Casa Grande Ruins

We visited the Casa Grande National Monument today.  The monument is located about 20 minutes from Casa Grande AZ. 

The Casa Grande "The Big House" was built by the Ancestral People of the Sonoran Desert in 1300 CE. This was the only large four story structure which use is unknown. Some think it was for religious purposes others think it housed the well to do of the period. A roof was put over the ruins in the 1900 s to help preserve them.

 All agree Casa Grande was only occupied for about 100 years to the early 1400 s and the people left the area.  Again there are several opinions as to why but drought and flooding are the most likely. 

So we stood there thinking what it would have been like here 800 years ago.  It doesn't seem like that long ago but it was. I highly recommend a visit to the monument. It was very interesting and made you think about our short time here on earth.

 Owls have been living in the roof of Casa Grande since the 1930s This is the male. The female is sitting on eggs in the monument itself.

 We drove by a McDonalds on the way back and I asked Maria what the people will be thinking when they dig up all these ruins named "McDonalds" 800 years from now.