This book celebrates the colorful history of the Verde Valley from its prehistoric settlements to the Arizona State Centennial Celebration in 2012. Located in the heart of Arizona, between the Sonoran Desert and the mountain highlands of the Colorado Plateau, the Verde Valley has been a pleasant refuge for man and beast for thousands of years. In a land known for its lack of water, the Verde River and its tributaries--Clear Creek, Beaver Creek, Oak Creek, and Sycamore Creek--have attracted prehistoric people and American pioneers alike. This book will illustrate the history of the "Verde" from the ruins of the lost civilization to the first Anglo farming efforts along Clear Creek and the military presence at Camp Verde. It will illustrate the settlements at Middle Verde and along Beaver Creek, Rimrock, Oak Creek, Cornville, and Sedona. Finally, it will visit the settlement near the Cottonwoods, the exploitation of the Billion Dollar Copper Camp at Jerome, the smoke-belching furnaces of the smelters, and the elegant architecture of the planned company town of Clarkdale.

In February 1864, a party of 17 men and two women left the security of the territorial capital at Prescott, Arizona, and headed east into the Verde Valley, homeland of the Yavapai and Apache. Drawn by the promise of ample water, rich bottomland, and lush grassland, the party established a farming and ranching community near the confluence of West Clear Creek and the Verde River. In spite of conflict with the Yavapai and Apache, the settlement survived, due in part to the establishment of a military presence late that summer. Over the next 35 years, the settlement at Lower Verde thrived around the army fort, and became known as Camp Verde. In 1891, Fort Verde was abandoned, and the surrounding land opened to homesteading in 1895. The post sold at auction in 1899. Built among the ruins of the ancient Sinagua culture and situated along the banks of the Verde River, Camp Verde remains an agricultural paradise and a haven for those wanting to escape city life.

More than 50 years ago, Dr. Charles Rozaire, an archaeologist from California, began a multi-season excavation project at a small Southern Sinagua cliff dwelling located on artist Paul Dyck's property north of Camp Verde, Arizona. Although a large quantity of incredibly well-preserved materials was recovered, these materials were not analyzed and remained in storage until 2014, when they were donated to the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. After more than five years of analysis, this two-part book is a detailed report on the excavations and the materials recovered. This report has 709 pages of text organized into 14 chapters, with 421 figures and 101 tables. Chapter 1 provides a history of the excavations, profiles of several of the individuals involved, and an outline of Southern Sinagua culture history.Chapter 2 is an edited summary of the original field notes and includes numerous field sketches and photographs taken during the excavations.Chapter 3 is a detailed description of the architecture of the site based on the field notes and on recent visits. Chapter 4 discusses the results of the analysis of the 9,095 sherds and 6 whole or reconstructed vessels recovered.Chapter 5 is a description of the large quantity of well-preserved plant remains.Chapter 6 provides a detailed analysis of the 1,009 faunal remains, including rabbits, deer, beaver, weasel, muskrat, raccoon, various rodents, duck, quail, teal, and other birds.Chapter 7 is a description of the 157 groundstone tools from the site. Chapter 8 reports on a detailed analysis of the 1,709 flaked stone artifacts, including 23 projectile points. Chapter 9 is on ornaments, minerals, and special rocks. Chapter 10 is a lengthy chapter on the amazing textiles, with more than 1,000 pieces of cotton fabrics in a variety of colors recovered from the site.Chapter 11 describes matting, baskets, and sandals found. Chapter 12 discusses a variety of wood, reed, hard-shell squash and gourd artifacts.Chapter 13 presents the analysis of unusual artifacts that may have served special purposes. Chapter 14 provides a summary of many of the artifacts and food remains.

Prior to 1864, the vast lands north of the Gila River in Arizona County, New Mexico Territory, were known only as Tierra Incognita, unknown lands, inhabited by the fierce Tonto Apache and Yavapai people. Gold remained a rumor there until 1863 when two mountain men, each leading separate expeditions, discovered it. One year later, President Abraham Lincoln declared Arizona a territory. Immediately the stampede for gold was underway, creating the inevitable conflict with the Native population. The Indians held the upper hand until the arrival of General George Crook in 1872. Following on the heels of the prospectors, soldiers and government officials were the pioneers, entrepreneurs, outlaws, lawmen and ladies of the night. Each contributed a thread to the vibrant tapestry woven into the territorial history of this fascinating era. "Gold, Greed and Glory" looks deeply into many of their lives, gives them flesh and blood, and carries the reader along on their exploits and glorious adventures.

Cosmos Mindeleff's 'Aboriginal Remains in Verde Valley, Arizona' is a seminal work in the field of archaeology, providing a detailed examination of the indigenous peoples who once inhabited the Verde Valley region. Mindeleff's meticulous research and extensive analysis of archaeological findings offer readers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the area, shedding light on the daily lives, customs, and beliefs of these ancient communities. The book is written in a scholarly yet accessible style, making it a valuable resource for both academics and general readers interested in Native American history and archaeology. Mindeleff's attention to detail and thorough documentation of his findings make this book a definitive study of Aboriginal remains in Verde Valley, Arizona. Cosmos Mindeleff, a respected archaeologist and anthropologist, dedicated his career to studying Native American cultures in the American Southwest. His expertise and passion for the subject shine through in this book, as he brings to life the stories of the indigenous peoples who once called Verde Valley home. Mindeleff's background and experience in the field make him a trusted authority on the topic, adding credibility to his insightful analysis and interpretations. I highly recommend 'Aboriginal Remains in Verde Valley, Arizona' to anyone interested in the history and archaeology of the Southwest. Mindeleff's comprehensive study provides a fascinating look into the prehistoric cultures of the region, offering valuable insights and a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of the area.

The Mesa Verde migrations in the thirteenth century were an integral part of a transformative period that forever changed the course of Pueblo history. For more than seven hundred years, Pueblo people lived in the Northern San Juan region of the U.S. Southwest. Yet by the end of the 1200s, tens of thousands of Pueblo people had left the region. Understanding how it happened and where they went are enduring questions central to Southwestern archaeology. Much of the focus on this topic has been directed at understanding the role of climate change, drought, violence, and population pressure. The role of social factors, particularly religious change and sociopolitical organization, are less well understood. Bringing together multiple lines of evidence, including settlement patterns, pottery exchange networks, and changes in ceremonial and civic architecture, this book takes a historical perspective that naturally forefronts the social factors underlying the depopulation of Mesa Verde. Author Donna M. Glowacki shows how “living and leaving” were experienced across the region and what role differing stressors and enablers had in causing emigration. The author’s analysis explains how different histories and contingencies—which were shaped by deeply rooted eastern and western identities, a broad-reaching Aztec-Chaco ideology, and the McElmo Intensification—converged, prompting everyone to leave the region. This book will be of interest to southwestern specialists and anyone interested in societal collapse, transformation, and resilience.