Fackler Square - The main hub on historic Mill Avenue.

Adjacent to Mill Ave is architecture that would surprise the early pioneers. First there is the 700 acre  Arizona State University. The campus has striking modern architecture that rises from a setting of palm trees and subtropical plants.

Then there is the glass and steel City Hall. It is the "original upside down pyramid" and is one on Arizona's landmark buildings. Its unique shape was designed to conserve energy and provide shade. In the lobby there is an excellent exhibit on the Tempe Pool and Bath Houses that opened in the 1930's. You can learn a bit more here.

To our amazement the eclectic architectural mix continued with a Mosque and a Middle Eastern grocery store and restaurant.

On the other side of Mill Avenue is the Old Town Square a collection of five Territorial-era houses that were dismantled and rebuilt to house business in 1992. Three of the houses are unique since they were built of rusticated concrete blocks, made to resemble real stone blocks.

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