McFarland State Historic Park

McFarland State Historic Park
First Pinal County Courthouse
Map showing the location of McFarland State Historic Park
Map showing the location of McFarland State Historic Park
Location of McFarland State Historic Park in Arizona
LocationPinal, Arizona, United States
Coordinates33°2′10″N 111°23′16″W / 33.03611°N 111.38778°W / 33.03611; -111.38778
Established1974
Named forErnest McFarland
Visitors7,735 (in 2022)[1]
Governing bodyArizona State Parks

McFarland State Historic Park is a small historic park located in downtown Florence, Arizona on the corner of Main and Ruggles streets. The park consists of a preserved courthouse and other buildings dating to the Arizona Territory period. The original structure was built in 1878 with the addition of a jail in 1882 and the courthouse in 1891. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

McFarland State Historic Park commemorates Ernest McFarland (1894–1984), who was successively a US Senator, Governor of Arizona, and Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. McFarland bought the old courthouse building in 1974, donated it to the state, and paid for its renovation. The park was opened and dedicated October 10, 1979.[2]

The park reopened in February 2011 after repairs and renovations. It had been closed because of Arizona State Parks budget cuts.[3]

  1. ^ "Monthly State Parks Visitation Report" (PDF). Arizona Office of Tourism. December 2022.
  2. ^ Eatherly, Charles R. "History of McFarland State Historic Park". Arizona State Parks.
  3. ^ "McFarland State Historic Park and Florence Visitor Center". Arizona State Parks. Retrieved February 14, 2011.