Era I
The Homestead
Before it was a luxury destination, this land was desert farmland. The story starts with a Civil War veteran who saw something in the Salt River Valley that others didn't.
1888
Winfield Scott, a U.S. Army Chaplain and Civil War veteran, purchased 640 acres of land in the Salt River Valley for $3.50 per acre — the land where Old Town Scottsdale sits today. He planted citrus groves and olive trees, two of which still stand on Second Street.
1894
The community was originally called "Orangedale" by early developer Albert J. Utley. When the Arizona Republican newspaper mistakenly called it "Scottsdale," the name stuck — and Utley officially adopted it.
1896 — 1909
The first schoolhouse was built in 1896. By 1909, the beloved Little Red Schoolhouse replaced it — a red brick building that served as school, church, community center, and polling place. It still stands today as a local history museum.
Era II
The West's Most Western Town
The arrival of Frank Lloyd Wright put Scottsdale on the international map. And the decision to brand itself as a western destination changed everything.
1937
Frank Lloyd Wright established Taliesin West as his winter home and studio in the northeast Scottsdale desert. This brought international attention and attracted artists, architects, and creatives to the area.
1951
Scottsdale was officially incorporated with a population of approximately 2,000. Malcolm White became the first mayor. The community adopted the motto "The West's Most Western Town" — a deliberate branding decision that shaped its identity for decades.
1956
Hotel Valley Ho opened, designed by Edward L. Varney (a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé) in Mid-century Modern style. It was Scottsdale's first air-conditioned hotel and first to operate year-round. It quickly became a celebrity destination.
Era III
The Arts District Emerges
Galleries, museums, and performing arts venues transformed Old Town from a western tourist stop into a legitimate cultural destination.
1961
Scottsdale Fashion Square opened as a three-story open-air shopping center. Over the decades, it would grow to 2 million square feet — the largest mall in Arizona.
1960s
Art galleries began clustering in Old Town. The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) opened in 1964, followed by multiple galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way, establishing what would become one of the country's top art districts.
1975
The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts opened as part of the new Civic Center complex. That same year, the Scottsdale ArtWalk launched — a free Thursday-evening gallery walk that became the longest-running event of its kind in the nation.
1994
The Little Red Schoolhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, preserving one of Old Town's last direct connections to its founding era.
1999
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) opened — a retrofit of a former movie theater designed by architect Will Bruder. It became a key anchor of the modern Arts District.
Era IV
The Entertainment District
The 1990s and 2000s brought nightlife, luxury hotels, and the first wave of high-rise residential development that reshaped Old Town's skyline.
1990s
Old Town's Entertainment District exploded with nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. Venues like Axis-Radius, Suede, SIX Lounge, and Dos Gringos established Scottsdale as the Phoenix metro's premier nightlife destination.
2005
Hotel Valley Ho reopened after an $80 million restoration that stripped away decades of alterations and restored the original Mid-century Modern design. It reopened on the exact 49th anniversary of its original opening.
2006 — 2007
The Scottsdale Waterfront development opened along the Arizona Canal, and the Marshall Way pedestrian bridge connected Old Town to Fashion Square. The first wave of luxury condos arrived: Optima Camelview Village (700 units), Scottsdale Waterfront Residences, and The Mark.
2008
The W Scottsdale luxury hotel opened on Camelback Road, bringing a major national luxury brand to Old Town and signaling the neighborhood's shift toward high-end hospitality and residential.
Era V
The Modern Era
Today's Old Town is a blend of everything that came before — western heritage, arts culture, world-class dining, and some of the most sought-after real estate in the Southwest.
2013 — 2022
Optima Sonoran Village (768 units) and the Optima Kierland towers (7120 and 7180) continued the luxury residential boom. Newer communities like Envy, Sage, and Inspire added boutique options across Old Town.
2015
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West opened on Marshall Way, earning Smithsonian Affiliate status and the title of best Western museum in the nation.
2025 — 2026
The City committed $40 million to the Old Town Revitalization Plan — one of its largest-ever infrastructure investments. New developments like the Goldwater Residences and Magnolia Waterside continue to shape the skyline. Hotel Valley Ho announced an $18 million renovation.
Today
Old Town Scottsdale is home to 100+ art galleries, the state's premier dining scene, luxury condos from $300K to $6M+, a thriving short-term rental market, and a community that balances growth with the neighborhood character that makes it special.