Brief history
During the Pre-Columbian era, the area was occupied by Sinagua people who built their dwellings in the cliffs of the Verde Valley Mountains between 1100 and 1425 CE. In 1583, Captain Antonio de Espejo and the Spanish conquistadors took possession of the Verde Valley. [1]
In the 1860s settlers began to migrate into the Verde Valley to work in the mining industry. The United States Army established a minor post overlooking the farms which the settlers established in West Clear Water. A post called Camp Lincoln, which later was renamed Camp Verde, was established . In 1871, General George Crook established a military supply trail which connected Forts Whipple, Verde and Apache. There is marker to this effect located by the administration building in Camp Verde. In 1878, the camp became known as Fort Verde and remained occupied by the military until 1891. [2]
In 1956, members of the community established a museum in the abandoned administration building of the fort. They restored some of the historic fort buildings and requested the establishment of a Historic State Park. The Arizona State Parks governmental agency protects and preserves said parks. [3] The site was officially designated a Historic State Park in 1970.
In 1971, the Camp Verde Historical Society was founded. It is located at 435 South Main Street. The main objective of the society is to restore, preserve, reconstruct, and administer buildings and sites of historical significance in the Camp Verde area. The society also houses archival materials going back to the 1860s and maintains a research library. [4] The town of Camp Verde was formally incorporated in 1986. [1]
Camp Verde, however, does not have the authority to deny a demolition permit. Therefore, the owner of a property, listed either in the National Register of Historic Places or considered historical by the Camp Verde Historical Society, may demolish the historical property in question if they so desires. According to Jim McPherson, Arizona Preservation Foundation Board President: "It is crucial that residents, private interests, and government officials act now to save these elements of our cultural heritage before it is too late.” [5]
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