4 october 2015 T hey call it “the gateway to Arcadia.” Tucked back from the street on the lush southeast corner of Camelback Road and Arcadia Lane, with a breathtaking view of Camelback Mountain, lies a property whose history dates back to the origin of Arcadia itself. In the roughly 100 years since investors first purchased the property in the early 1900s, the now more than three-acre parcel of land has been home to a wealthy banker and the Suhr family, of the Pennzoil Company, and owned by local real estate investor Martha Shemer and the City of Phoenix. Today, the property houses the Shemer Art Center – a cornerstone of the local arts community, supporting Arizona artists and engaging youth and adults with art classes and events. But in its early days, the property was part of 640 acres purchased by real estate developers hoping to strike it rich. Although their dreams never materialized, due to mounting expenses, The Great Depression and the fact that the property was located too far from town, their efforts led to the creation of Arcadia and the Arcadia Water Company. “It’s kind of the symbol of Arcadia, like the Black Sphinx dates, and is so iconic to what makes Arcadia such a neat place,” said The Hip Historian and local artist Marshall Shore. If the walls of the Santa Fe mission-style Shemer Art Center building could talk, they’d surely share happy memories of the prominent families who passed through their hallways. There is one person in particular, however, they’d likely speak the most about, and that is Martha Shemer. A real estate investor and a woman called “ahead of her time,” Shemer recognized the unique value of the property where the home sits and purchased it in 1984 for the sole purpose of donating it back to the community. The Shemer Art Center ORIGINAL ARCADIA PROPERTY BRINGS ART AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER By Katie Mayer Some of the first art lessons offered at the Shemer Art Center in 1985. PHOTO: ARCADIA NEWS ARCHIVES In March of 1928, Henry Coerver sold his home to the president of Pennzoil, Charles Suhr. The news of the sale made the front page of the The Arizona Republican. The sale price of the home was $50,000. Photo: Arizona Republican, March 28, 1928. Continued on page 6

WALT DANLEY RE ALT Y Arizona’s Luxury Real Estate Company RE ALT Y Walt Danley 480.991.2050 WaltDanley.com Phoenix Sophisticated elegance and clean, contemporary lines make up the cornerstone of this remarkable property situated in a premier Phoenix location with spectacular views of Camelback Mountain and the Praying Monk. 4BR | 4.5BA | 4,200 SF | $3,250,000 Libby Cohen 602.291.1446 Arcadia This beautifully designed Hilker home encompasses eve- ry aspect of modern living. Recently renovated in 2015, this split floor plan home blends a palette of both elegant and practical finishes. 6BR | 8BA | 6,916 SF | $2,895,000 Jack Luciano/Raul Siqueiros 480.824.1717 Scottsdale The perfect short-term lease opportunity awaits along the Oa- sis Golf Course at the Phoenician Resort. This splendid patio home offers a light-and-bright open floor plan with newer carpeting, updated bathrooms and comfortable furnishings. 2BR | 2BA | 1,630 SF | $2,500/month Christy Dean 602.327.0697 Phoenix Located on high on Camelback’s south face, this spectacu- lar build site has been excavated and is ready to accommo- date up to a 12,000 square foot dream home with room for multiple garages and parking space for 20 cars. 1.17 Acres | $1,188,000 Raquel Barbey 602.526.4571 Phoenix Updated and restored in 2010 by Greg Hunt, this 1955 mid-century modern ranch by celebrated architect Paul Christian Yaeger is a richly detailed example of classic Yaeger and displays the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. 5BR | 5.5BA | 5,056 SF | $2,150,000 Karen Ganz 602.469.6709 Scottsdale This is an wonderful opportunity to own one of the larg- est penthouses in the valley. Boasting a prime location at Scottsdale Fashion Square, this property has 5,600 square feet of patio space offers endless possibilities. 8,513 SF | Commercial or Residential | $2,950,000 Jack Luciano/Raul Siqueiros 480.824.1717