The History of the Grand Canyon

When natural beauty is discussed, there are a few places that always come up. Aurora Borealis for example is a well-known phenomenon; the Alps are an amazing landscape. But few places are as well-known or well-loved as the Grand Canyon. The 270 mile long natural wonder is Arizona’s most popular tourist destination. But the history of the Grand Canyon began long before the area became a National Park in 1919.

The Grand Canyon was home to many different Native American tribes before Europeans discovered it. Ancestral Pueblo peoples were among the first in the area, followed by the Paiute, Cerbat, and the Navajo. These tribes were all eventually forced out of the area by the American Government.

One of the best known stories about the early history of the Grand Canyon is Powell’s 1869 Expedition down the Colorado River. John Wesley Powell was a captain in the civil war and he led a scientific expedition to chart parts of the west, namely the river. The trip involved capsizes, food rationing, and extensive portaging. Three members of the trip went missing as well, becoming one of the greatest unsolved mystery of the area. Their disappearances were first blamed on local Native American tribes; it is now considered most likely that they were killed by nearby Mormon settlers. The Grand Canyon has also been the location of some great breakthroughs in geology and our understanding of the natural world. Because the canyon is a mile deep in some areas, layers of the earth previously unseen were exposed for scientist to explore.

The first settlers came to the area in the 1880’s, which is around when the area became known as a tourist destination. The trip to the rim used to be a grueling adventure from Flagstaff, most often by stagecoach. Tourism slowly increased until the Santa Fe Railroad finished the Grand Canyon Railway in 1901. This became the most common way to reach the canyon for many years. However, with the increased popularity and affordability of automobiles by 1930, the train began to be used less frequently. The route was finally canceled in 1968; just three passengers were on the final run. Hotels have been in the in the canyon since the area could support them. Bright Angel Lodge is currently the most popular hotel on the canyon rim.

 The canyon was first considered a Forest Reserve in 1893 and later a National Monument. The Grand Canyon did not achieve official National Park status until 1919. The visitor center in the National Park is full of facts and information on the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area.

The History of Sedona

There are many amazing places to see in Northern Arizona, but the two most famous ones are the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Both places are filled with stunning scenery, and also a rich history. Sedona is known for its grand views and mystical connections and has been for many years. Originally, it was an incredibly rural ranching community known mostly for its natural beauty. Once that beauty became known throughout the motion picture industry, Sedona’s popularity skyrocketed. But Sedona’s history is much older than when the city of Sedona was officially incorporated in 1988.

Native Americans had been living in the area since the year 900, building pueblos and farming. Evidence of many different tribes has been found in the area, including the Sinagua, Yavapai, and Apache peoples. However, this idyllic canyon was not spared the tragic sweeping invasion of Europeans. The very first Europeans arrived in 1583 in search of gold. By 1875, the soldiers of Fort Verde, now Camp Verde, captured the last group of Tonto Apache Native Americans in the area, the others either fled or also captured.

The story of Sedona as we known it actually begins in Oak Creek Canyon. The very first white settler there was a man named J.J. Thompson, who claimed land under the 1862 Homestead Act. In 1876, Thompson took squatters rights to a parcel of land across from today’s Indian Gardens Store. Once Tompson explored his land, he found a deserted Native American garden and a healthy spring, which encouraged him to build there. Originally called Indian Gardens Ranch, the name was later shortened to Indian Gardens. After Thompson homesteaded in the canyon, more settlers followed. The Abraham family became the first residents of this small community, taking land just south of J.J. Thompson’s property. The small family of three, husband, wife, and child arrived in 1879. James Abraham is credited with naming many of Sedona’s most well-known geographical features. According to old records, he named Bell Rock, Steamboat Rock, Court Rock and Church Rock. It wasn’t until years later that Court Rock and Church Rock became Courthouse Rock and Cathedral Rock. With an increased population and therefore more manpower, the settlers were able to create irrigation to plant crops and orchards. The irrigation system used by these settlers is credited to Frank Pendley. Pendley’s engineering skills made him so successful that his produce was sold at markets all the way in Los Angeles. His irrigation system still stands today at Slide Rock State Park.

In late 1901, T.C. Schnebly and his wife Sedona built a large home near modern day Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. Not long after they arrived, residents of the small settlement began complaining to the Schneblys about poor mail service. Upon hearing this, T.C filed an application for the establishment of a post office in his home. The need for a post office was undeniable; the naming of the place proved to be challenging. T.C. reportedly suggested calling the post office Schnebly Station, then Red Rock Crossing and even Oak Creek Station.

These names were apparently not accepted by the government because they were too long. The story goes that T.C’s brother, Dorsey Ellsworth, suggested submitting the name of T.C’s wife. Postal officials approved the name Sedona, and on June 26, 1902, the post office was established in the back of the Schnebly home.

Many of these historical sites are still standing today and can be visited. There are too many sights to possibly see in a day; an entire weekend can easily be spent adventuring in Old Sedona.