The historic May Hicks Curtis House in Flagstaff, once under the looming shadow of demolition, has been given a new lease on life. The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the house where the "Betsy Ross of Arizona" lived and created the first Arizona state flag on their list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. As reported by Flagstaff City, the house is to be relocated and preserved for public use, serving as a monument to the state's history and potentially functioning as community space or municipal offices in the future.
Development pressures forced the hand of preservationists, making the relocation of the May Hicks Curtis House the only option to dodge its destruction. The City of Flagstaff, recognizing the cultural and historical importance of the site, has taken over the property's ownership. They plan to move the historic house to a temporary city-owned location, with financial backing from the National Trust's Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund and other sources such as the Arizona Community Foundation and the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. These efforts, as Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett expressed, ensure "that future generations will continue to draw inspiration from the stories it holds."
Amidst efforts to safeguard this piece of the local and national fabric, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes paid homage to the historical figure, paralleling May Hicks's patriotic endeavor with that of Betsy Ross from centuries earlier. "In 1911, May Hicks sewed Arizona’s first state flag, answering her territory’s call just as Betsy Ross had answered America’s," Fontes said, as obtained by Flagstaff's news release. This recognition comes as a poignant reminder as the nation inches towards its 250th anniversary.
The future of the May Hicks Curtis House is one of community connection and educational potential. The Flagstaff authorities are seeking new partnerships to rehabilitate the structure and to fully realize its reincarnation as a space for public outreach. According to the city's Senior Planner, Lauren Clementino, the move promises to offer an interpretive lens on the significant role May Hicks Curtis played in Flagstaff and in the broader tapestry of Arizona’s heritage. City officials have expressed gratitude towards the National Trust for Historic Preservation and an ensemble of local heritage organizations for their indispensable support in preserving this emblematic home.
