May Hicks Curtis House Named to the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List for 2025
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included the May Hicks Curtis House on its 2025 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, recognizing the home’s cultural significance and the urgent need to protect it from demolition.
“In 1911, May Hicks sewed Arizona’s first state flag, answering her territory’s call just as Betsy Ross had answered America’s,” said Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. “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.
Photo Credit: Josh Edwards
Often called the “Betsy Ross” of Arizona, May Hicks Curtis sewed the first Arizona state flag in 1911, answering her territory’s call to create a unifying symbol just one year before statehood. Her 1913 home in Flagstaff is the property most closely linked to her life. Located near the original Route 66 corridor, it stood beside two boarding houses that May and her mother operated. These homes likely hosted early travelers on the highway. May lived in the house for decades and devoted her life to civic engagement, the Arizona Historical Society, and the Flagstaff Women’s Club. She also co-created the largest known collection of pre-WWII photographs of Flagstaff with her first husband, Frank Curtis.
Secretary Fontes’ personal involvement with the preservation spans back to 2021, where he learned about the Hicks Home during an Arizona Historic Preservation Conference in Flagstaff. He was recruited to help save the house, slated for demolition. While he had recognized the Arizona state flag that May Hicks had sewn as it survives in the collection of the Arizona Capitol Museum, he was not yet familiar with the story of May Hicks.
After learning of the life and legacy of this pioneering woman, Secretary Fontes toured the Hicks House with other preservation advocates, and discussed how he could support their cause. By coincidence, the Flagstaff City Council was meeting later that evening. Fontes spoke publicly in support of the project to receptive council members. Since, the Office of the Secretary of State has worked alongside local leaders to elevate public awareness of May Hicks’s contributions and the community-driven effort to preserve her home.
As part of Arizona’s America250 celebration, the Secretary of State’s Office is honoring people and places that helped shape Arizona’s contribution to the American story. One such place is the Mystery Castle, which is also on the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list, and at risk due to neglect and underutilization.
The May Hicks Curtis House demonstrates that mission, and its preservation gives the public a chance to engage in understanding the values, sacrifice, and imagination that built Arizona. The story of May Hicks Curtis is one of many American stories.
The home is currently at risk due to private development. Relocating the structure is the only way to avoid demolition. The City of Flagstaff has acquired the property and is moving it to a temporary location while seeking public and private funding for a permanent site and full restoration. Plans may include municipal use for public interpretation of May Hicks Curtis’ legacy.
To learn more about the 2025 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list, visit:
https://savingplaces.org/11most
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 (928) 213-2633 or [email protected]