Celebrate Veteran's Day At McFarland State Historic Park

McFarland State Historic Park will celebrate this patriotic holiday with living history presentations & re-enactors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 11th.

At McFarland State Historic Park, visitors see & feel for themselves the history of Arizona & the people who helped shape it. They do this by touring the buildings, seeing & reading documents from all 3 branches of government in which "Mac" McFarland served, & by participating in the many special events that take place throughout the year.

McFarland Courthouse & museum provides visitors with a window into the past. The 1878 Territorial Courthouse represents a transition between Sonoran & Anglo-American architecture with a wood-shingled pitched roof surmounting traditional adobe brick walls. In 1963, the Pinal Co. Historical Society acquired & maintained the building as a museum. Today, the buildings & house exhibits depicting the history of the area include the Ernest McFarland Archives & World War II POW Camp.

In 1878, Florence, Az was known as "the garden city." Located in the middle of the desert, its lush grass would spread outward from tall stands of cottonwood trees that lined the hard-packed streets. Farmers, ranchers & miners would join townspeople at the Pinal Co. Courthouse, the center of activity, to socialize & transact business.

This adobe brick building, now McFarland State Historic Park, served many roles during the late 1800's & early 1900's, most notably as a jail house & a hospital. Indeed, it was the 1st Pinal Co. Courthouse. Built in 1877-78, it held the sheriff's office, the courtroom, the judge's chambers, & the jail on the 1st floor. The 2nd story was used as a jury room & quarters for visiting lawmen.

"Mac" McFarland
Ernest W. McFarland, or "Mac", contributed to Arizona history through an active public service career & many lasting projects. He is the only known American to have served his state in the highest branches of government (U.S. Senator of which he served as majority leader, Governor, & Arizona Supreme Court Justice). The decades in which "Mac" served the government also witnessed unprecedented growth in Arizona & the Southwest. McFarland was in the forefront during a crucial time, assisting in the modernization of Arizona, the region & the country.

"Mac" McFarland was commonly referred to as the "Father of the G.I. Bill" because he wrote the home & business loan sections. Other major contributions include working on the Central Arizona Project & founding the Arizona State Parks system in 1957.

The park is located in downtown Florence at Main & Ruggles. Regular park fees apply. Park Entrance Fee is $2 per person for anyone aged 14 & up. There is no charge for children 13 years & younger. Arizona State Park Annual Pass is available for $45 (some restrictions apply) & Premium Annual Pass is sold for $100. Arizona State Parks offers a free Annual Pass to disabled veterans living in Arizona for those qualified at 100% disability.

For more information please call McFarland State Historic Park at (520) 868-5216.