houses had been built in the area as early as 1900 and construction continued until 1960, with peak construction occurring in 1940.

The original owners of the Butler (Gray) House were Audley and Stella Butler. The Butlers occupied the house from 1939 until about 1985.

Audley Butler had been an employee at Salt River Project (SRP) since July 1, 1909. He started out by taking the stagecoach up the Apache Trail to assist with the construction of Roosevelt Dam. Afterward, he spent 43 years at various positions within the company, including as power plant operator at Arizona Falls, South Consolidated, Cross Cut steam plant, and at Roosevelt Dam. In 1919, he became chief operator at Cross Cut and superintendent of Roosevelt Dam. At the time of his retirement in 1952, he had been superintendent at Horse Mesa Dam for 25 years.

ARCHITECTURE
The Butler (Gray) House is an example of a Transitional Ranch style house. The front façade is made of small, box-like forms that step back under the roof. The walls are covered with stucco and have teal casement divided windows. On the exterior there are multiple period fixtures and fitments that remain in place and add to the house’s integrity.

The roof is a low-pitched gable type with exposed rafter tails and composite tiles designed to replicate the look of the original asbestos tiles. At the front of the house, there is a small entry porch at the juncture of the two front wings, which is typical of the Transitional Ranch style.

There is a detached garage to the right of the house that is stepped back to emphasize the front façade of the house.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Staff Report to the Historic Preservation Commission. City of Tempe. April 11, 2004.

Staff Report to the Historic Preservation Commission. City of Tempe. May 6, 2004.

Ryden Architects. “Survey Site No T-430.” In City of Tempe Multiple Resource Area Update: Final Report, Volume Two: Inventory Forms. 1997.

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