The Wrigley Mansion sits atop a hill overlooking downtown Phoenix to the southeast and the Biltmore Resort to the northeast.  This photo was taken from the golf course next to the resort.  Gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. completed construction of the home in 1932 just before his death.  Talley Industries, a Mesa electronics firm, purchased the property from the Wrigley family in 1973.  Western Savings acquired the mansion from Talley in 1979 to use as a club for its larger depositors.  Hormel Foods heir Geordie Hormel purchased the property from Western Savings in 1992.   11-03.

Wrigley, William Jr.

(1861.09.30-1932.01.26)  Entrepreneur.

Wintered in Phoenix

Died in Phoenix

In 1928 the founder and advertising genius of the world's largest chewing gum company began construction on a 18,000 square foot home on the outskirts of the small desert town of Phoenix.  The home, dubbed La Colina Solano (sunny hill), was a 50th anniversary present to his wife, intended to be a part-time "winter cottage" where they could enjoy the warm desert winters and entertain wealthy friends and dignitaries.

By the time construction on La Colina Solana was started, Wrigley had become one of the country's richest men.  He began manufacturing soap in 1891 in Chicago with the help of seed money from his uncle.  To help sell the soap, he gave away baking powder with each purchase. When the baking power became popular enough to sell on its own, he switch to giving away a new product--chewing gum.  The gum was so popular that he bought the company that manufactured it in 1911, and dropped the soap and baking powder.

What is now know as Wrigley Mansion was Wrigley's fifth home.  His primary home was in Chicago.  He had a vacation home on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a summer home on Santa Catalina Island, and a home in Pasadena.  The Phoenix home was the most modest of the group.

When construction was finished in 1932, the Wrigleys moved in for a winter stay.  Only a few weeks later, William Wrigley, Jr. died in the north bedroom of his newest home.  He was buried on Santa Catalina Island which he had purchased in 1919.