Rittenhouse Elementary School

Rittenhouse Elementary School is a Spanish Colonial Revival school building located at the intersection of Ellsworth and Queen Creek roads in Arizona. The structure retains original features such as transom windows, maple floors with tongue-and-groove joints, and slate blackboards throughout its interior spaces.

The building was constructed between 1924 and 1925 and operated as a school until its closure in 1982. A major expansion added new classrooms in 1936 with funding from New Deal programs.

Today it houses the San Tan Historical Society Museum, where visitors explore Queen Creek's past through exhibits about farming and education in the region. Photographs and documents tell the story of how the community developed over time.

The building is open to the public as a museum and sits at a central location in Queen Creek that is easy to reach on foot. Plan your visit during regular museum hours to see the full range of exhibits and displays.

During a 2002 restoration, workers uncovered student graffiti hidden beneath decades of modifications, offering a direct view of everyday school life from earlier generations. These preserved markings provide authentic evidence of how the space was actually used by children.

Location: Arizona

Official opening: 1926

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 33.26120,-111.63400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:44