The historic North Central neighborhood is a verdant green oasis at the heart of our desert city. It is an area known for its equestrian history, the Murphy Bridle Path, large irrigated lots, historic homes and consistently excelling schools. The neighborhood is within the award winning Madison School District and near Brophy College Preparatory, Xavier College Preparatory and Central High School. The streetscape of tree-lined Central Avenue and the Murphy Bridle Path are listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. The olive trees lining Central Avenue are more than one-hundred-years old.

Stewardship of this neighborhood extends back to valley developer William J. Murphy in the late 1800s. Mr. Murphy established this area, Orangewood, planted trees and extended irrigation. Today you can still see the old Murphy home west of Central Avenue on Orangewood.

The area was later championed by the Horse Lovers Club. The club is responsible for our neighborhood landmark, the gateway with iron horse head and horseshoe located at Bethany Home Road and Central Avenue.

For more than thirty years the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association has guarded North Central from commercial, and residentially inappropriate, encroachment. It is the mission of the NCPHA to maintain and enhance the residential neighborhood. The NCPHA supports the growth and development which is part of a vigorous economy and growing city, as long as it is responsibly guided within appropriately zoned areas. It is our goal to ensure that the beauty, charm and history of the neighborhood is preserved.