Chambers, Blanche Riordan, 1896-1985

The Riordan family first established themselves in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1884 when the oldest of three brothers, Denis Matthew ("Matt") Riordan, became general manager of the Ayer Lumber Company (established in 1881 following the demand for railroad ties for the Atlantic-Pacific rail line project). In 1887 Denis ("Matt") Riordan bought the Ayer Lumber Company, which then became the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company, and his brothers Timothy and Michael Riordan helped run the operations. By 1893 Denis ("Matt") Riordan had sold his interests in the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company (AL and T) to his brothers Tim and Mike (as they were called by everyone, including employees) and general manager F.W. Sisson.

Tim and Mike Riordan married two sisters, Elizabeth (to Mike, 1892) and Caroline Metz (to Tim, 1889), and built connected homes which they named Kinlichi, Navajo for "red house." The Metz sisters were daughters of a wealthy merchant family from Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Riordans became civic leaders in Flagstaff establishing such institutions as the first electric company, the first library, literary clubs, and the Lake Mary Reservoir (named after Tim's daughter). In 1933, the Riordans sold their interests in the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company to Joseph Dolan. Tim Riordan continued to serve on the company board of directors until his death in Los Angles, California, 1946. Michael Riordan died following surgery in Minnesota, 1930. Blanche Riordan Chambers, daughter of Michael Riordan, was the last member of the Riordan family to live at Kinlichi (Riordan Mansion). She died in 1985, leaving the mansion to the Arizona State Park system.

From the guide to the Riordan Family Collection (formerly the Blanche Riordan Chambers Collection), 1883-1931, (Arizona Historical Society/Flagstaff Archives)