Home/Phoenix homes for sale/North Central Avenue Streetscape (Murphy Bridle Path)
Historic district · Phoenix, Arizona
Homes near the Murphy Bridle Path in Phoenix
Homes that front this stretch of Central are among the most prestigious in central Phoenix: large lots, mature citrus and lawns, and a mix of historic ranch and estate homes with newer custom builds.
The Murphy Bridle Path at a glance
Homes that front this stretch of Central are among the most prestigious in central Phoenix: large lots, mature citrus and lawns, and a mix of historic ranch and estate homes with newer custom builds. The housing itself belongs to the North Central area (packet F1), not to this streetscape district. Maricopa County records show about 5,070 homes within about half a mile of the Murphy Bridle Path.
Official boundary, from the City of Phoenix historic district map.
Where the Murphy Bridle Path is
The boundary on county street centerlines.
The Central Avenue right of way, with its unpaved bridle path, from Bethany Home Rd north to the Arizona Canal. Best drawn as a line or very thin polygon.
Official boundary, from the City of Phoenix historic district map.
Search homes near the Murphy Bridle Path
Updated continuously from the MLS. Filter, save, and tour any home.
Homes near the Murphy Bridle Path
Within about half a mile, from county records.
Source: Maricopa County Assessor residential parcel records, pulled November 3, 2026. These are county figures for every home, not MLS statistics, and recorded sale prices come from deed records.
The story of the Murphy Bridle Path
How the area came to be.
William J. Murphy, one of the builders of the Arizona Canal (completed 1885), started citrus groves along the northern extension of Central Avenue in 1895, and the road cut through his Orangewood subdivision. The sign at Central and Bethany Home says the path was made possible by Murphy in 1895 and that the marker was erected in 1948 by the Arizona Horse Lovers Club in his memory, which is the earliest reference the city's preservation office found.
Central Avenue was first paved in 1920. The streetscape was listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register in July 2004 and on the National Register in 2005, with 1895, 1910 and 1948 cited as significant years.
Homes around the Murphy Bridle Path
Eras, styles, lots and home types.
Homes that front this stretch of Central are among the most prestigious in central Phoenix: large lots, mature citrus and lawns, and a mix of historic ranch and estate homes with newer custom builds. The housing itself belongs to the North Central area (packet F1), not to this streetscape district.
- When homes were built
- 1920s to present along the corridor
- Home styles
- Ranch, Period Revival, custom contemporary
- Lots
- Large lots by central Phoenix standards, many half acre plus
- Home types
- Custom single family estates
- HOAs and gates
- Mostly no HOA, no gates on Central itself
- School districts (county records)
- Madison Elementary School District (60%), Washington Elementary School District (40%). High school: Phoenix Union High School District (60%), Glendale Union High School District (40%)
Living in and around the Murphy Bridle Path
What is inside, what is close, and what to check.
Inside the Murphy Bridle Path: A wide unpaved walking, running and horse path on the east side of Central, heavily used by walkers and joggers.
Nearby: Uptown Farmers Market at Central and Bethany Home (North Phoenix Baptist Church lot), Uptown Plaza and the Camelback Rd restaurant cluster to the south, the Arizona Canal trail at the north end.
Before you buy
The historic designation covers the right of way, so it mainly protects the streetscape (trees, path, character). Individual homes along it are not automatically in an HP district. SRP flood irrigation is common along North Central. Address specific.
Related areas and communities
Keep exploring the Northeast Valley.
The Murphy Bridle Path questions, answered
Where is the Murphy Bridle Path?
It runs along the east side of Central Avenue starting at Bethany Home Road and heading north toward the Arizona Canal in north central Phoenix.
Is it a neighborhood?
No. It is a historic streetscape and trail. The surrounding neighborhood is usually called North Central Phoenix.
Who was Murphy?
William J. Murphy, a canal builder and Glendale founder who planted citrus along North Central Avenue in 1895. The path's marker dates to 1948.
What are the exact boundaries of the Murphy Bridle Path?
The Central Avenue right of way, with its unpaved bridle path, from Bethany Home Rd north to the Arizona Canal. Best drawn as a line or very thin polygon.
How many homes are near the Murphy Bridle Path?
Maricopa County Assessor records show about 5,070 homes within about half a mile of the Murphy Bridle Path, 76% of them single-family, with a median year built of 1964.
Which school districts serve the Murphy Bridle Path?
By county parcel records, homes near the Murphy Bridle Path are mostly in Madison Elementary School District and Washington Elementary School District. School assignment is address specific, so confirm with the district before you buy.
How does the home search on this page work?
The search shows homes listed in the MLS within about half a mile of the Murphy Bridle Path, using an outline drawn around it. Official boundary, from the City of Phoenix historic district map. Listings update continuously. Housing figures on this page come from Maricopa County Assessor records pulled on November 3, 2026, not from the MLS.
Thinking about the Murphy Bridle Path?
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Sources
- Maricopa County Assessor parcel records (residential parcels inside the search area), pulled November 3, 2026. Recorded sale figures use each parcel's most recent recorded sale since November 1, 2024, at $50,000 or more.
- Street centerlines on the map: Maricopa County GIS. Listings: ARMLS via Flexmls.
- City of Phoenix Historic Property Register (Oct 2026 edition), accessed November 3, 2026.
- City of Phoenix GIS, Historic Properties layer, accessed November 3, 2026.
- NPGallery, North Central Avenue Streetscape HD (NRIS 05001346), accessed November 3, 2026.
- Wikipedia, William John Murphy, accessed November 3, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Central Avenue Corridor, accessed November 3, 2026.
- KJZZ, Central PHX: Bethany Home Road to Northern Avenue (2015), accessed November 3, 2026.
- Axios Phoenix, Murphy's Bridle Path (2024), accessed November 3, 2026.
All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Listing information is provided by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Area boundaries on this page are for orientation only and do not follow school, HOA or service boundaries, so confirm the city, zoning, HOA, water service and assigned schools for a specific address. Housing figures come from Maricopa County Assessor records and are not MLS statistics. This page is for general information only and is not financial, lending, legal, or tax advice. Arizona Luxury Partners | Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Fine Properties, 21020 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Office 480.766.1515. Brokerage License LC629808000. Equal Housing Opportunity.
