Scorpion Gulch buildings in South Mountain Park date to 1936 trading post, listed on Phoenix historic register

A presenter described the history of Scorpion Gulch at South Mountain Park in Phoenix, saying civil engineer William Lunsford opened the South Mountain Trading Post and Curio Shop with an attached family home in 1936.

The site matters to local history and visitors: the presenter said the trading post operated for about 30 years, closed in 1966, and later the city of Phoenix bought and stabilized the property. The presenter added that the Scorpion Gulch name was copyrighted by Lunsford and that today the vacant buildings are primarily used for photography; a sign at the site reads, "This is Scorpion Gulch."

According to the presenter, Lunsford moved his family to Phoenix in 1911, worked on railroads until the early 1930s, trained Civilian Conservation Corps members, and moved his family to the foothills of South Mountain in 1934. The presenter said the trading post and curio shop opened in 1936 and remained open for roughly three decades before closing in 1966. There was an unsuccessful later attempt to operate a bar at the site, after which the property deteriorated until the city purchased and stabilized it.

The presenter said the property was added to the Phoenix historic property register in 1990. The presentation did not specify any current restoration or redevelopment plans for the site.