A Guide to Arizona National Monuments

White House Ruins - Canyon de Chelly National Monument

According to Wikipedia, there are 18 Arizona National Monuments, which is the largest number for any one state. New Mexico is second with 13, followed by California with ten.

“The [1906] Antiquities Act… authorizes the President, by proclamation, to set aside ‘historical landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are upon lands owned or controlled by the United States as National Monuments.’
Under this law and subsequent authorizations, 84 national monuments have now been established.” 1

President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national monument, Devils Tower in Wyoming, on September 24, 1906.

Since that time every president except Richard Nixon has established a National Monument. Bill Clinton, with 19, established the most National Monuments.

To date, there are 108 National Monuments within the United States.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument was the first cultural and prehistoric site to be protected by the United States government. It was set aside in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison.

It was elevated to National Monument status on August 3, 1918 by President Woodrow Wilson.

On December 8, 1906, the Petrified Forest became the first National Monument in Arizona.

By an act of congress, it was made a National Park on January 1, 1962.

Books and Maps about some of the National Monuments in Arizona may be purchased through Amazon.com by clicking the link below.

Arizona National Monuments

Arizona National Monuments

• Agua Fria National Monument
• Canyon De Chelly National Monument *
• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Chiricahua National Monument
• Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument *
• Hohokam Pima National Monument
• Ironwood Forest National Monument
• Montezuma Castle National Monument
• Navajo National Monument *
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
• Pipe Spring National Monument *
• Sonoran Desert National Monument
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument *
• Tonto National Monument
• Tuzigoot National Monument
• Vermillion Cliffs National Monument *
• Walnut Canyon National Monument *
• Wupatki National Monument *