About Cottonwood
Cottonwood is located near the geographic center of Arizona near Interstate 17 on Highways 89A and 260. It is the largest Verde Valley city of Yavapai Countyl Arizona. It is near Clarkdale and Camp Verde. The beautiful Verde River runs through Cottonwood, and the town is near the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon area. The city thrives on tourism, retirement facilities, ranching, and farming. Cottonwood is a retail and service center located about 50 miles south of Flagstaff. Hundreds of thousands of tourists are attracted by nearby national forests, state, parks, national monuments, and wilderness areas.In 1874, soldiers from Camp Verde were stationed in an adobe house on the site of the present day Cottonwood, 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. The place was unhealthful. Malaria and dysentry were severe problems as mosquitos rose in thick clouds from stagnant pools left by receding floods. 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 and after that, it began booming. At one time, Cottonwood was known to have the best bootlegging booze within hundreds of miles, attracting citizens from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and people from nearby areas. Nevertheless, by 1879, several families had settled there, including the Nichols, Hawkins, Van Deerens, and Strahans. It's an interesting fact that each family had nine children. The adobe building formerly used by soldiers had became a school house. 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.Today, Cottonwood, Arizona is the place to go if you’re looking for something different. Located in Yavapai County, between Prescott and Sedona, Cottonwood is surrounded by jagged mountains on the south, east and west, and 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.The small town of Cottonwood is a quiet community with convenient shopping, hotels, and restaurants, and a picturesque Historic Old Town, complete with high sidewalks and false fronted buildings that lend to the old west atmosphere. Situated in the center of the Verde Valley, Cottonwood is the ideal spot to stay while visiting other area attractions. You will find so much to do in this part of central Arizona, such as visiting ancient Indian ruins, historic parks and landmarks and ghost towns.