Manicured lawns, the tree-lined Murphy Bridle path, sprawling ranch houses…this can’t be Central Phoenix, can it? Central Avenue north of Missouri Avenue quickly turns suburban, not far from the hum of the light rail, restaurants and retail just a few blocks to the south.

Though this area doesn’t house any classified historic districts, the homes certainly aren’t lacking in charm. Architectural styles take a decidedly mid-century turn here, with ranch and California influences. Even today, some of Phoenix’s wealthiest real estate is found North Central. These neighborhoods didn’t even exist during the creation of Phoenix’s original “suburbs” (which are now part of the true urban core), but they sprang up in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s as people wanted more land and privacy (and places to ride their horses!), but wanted to remain in close proximity to Downtown Phoenix.