Monuments

In 2011, the Story Preservation Association asked for neighborhood input on ideas for neighborhood beautification and improvement, several suggested historical markers along our eastern border on 7th Avenue. Dozens of design ideas were submitted, and the final was selected, being mindful to model the monuments in Windsor Square, Palmcroft and Pierson Place neighborhoods. A neighbor was kind enough to share this photo of Willetta and Central Avenue, sometime in the 1930s, giving a visual of what entryway points in the area looked like during the period many of F.Q. Story homes were being built.

After two years of discussion and debate, approval was given to fund and construct entryway monuments on 7th Avenue at Portland, Culver, Willetta and Lynwood Streets. It was a challenging project because of the many layers of governmental approval needed to build in the public right-of-way, and the underground utilities to respect. In a partnership with ADOT (landowner) and the City of Phoenix (contracted maintainer), the Story Preservation Association was able to gain city and state approval. The final design included a smooth finish that resembles the texture of the period with recessed lettering that is similar to the appearance of the historic monument in Windsor Square. Each monument has a stone cap and a recessed plaque that notes "FQ Story", the year the neighborhood was established (1920) and the street name.

Construction began, July 31, 2013. The unusual layout of the four principal streets along 7th Avenue presented a challenge. Two of our streets, Portland and Willetta, had symmetry and available right-of-way for more prominent monuments, while Culver and Lynwood did not, with both having one side of the street that could not be built on. The Portland and Willetta monuments were designed with flanking entry markers. Single monuments were designed for the north side of Culver and the south side of Lynwood. Each monument was designed with a hole in the top for flags that could be inserted during the annual home tour or yard sale for greater visibility during special events.

It took two years to advance the monument idea, with the project being completed in October of 2013. There was much excitement to undertake the project that not only beautified 7th Avenue and provided name recognition for our neighborhood, but also returned some of the charm that once graced the arterial streets of downtown Phoenix. When asked "What can we do to make our neighborhood a better place?", we think these monuments did just that!

In 2015, our neighbors on Portland woke up to a crash. An apparent drunk driver jumped the curb on 7th Avenue, crossed the sidewalk and damaged our young monument. A large palm tree, some 80 years old, was taken off just above ground level, and later removed by the City. Before we’d even received quotes on the monument repairs, another errant driver hit our monument on Willetta. On reflection, we likely saved a bit by being able to bundle the two repairs. With the help of a few neighborhood residents, the monuments were repaired and the Phoenix Streets Department landscaped the area.

Back to Storied Landmarks

Monuments in the F.Q. Story Historic District serve as markers for the territory and, more importantly, provide quiet visions of heritage, permanence, and curving beauty.

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