Today, I drove an hour north to check out the Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde, AZ. Sinagua farmers built a five-story, 20 room dwelling sometime between 1100 and 1300. It occupies a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley floor. Ladders were used to reach each of the levels. Water, shelter, building materials, and arable land made the Verde Valley an ideal place to live. There were many other such dwellings, but they have deteriorated over the years. In 1906, the dwellings and surrounding area were declared a U.S. National Monument as a result of the American Antiquities Act.
My next stop was Fort Verde State Historic Park. My first stop was at the visitor center to see exhibits, military life artifacts, and Indian scout history. Then outside to visit three historic homes along officers row. Each house (commanding officer's quarters, bachelor officer's quarters, doctor's quarters) are furnished in the 1880's period.
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| Montezuma Castle |
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| whats left of another dwelling |
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| Arizona Sycamore |
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| diorama of Montezuma Castle |
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| Fort Verde officers row |
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| My sister, Mary ID this as a desert hyacinth |
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| Interesting way to transport |
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