This soon-to-be half-century old subdivision officially designated as Town
and Country Manor 2, now part of the Rancho Ventura neighborhood, is
comprised of some 60 mid-century modern ranch homes. These single-family
ranches with their sweeping low pitch roof lines, reminiscent of a flying
wing aircraft, were planned and developed by Fred Woodward from a design by
noted architect Ralph Haver. Although modified over the decades this patch
of modern homes retains many of the characteristics of the Haver design,
their low-pitch front-facing gable roofs, clerestory type windows, and
Haver’s distinct use of three, rather than four load bearing walls. All
homes are predominantly concrete block with variations in facade of red
brick, clinker brick, reclaimed brick and painted block. The ‘hood
boundaries are Palm Lane on the north, McDowell to the south, 42nd Street on
the east and 41st street to the west.
At the time, this mid-size subdivision style marked Phoenix’s post-war
suburban boundries. Now engulfed by the ever-expanding city, the flavor is
clearly more urban. Although visually a bit on the “sketchy” side, the area
remains relatively calm and welcoming. For a subdivision flanked by a
trailer park and a couple of rather unsightly apartment complexes the
pedestrian traffic is low, and most can be counted as “regulars” allowing
one to still account for the “stranger” in the Haverhood.
Now don’t be a stranger, there’s a renaissance afoot -- a new awareness of the
value of these mid-century classics and of urban renewal. It’s an
up-and-comer, so join us, if not as a neighbor then as fan of our little
Haverhood.
~ Hector Acuna 
Compare house style and clinker bricks to Town and Country in Scottsdale and see more of Hector's pictures of this neighborhood and his home. |
