Knights of Pythias Building 261/365

The Knights of Pythias building in Phoenix was constructed in 1928 and still stands today on 1st Avenue north of Roosvelt in the Roosevelt Neighborhood Multiple Resource Area. In the early days of Arizona history, the K of P claimed the movers and shakers of early Phoenix amongst its members. Not only did Pythians meet in this hall, but other fraternal and sororital organizations which played an important social role in Phoenix as well as other Western settlements used the building as their meeting place. Various lodge meetings were important settings for business and political transactions and they provided a desired link with Eastern mores. In addition to K of P, fraternal organizations utilizing the building included the Pythian Sisters, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Nomads of Avrudka, and the Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots. Later the Knights of Columbus and the Masons met in the building.

Early members of the K of P included Carl Hayden, who served a record 56 consecutive years in Congress as both a US Representative and a US Senator from Arizona, and Ernest McFarland, who served as Arizona’s governor in the 1950s after having had terms as a Superior Court judge in Arizona and as an Arizona US Senator.

The Pioneer & Military Memorial Park located near the Arizona State Capitol comprised of seven historic cemeteries which were in use between 1884 and 1914 includes a Knights of Pythias plot.

The two-story red brick building with carved stone façade sits a mere 20 feet away from the Metro Light Rail.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places and the City of Phoenix Historic Property Register and is currently occupied by two architectural firms.