north-central Phoenix and my wife, Carrie said, ‘Gram’s house is going to be torn down so we have to move into it.’ And I said, there is no air conditioning. Carrie said, ‘But you don’t understand. This is what we are going to do.’ So I said (smiling and laughing) of course this is what we are going to do!” Jon added, “Carrie, and the rest of her generation, did not want the house torn down because it represented her grandparents, Jack and Henrietta Louis, and their remarkable foresight to set down roots in Phoenix over 75 years ago.” The Louis family had created such an abundance of fond memories at El Chaparral. Carrie spent her childhood running around and having orange fights with other kids in the large yard. So the Hulburds moved in, put in air conditioning and made other changes over the years to better suit their needs. They took great care to preserve the original look of the home, and did such a fine job that El Chaparral is on the National Register of Historic Places. The expansive parcel has since been reduced to a still generous three-acre lot where dogs and even their two pigs, Hamlet and Kirby, roam, run and wallow. The impeccably manicured box hedges and a lily pond adorned with a bronze fountain figure acquired by the late Mrs. Louis while visiting Florence, Italy are placed beautifully in the front yard. The Hulburds planted forty citrus trees on the property as homage to the past, as well as a desert garden originally designed by Christy Ten Eyck. And Jon grows an abundance of seasonal vegetables, fruit and herbs in raised garden beds. He declared with the tempered earnest of a passionate but seasoned green thumb, “I’m a big gardener. I love to garden. But in the summer I just let everything go to [rest].” The gracious property also provides entertainment for all ages with a bocce ball court, soccer field, an in- ground trampoline, a playhouse, a basketball court, and of course a swimming and diving pool. Romantic outdoor dining and cozy sitting areas with fireplaces are tucked into nooks all over the grounds. The natural resonance and airy feel of architect Edward Loomis Bowes’ style can be felt throughout the home. The solid and earthy texture of the unsheathed brick walls is complimented by cool and creamy white paint both inside and out, visually implying consistent integrity. The quiet restraint of the minimal traditional style allows the grounds, furnishings and artwork to gently capture one’s attention. It’s easy to imagine it as an escape from formality and a conduit for communion with nature. Bright light from the numerous, original steel fixed and casement windows is softened by honeyed shades of wood in the exposed beam ceilings and hardwood floors. The multilevel roofline and slightly varied ceiling and floor finishes creates cozy rooms with their own identity and interest. Continued from page 10 Continued on page 14

An unfettered view of Camelback Mountain, seen here from the front of El Chaparral (above and right) was not uncommon in 1938. While the area was starting to see some land acquisition and citrus planting, most lots were 10-12 acres or more. Houses were few and far between. Citrus farming was encouraged, but dates, olives and grapes also flourished in the area, along with livestock like sheep and cattle. The Louis homestead was made up of two 12-acre parcels, lots 10 and 11 out of the 25 lots that made up the Citrus Homes subdivision. Development north of Lafayette was years away, and the dream of Arcadia was not yet realized. Around 1940, the Louis family hired one of the few aerial photographers of the day to shoot their palatial estate (below). Bisecting the photo left to right is Lafayette Boulevard. A delivery vehicle can be seen heading west in the upper-left part of the photo. In the 1990s the property was sold after the passing of Henrietta Louis. Henrietta’s granddaughter, Carrie Hulburd, purchased three of the 24 acres, to preserve El Chaparral. A 41-home subdivision known as Arcadia Estates was built on the rest of the original land. Today, the 3-acre property is one of the few original rural estates remaining in the area. By Greg A. Bruns In the past... 480-941-8954 9:30 – 5:30 Monday – Friday • 9:30 – 5:00 Saturday • 5625 East Indian School Road, Phoenix www.oneposhplace.com Visit our Retail Showroom Also offering Award Winning Interior Design by Paige Bailey & Associates, Inc. OnePosh_Arcadia_4-2014.qxp_Layout 2 4/3/14 1:17 AM Page 1