Yaple Park

Between 1929 and 1938, Floyd Medlock built 103 homes in Yaple Park, originally owned and used as farmland by the Yaple Family. Transitional Early Ranch Style homes make up most of this Phoenix suburb.

This article from the Urban Team will focus on the Yaple Park Historic District in mid-town Phoenix Arizona.  Yaple Park Historic District is located between 3rd and 7th Avenues,  between the Grand Canal and Turney, just north of the Melrose District.

FYI: We have a virtual tour of the neighborhood to the right.

Yaple Park Historic District History:

Yaple Park Historic District is a history lesson told through homes. As this article is being written we wonder how subdivisions of the early 2000’s will be remembered 50 years from now since the stories are not dissimilar.

Yaple Park’s story date back to 1899 when James & Sue Yaple purchased about 40 acres of land below the Grand Canal between what is now 7th and 3rd Avenue. The Yaple’s were grain and citrus growers who utilized the canal system for irrigation.

Mr. Yaple died in 1911 leaving the operation to his wife Sue. She carried on the farm until 1929 when she swung a deal with the Coggins Title Company to subdivide and develop the property. Today, we know 1929 was a very bad time to start a new project. Despite great effort, few homes were built and the project laid dormant while the nation recovered from the Great Depression.

Floyd Medlock, a cotton broker and real estate developer (see Medlock Place) took over the reigns in the late 30’s. He was reported to be the driving force behind much of Yaple Park’s rebirth building 60 homes between 1937 and 1941.

The Federal Housing Authority and VA had great influence over housing projects in the late 1930’s and 40’s mandating homes that were “safe, sturdy and efficient.” It is for this reason nearly two-thirds of Yaple Park’s homes are of the transitional ranch style as they met the FHA requirements.

It is said,  Medlock enticed buyers with promises of low taxes (Yaple Park with outside the city limits) and country living. Hard to imagine an area just north of Indian School was in the country.

Yaple Park Historic District HomeYaple Park Historic District Today

Today, Yaple Park Historic District is considered an excellent example of FHA influenced housing Sadly, only one home, located at 615 W. Miinezona, stands from the days of the original Yaple farm. The other 107 single family homes are from the 1920’s to 1950’s. Homes in Yaple Park are rather modest in nature with gracious front yards and lush vegetation due to the use of lot irrigation over the years.

In addition to the dozens of transitional ranch homes discussed earlier, visitors to Yaple park are treated to many other styles including:

  • Spanish Colonial Revival
  • French Provincial Revival
  • English Cottage
  • Monterrey Revival
  • Cape Cod
  • Pueblo Revival
  • Art Moderne

The streets in Yaple Park are fairly wide. The large trees and rich vegetation give the neighborhood a cozy well lived feeling. It’s location, adjacent to the Grand Canal, make jaunts by foot or  bike a popular outdoor activity. Proximity to the light rail gives resident’s easy access to the downtown region with lots of options including concerts, sports events, restaurants and more.

Homes For Sale in Yaple Park Historic District

Below you’ll find a list of homes for sale in Yaple Park historic district. If you have questions about a place. please know we are here for you. Just let us know.