Arcadia Osborne Neighborhood Association

I was interested in the property that used to be South of Osborn and East of 46th Street. It used to be called the Merriweather Estate. My daughter went to school with a Merriweather girl but only for one year at Tavan and then she was gone. My older daughter used to go to this house and play with a girl whose father was the care taker there., She said there were fountains and large columns. Must have been beautiful in its day, Probably in the 20's or 30's. Does any one know about this place or the family that owned it?  Thanks.  Charlottesweb

I grew up in the neighborhood, but like many of the kids, I never ventured near the house. It was a scary, overgrown place in the 1960s, before the property was subdivided in 1970 as the El Coronado Estates. Here are two links to information on the mansion, which is still standing. 

 

http://thompsongenealogy.com/2012/06/rancho-joaquina-needed-a-facelift-before-it-could-be-shown-to-the-public/

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Joaquina_House

I lived in this house for a while back in the 60's. My stepfather was in construction and he went there to fix it up. I remember the 1st day we went there and he had to wrap chains around the vines that were covering the door, just so we could get in. I have a lot of interesting memories of this place. I don't remember how long we lived there but we could have been considered caretakers. It was an incredible place. I have driven by it numerous times over the years and the property surrounding it has deminished substantially. I only remember 1 girl I played with by the name of Ann & one teacher by the named of Mrs. Whitehead at Tavan School who's husband wound up being my teacher in 7th and 8th grade in Cave Creek.

I lived in the neighborhood from 1960 to 1068 and attended Tavan from Kindergarten to fifth grade. The veiw out of my older sisters bedroom window was of that house. I like most of the kids in the neighborhood would not go near the property. It was consided the "haunted house" by us kids. There was a girl however by the name of Lisa Ben who did play with a child at the house. I don't remember ever meeting her. She could have been the "caretakers" daughter mentioned. Are you Lisa's mother? I will always remember this property. After my sister married in 1966 I inherited her bedroom. I recall many nights having trouble falling asleep due to loud eerie music coming from the house!