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.
