Historic Preservation
An important part of P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center is to help the community relate to its’ history. One way to acknowledge history is to preserve buildings that represent important people, represent an important era, or relate to the community in an historic way. Several projects are represented here.
Tal'-wi-wi Ranch
A famous historic ranch is in danger of being torn down for new commercial construction in the West Valley. At one time, the Tal’-Wi-Wi Ranch was famous for dates, grapes, citrus, and cattle, and Col. Dale Bumstead had an international reputation for farming success in a desert climate.
Families growing up in Waddell, Litchfield Park, and the West Valley knew about the farming operation – that is still in use today – and can be seen on both sides of Litchfield Road, between Olive Road and Peoria Avenue. The Bumstead home, housekeeper’s house, and guest house, designed by one of Arizona’s most famous architects, were in a lush park on the west side of the road. On the east side of the road are the remains of a historic palm grove, rail siding, and farm operations. Many of the buildings are still in use. This land has been continuously farmed for almost 100 years with only three owners.
Col. Dale Bumstead at his Tal’-wi-wi Ranch located north of Olive Road and on both side of Litchfield Road.
St Thomas Aquinas Mission Church
Located across from the Wigwam Resort entrance, in Litchfield Park, the original St. Thomas Aquinas Mission Church is still a building to be admired. Its clean, white lines and sculpted doorway has charmed people since it was first built and is a popular backdrop for local photographers’ today.
A partnership between Southwest Cotton Company, local residents, and the Tucson Diocese of the Catholic Church brought the building into existence. With Goodyear Tire and Rubber’s support, Paul Litchfield worked with Frank and Sara Serrano, who ran the Litchfield Park general store and post office, to select a site for the church. The land on which the mission church sits was purchased by Southwest Cotton from William and Mary Morgan on January 25, 1917, and later sold by Southwest Cotton Co. to the Diocese of Tucson in May, 1923.
