Welcome to Woodlea Melrose Neighborhood

In 1928, Thomas Mackenzie purchased 47 acres of lettuce fields north of downtown Phoenix for $20,000.  He subdivided the property into 190 lots and named the subdivision “Woodlea” for the many trees on the property.  Mackenzie partnered with the Lister Realty Company, which held a grand opening for the subdivision on March 17, 1929.  Lots sold at a record pace and several homes were completed within the first year.  

Woodlea featured paved streets, electricity, close proximity to a church and school, and “no city taxes.”  It was best known, however, for its pure/soft water which was said to be far superior to any water available in the city.  The water was pumped from a depth of 347 feet and everyone who came to see the subdivision was invited to sample the water.  Lister’s newspaper ads even encouraged people to “bring a canteen” so they could take some Woodlea water home with them!

Some homes in Woodlea were commissioned to be built between 1930 and 1939, but after the onset of WWII, building came to a halt in Phoenix and many of the lots sat vacant.  After the war ended, home building boomed in Phoenix and the Melrose District, in particular.  Some owners hired independent builders to construct their homes, but there were also a few builders who made investments in several lots each.  One of these contractors, Andy Womack, built eight houses and would go on to become a major figure in the Phoenix area, including development of the adjacent subdivision, Melrose Manor.

Womack Construction Company broke ground on the 174-house subdivision “Melrose Manor” on May 5, 1947.  All the homes featured 2 to 3 bedrooms, a garage, and were advertised to be close to shopping and public transportation.  Within the next few years many of the businesses along 7th Ave were also built, and the Melrose District that we know and love today really began to take shape.  Most notably was the Melrose Shopping Center in 1948 (also built by Womack).  The center’s main store, A.J. Bayless Markets, was advertised to feature “the very latest scientific development in open air refrigeration!”

By 1955, Melrose Manor was complete and Woodlea subdivision was almost entirely built out; only eight houses were built thereafter.

During the late 1980s the two neighborhoods decided to join together; with the City’s approval, “Woodlea” and “Melrose Manor” officially became known as Woodlea Melrose in 1988.

In June 2011, Woodlea was awarded designation as a Historic District along with 11 other Phoenix neighborhoods.

Historical information courtesy of: 

Arizona Republic and City of Phoenix Preservation Office