Preserving History: Exploring Globe’s Iconic Downtown Historic District
The iconic Downtown Historic District encompasses the city’s early twentieth-century governmental district and businesses, preserving much of its original appearance and identity. This area primarily developed from 1876 to 1935 as the Gila County seat and trading center for one of the state’s richest copper mining regions.
Globe’s Downtown Historic District also includes the Globe Post Office and Courthouse, as well as three prominent churches, indicating that this is the community’s core civic life. Here are some of the notable buildings and structures in the Downtown Historic District:
Gila County Courthouse: This Italian Renaissance-style building was constructed of locally quarried dacite in 1906.
Gila County Jail: Built in 1909, it was continually used until 1981. The cell blocks of this building were transported from Yuma, AZ prison.
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse: This Beaux-Arts architecture-style building was constructed in 1926.
Butler Building: Although built in 1901, it served as Globe’s First National Bank in 1905.
Elks Building: This Romanesque-style construction was built in 1910 and stands as the tallest three-story building in the U.S.
Gila Valley Band & Trust Building: Built in 1909, it is the only Neoclassical-style structure in Globe.
St. John’s Episcopal Church: This Gothic Revival-style church was constructed in 1908 and is the oldest church temple in Gila County.
First Baptist Church: Similar to the Episcopal Church, this temple also follows the Gothic Revival style. It was built in 1917.
Holy Angels Church: Constructed in 1918, this church features stained windows designed by one of America’s foremost stained glass artists, Emil Frei Sr.