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Belva's Real Estate Florence Visitors Center

Florence, Arizona

The earliest fired-brick building still standing in Florence and the town's second oldest brick structure, the second Nicholas Saloon and Beer Hall was built in 1889 for John Nicholas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nicholas was a French-born rancher, farmer, and saloon keeper who came to town in 1880 and opened his first Beer Hall about 1886. He then moved to this building in October 1889.

One of the few structures in the historic district to include a basement which may have been used to store liquor and keep it cool, the bar also boasted a steam-powered fan to cool patrons in the summer. The Sonoran roof was constructed of log beams spaced from about 20 to 40 inches apart, with saguaro cactus ribs laid continuously across the tops of the beams. The cactus ribs are covered with a layer of straw, followed by several layers of mud (and possibly horse manure depending on the mason) resulting in a floor to ceiling dimension between 12 and 14 feet. Therefore, unlike the Nicholas Residence, the Nicholas Building still has the mud and cactus ceiling. It also still has a wood floor.

Originally, there were three entrances, two on 11th Street and one on Bailey Street. The building has been used variously as a residential dwelling and rental, and currently as an office. Current owners are Paul and Diane Marchand and John and Laura Bolognino.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Pinal County Historical Museum

A flashback into Native American and Territorial Arizona history is your when you visit the museum. There are exhibits of 125 varieties of barbed wire, early doctor'

Florence, AZ Museums

First Presbyterian Church of Florence

The First Presbyterian Church of Florence was the second oldest Presbyterian Church in Arizona. Established in November of 1888

Florence, AZ Historic Churches

Clarke House

Indian raids on white settlers were common in the 1880s. When William Clarke, a mining engineer, and his wife Ella came to Florence, he devised built-in security in constructing his residence about 1884

Florence, AZ Historic Homes

Florence Woman's Club

The Florence Woman's Club grew from the original Florence Village Improvement Club, organized in 1897 to improve and beautify the town of Florence. Members paid 25 cents a year to Mrs. T.F Weedin to keep the club's rake under her porch.

Florence, AZ Historic Buildings


Things to do near Florence, AZ

Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club

Course Access: PublicHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 30 days...

Arizona Biltmore Country Club -Links

Course Access: ResortHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 5 days...

Lost Dutchman State Park Trails

Please use caution when hiking at the park. Those planning to use the longer trails should carry a topographic map. Each pers...