Dr. A.J. Chandler Park

Dr. A.J. Chandler wanted to create a city like no other in the world. He chose the City Beautiful Movement design to create a Center with a grand public park, a covered colonnade system complemented with classical architecture. Later, he joined with world-renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, to create a center that would reflect the surrounding desert.

Historic Downtown Chandler has been designated a historic commercial district and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Downtown Chandler is also home to Arizona’s first golf resort, the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort that opened in 1913. The historic buildings date from 1912 to 1930.