May Hicks Curtis House in Flagstaff Chosen for America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places – City Facilitating Relocation of House to Prevent Demolition

The May Hicks Curtis House in Flagstaff was designated today by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Known as the “Betsy Ross” of Arizona, May Hicks Curtis sewed the first Arizona state flag in 1911. The May Hicks Curtis House, where she lived and worked for decades, was under imminent threat of demolition, but the City of Flagstaff is working to relocate, and rehabilitate the house for community use while commemorating the important historical significance of the site.

Due to new development on the lot where the May Hicks Curtis House stood since its construction, relocation of the house was the only way to prevent demolition. Recognizing the significance of the House, the City of Flagstaff took ownership of the House and is moving it to a temporary location on City property. The move is funded in part by a grant from the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Once a permanent location has been identified, the house will be moved for a final time and rehabilitated. Additional grant funding for initial stabilization and condition assessment was provided by the Arizona Community Foundation and Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.

Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said “The May Hicks Curtis House stands as a testament to the rich history and heritage that have shaped Flagstaff, and its preservation ensures that future generations will continue to draw inspiration from the stories it holds. Thank you to Secretary Fontes for helping promote the history of May Hicks Curtis and her connection to the Arizona flag, as well as to our partners for helping to make this relocation and rehabilitation a reality.”

“In 1911, May Hicks sewed Arizona’s first state flag, answering her territory’s call just as Betsy Ross had answered America’s. Two women, generations apart, stitching symbols of hope for a rising democracy. As America’s 250th birthday approaches, let us remember the May Hicks home, now listed among America’s Most Endangered Historic Places. Saving places like hers keeps alive the frontier spirit that built both the State of Arizona and the nation itself,” said Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. 

The City hopes to raise public awareness and seek new partnerships for rehabilitating, interpreting, and activating the house. Future uses could include serving as municipal offices or providing publicly accessible community space, along with public interpretation of the importance of May Hicks Curtis’s contributions to Flagstaff and Arizona’s history.  

City officials would like to thank the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona Secretary of State, Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation, Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, and Arizona America250 Commission for their support of this effort.

For more information on the National Trust for Historic Preservations 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, please visit https://savingplaces.org/press-center/media-resources/announcing-the-2025-list-of-americas-11-most-endangered

For questions about the relocation of the May Hicks Curtis House, please visit Flagstaff.az.gov/HicksHouse or contact City of Flagstaff Senior Planner Lauren Clementino at lclementino@flagstaffaz.gov or 928-213-2633.

May Hicks Curtis House, Flagstaff (original location)

May Hicks Curtis House, Flagstaff (in preparation for move to new location)