Cottonwood, the biggest little town in Arizona
April 16, 2010
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In 1874, cavalry soldiers, who were defending the area against Yavapais, were once stationed at an adobe house near a grove of large cottonwood trees along the Verde River. After every rain, stagnant pools of water collected on the riverbank, attracting swarms of mosquitoes. Malaria and dysentery were health threats in those days, and the nearest medical facility was situated at Camp Verde. However, despite the hardships, several large families, including the Nichols, Van Deerens, Hawkins, and Strahans, took up residence in these stands of cottonwoods, and by 1879, Cottonwood became a settlement and got its name.
According to "Arizona Place Names," Cottonwood was established west of the Verde River, and below Clarkdale, on July 8, 1895. George W. Willard served as its first Postmaster.
Farming and cattle-ranching prevailed until World War I, when nearby Jerome grew due to a rise in copper prices during the War, and Cottonwood residents had a market for their crops and cattle. Businesses boomed.
By 1920, four general mercantiles, five dry goods, three restaurants and hotels, seven pool halls, two blacksmiths, two garages, two shoe stores, a barbershop, an amusement hall, a movie picture house, a drug store, a confectionery, a bakery, a service station, an ice plant, a lumber yard, a jewelry store, a root beer stand, a butcher shop, a furniture store, a novelty store, an ice cream parlor, and plenty of back rooms sold high-quality hooch! Bootlegging was big business!
Modern day Cottonwood
Today, Cottonwood is located in the Verde Valley of Yavapai County, approximately 90 miles north of Central Phoenix, and is easily accessible via Interstate 17. Turn West on Route 260. It is now known as a prominent retirement community and tourist town. Beautiful custom homes adorn the hillsides, and the folks are friendly sorts. Around 12,000 call Cottonwood home, and the 3,314-foot elevation boasts a mild year-round climate.
Side trips on the road to Cottonwood
There are several stopovers a traveler can take from Interstate 17 enroute to Cottonwood, including Rock Springs with its famous pies, Bumble Bee, Crown King, the art colony of Arcosanti, and Route 169 to old Arizona towns ofPrescott, Chino Valley and Ash Fork. All these places have bits of Arizona history to explore.
Places to visit in the Cottonwood vicinity
Attractions close to Cottonwood include: The Verde River Greenway, Montezuma Castle National Monument,Tuzigoot National Monument, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Sedona, Jerome and Clarkdale.
Your writer has eaten at La Fonda Mexican Food Restaurant in Camp Verde, and Su Casa Mexican Food Restaurant in Clarkdale, and, would highly recommend either spot for delicious cuisine.
Visit the Cottonwood Visitor Center, the former old jail building, for additional information.
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