Beet Sugar Factory (Glendale, AZ)
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Beet Sugar Factory
| nrhp_type =
| image = G-Sugar Beet.jpg
| alt = Beet Sugar Factory in Glendale, Arizona
| caption =
| locmapin = Arizona#USA
| map_label =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{Coord|33|32|15|N|112|10|16|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = 5243 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, Arizona
| built = 1906-1910
| architect =
| architecture =
| added = January 30, 1978
| designated_nrhp_type =
| refnum = 78000548
}}
The Beet Sugar Factory was built between 1903 and 1906 to produce the sugar beets being grown in the Glendale area around the time.{{Cite news |date=1903-10-15 |title=Glendale is Already Entertaining a Boom |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-glendale-is-already/161780321/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |work=The Arizona Republic |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}} The area's soil was considered prime for agriculture and federal reports stated that sugar beets would be a good crop to grow in the area. The building closed in 1986, and has not re-opened since despite attempts.
History
The building opened as a beet sugar factory in 1906 started by Glendale, Arizona founder William J. Murphy. The factory ran into a number of issues throughout its run, from needing to change water sources to wash beets, the amount of water necessary to grow sugar beets, low amounts of sugar being produced from the beets, and insect infestations in the beet crops.[https://open.spotify.com/episode/0QaPA6VtItqqfKl6TuTpGJ?si=vpnQaG6IRzKaP_-LHWFK0Q Valley 101]. (2021). The Arizona Republic.
It has also been used as a beer-distribution center, storage facility, Squirt soda plant and soy-sauce operation.{{Cite web |last=Leavitt |first=Parker |title=Readers' picks: Worst West Valley eyesores |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2016/02/16/readers-picks-worst-west-valley-eyesores/78325058/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} The doors closed for good in 1986. Plans to restore the factory have been discussed, immediately following its closure, many wanted it to become a civic center{{Cite news |last=Somers |first=Paula S. |date=1986-10-20 |title=Factory promoted as civic-center site |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-factory-promoted-as/161780366/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |work=The Arizona Republic |page=E1 |via=Newspapers.com}} like Forward Brands spirits in 2011.{{Cite web |last=STAFFORD |first=KATHRYN |date=2011-08-03 |title=Sugar beet heart beats again |url=https://www.glendalestar.com/news/sugar-beet-heart-beats-again/article_ded983e4-bd2b-11e0-8e02-001cc4c03286.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=The Glendale Star |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Phoenix area's most endangered historic buildings |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/05/13/phoenix-areas-most-endangered-historic-buildings/84186862/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}
Legacy
Despite often being seen as an “eyesore,” many locals still regard the building for its historical significance to the city. Plans to renovate and reopen the factory in some capacity are still floated.{{Cite web |title=Historic Glendale properties you need to see |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2016/06/20/historic-glendale-properties-you-need-see/85951360/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}
File:Glendale Trader Joe's Mural.jpg
The Glendale, Arizona Trader Joe’s location has a mural featuring the factory along with several other Glendale icons.