The museum is located in Phoenix at 4619 E. Canal System 2, the large system that heads on the Salt River at Pueblo Grande, was probably capable of irrigating over 10,000 acres of land. The canals measure 26 and 18 meters in width and approximately 6.1 meters in depth.

Two large prehistoric canals are still preserved in “Park of the Four Waters”, located in the southern portion of the Pueblo Grande Archeological Park. An excavated ball court, and two full-scale reproductions of prehistoric Hohokam homes can be viewed along the trail which leads from the museum. On the 102-acre park grounds, visitors can explore the ruin of an 800-year-old platform mound possibly used by the Hohokam for religious ceremonies or as an administrative center (Like Casa Grande, it may also have been used as an irrigation observation post.). This museum and park is located at a 1,500 year-old Hohokam ruin in modern-day Phoenix. Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park It is also speculated that one of the functions of Casa Grande was to provide an overlook from which the Hohokam could observe the status of their canals.

While there are no prehistoric irrigation systems in the park, the museum presents excellent background information on the Hohokam canals which diverted water from the nearby Gila River. Casa Grande Ruins, the nation’s first archeological preserve, protects the Casa Grande (see Photograph 1) and other archeological sites within its boundaries. This national monument, located south of Phoenix, contains the ruins of Casa Grande or “Great House,” a large and enigmatic prehistoric structure. In Mesa, there is “Park of the Canals” which boasts large hand-dug canals that were originally made by the Hohokam, and latter deepened by the Mormon settlers.

However, there are some rather striking remains such as the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument near Casa Grande and the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix, both of which have Hohokam buildings and relics. Unfortunately, not much is left in the way of remnants of Hohokam people.

Hohokam irrigation