History of St. Michael's Episcopal Church and Vah Ki Inn
The Vah Ki Inn was originally built by Walter Smith, who was owner, engineer, architect and builder. Constructed during a period from 1929 through 1940, the Inn was built at the suggestion of Frank Pinkley, Custodian and later Superintendent of the Casa Grande Ruins in the 1920's and 1930's. He saw the need for an eating establishment and guest rooms for tourists coming to view the Ruins. Originally it was used as a tea room, inn and guest lodge. In 1935, as business and facilities increased it became a guest ranch with swimming, horseback riding, tours to nearby attractions, tennis, fishing, hunting and golf. Tourists and well-known personalities came from all over the country to stay at the Inn. Gourmet Duncan Hines listed the Inn in his list of best places to eat in the United States.
There are three separate original buildings which are still standing. They are of Sonoran Traditional architecture. The first building, started in 1929 soon after the Town of Coolidge was founded, consisted of a kitchen, bedroom, dining room and bath. It was built of adobe blocks made on site from soil dug on the property. It was fashioned after an ancient Mexican Hacienda which Mr. Smith had seen near Amado. In Harte Hall and the Tower House, saguaro ribs, cottonwood vigas, straw and mud were used in the roof construction, similar to buildings at the Casa Grande Ruins. The Tower House, which now holds the Chapel, Upper Room and Columbarium, was originally used to supply water from a well on the property. In 1935 the in-line structure on the west side of the complex was built using the Pisé rammed earth method. It contained 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and was used for guest rooms.
In 1957 the Inn became the property of the Episcopal Church and for many years was used as a place for retreats, workshops and meetings by Episcopalians from Arizona and throughout the West. In 1971 Vah Ki became the parish home of the congregation of St. Michael's. The Narthex and Sanctuary were added in 1980 and the kitchen and dining room were completed. It serves as a place for worship, church social events, and community and Diocesan meetings. In 2001, the in-line house was remodeled to accommodate the St. Michael's Episcopal Preschool.
"Vah Ki in Pima means "Place where our elders dwelt".
Walter & Theodora Smith came to Arizona from Massachusetts and Connecticut and were deeply impressed by the native Indian culture and architecture. Mr. Smith was a graduate of ‘Yale in Engineering and later of the University of Arizona as a lawyer. Mrs. Smith was a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Wellesley.
