McFarland State Historic Park

McFarland State Historic Park is a territorial-era courthouse complex in downtown Florence featuring seven rooms built from rammed adobe clay with a shingled roof. The ensemble includes the original 1878 courthouse building, a county recorder's office, and supporting structures that together document the area's administrative past.

The courthouse was built in 1878 as the first administrative center for Pinal County, serving the growing settlement as its judicial hub. The complex became a state historic park in 1974 to preserve the territorial-era structures and their role in regional development.

The space tells the story of Florence's founding, where early settlers built their homes using local adobe clay and wood materials. Visitors can see how daily life unfolded in a territorial courthouse through the preserved rooms and furnishings.

The site is located in downtown Florence and is easily reached on foot, with free access throughout the year. The best time to visit is morning or early afternoon, when the adobe buildings cast less shadow and the interiors are more comfortable to explore.

The park preserves rare artifacts from Florence's German prisoner of war camp, which operated here during World War II. These objects offer an unexpected window into a lesser-known episode of Arizona's past.

Location: Arizona

Inception: 1974

Website: https://azstateparks.com/mcfarland

GPS coordinates: 33.03610,-111.38800

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42