In 1874 soldiers from Camp Verde were stationed at an adobe house, but at that time there was no name for the present Cottonwood (where the house existed). As settlers moved in and the community developed, it took its name from a circle of sixteen large cottonwoods growing about one-quarter of a miles away from the Verde River.
By 1879, several families had settled there, including the Nichols, Van Deerens, Hawkins, and Strahans. It is a curious fact that each family had nine children. The adobe building formerly used by soldiers became a school house. Today Cottonwood is a thriving community. Cottonwood was founded in 1879. Charles D. Willard settled in the area, bringing with him a mechanic by the name of Neff. As other settlers came in, the area became a farming settlement until World War I. They found a market for their crops, hay and grain in Camp Verde and later in Jerome. Most farm operations included running some cattle.
Cottonwood and the Verde river area was overgrown with native grasses, cacti, mesquite, juniper and rabbit bush, furnishing excellent hunting for rabbits and quail. Between 1915-1917 Cottonwood began building their town. By March of 1917 Cottonwood began booming.
By 1920’s ~ There is not another town in the US that can boost of so many business houses for a population of about 1000. Cottonwood was called the 'Biggest Little Town in Arizona'.
Located in Yavapai County, between Prescott and Sedona, Cottonwood is surrounded by jagged mountains on the south, east and west; to the north by mesas and buttes. Named for the beautiful Cottonwood trees that grow along the Verde River, the town has grown from a small farming community to the Verde Valley's population center.
Cottonwood is located in northern Arizona:
Horizon Air flies into northern Arizona or take an easy drive into Cottonwood.
- 130 miles from Phoenix
- 40 miles from Flagstaff
- 8 miles from Jerome
- 50 miles from Prescott
- 20 miles from Camp Verde
- 16 miles from Sedona
- 2 miles from Clarkdale
- You can even make a day trip to the Grand Canyon from here
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