McFarland State Historic Park
🏆 Official Guide: McFarland State Historic Park — Preserving the 1878 First Pinal County Courthouse — one of Arizona’s oldest standing courthouses — in downtown Florence, Pinal County, Arizona — an adobe building (Sonoran-Anglo architectural blend, designed by Levi Ruggles “Father of Florence”) — now a museum of Arizona Territorial history, Gila River Valley heritage, WWII POW camp artifacts, and the remarkable story of Ernest W. McFarland (the only person to serve as US Senator + Majority Leader, Governor of Arizona, AND Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court) — who purchased + restored the courthouse and founded the Arizona State Parks system.
McFarland State Historic Park tells the story of Arizona’s territorial days through the lens of a remarkable adobe courthouse and an even more remarkable man. The 1878 Pinal County Courthouse — one of the oldest standing courthouses in Arizona — was designed by Levi Ruggles, the “Father of Florence,” using adobe bricks made from local soil. The park is named for Ernest W. McFarland, the only known American to have served in the top position of all three branches of state government — and the man who personally saved this building from demolition.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Florence, Pinal County, AZ |
| Building | 1878 First Pinal County Courthouse — adobe construction |
| Architecture | Sonoran-Anglo blend — adobe walls + wood-shingled pitched roof |
| Architect | Levi Ruggles — “Father of Florence” |
| Camping | ⚠️ NONE — historic site, day use only |
What to See
| Exhibit | Details |
|---|---|
| Courthouse Museum | Territorial Arizona history — Gila River Valley heritage |
| McFarland Exhibits | Career of Ernest W. McFarland — Senator, Governor, Chief Justice |
| WWII POW Camp | Artifacts from Florence’s WWII prisoner-of-war camp |
| Mining History | Silver King Mine + Pinal County mining boom |
| Adobe Architecture | Original 1878 construction — local adobe bricks + wagon-hauled lumber |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ernest McFarland?
Ernest W. “Mac” McFarland (1894–1984) is the only known person to have served in the highest office of all three branches of government: US Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Governor of Arizona, and Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. He also founded the Arizona State Parks system. He personally purchased the deteriorating 1878 courthouse in 1974, funded its restoration, and donated it to the state.
What is the building made of?
The 1878 courthouse was built with adobe bricks made from local soil — a traditional Sonoran construction method. The wood-shingled pitched roof represents Anglo-American influence, creating a unique architectural hybrid. Lumber was hauled by wagon from northern Arizona. The building served as a courthouse until 1891, then functioned as a jail, hospital, welfare center, and boarding home before McFarland saved it.
