Tovrea Castle is a well-recognized historic landmark in the City of Phoenix.
Built in the late 1920's, it has continued to stand as the city has developed around it. The layer-cake structure and surrounding Carraro Cactus Garden were originally built by an Italian immigrant, whose family inhabited the building until 1969.
Recognizing the historic value of the property, the City of Phoenix purchased Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden in 1993, and has recently prioritized its restoration. As part of a joint-effort with other cacti specialists and City of Phoenix staff,
Native Resources International has proudly been a key player in restoring the Garden.
In the summer of 2005, NRI prepared a number of cacti cuttings as part of the first phase of the restoration process.
Over 80 individual cuttings were salvaged from Organ Pipe cacti that were threatened by the renovation of the building. NRI staff maintained the cuttings for over a year until they developed roots and their survival was assured. As remnants of the original garden, the organ pipe cuttings were then replanted, serving a historical link between the old and new Carraro Cactus Garden.
As part of our continued efforts to restore the Carraro Cactus Garden, in October of 2007, NRI relocated several large Saguaro cacti that were in danger due to the restoration process. Our crews carefully attached the saguaros to a crane, which was skillfully maneuvered to move the plants out of harm’s way.
Once safely on the ground, the saguaros were replanted by expert NRI staff using specialized equipment.
Tovrea Castle Restoration Picture Gallery
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Tovrea Castle Restoration
