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Cottonwood
is a retail and services center located about 50 miles south of Flagstaff in the
picturesque Verde Valley. In 1874, soldiers form Camp Verde were stationed at an adobe
house where  Cottonwood
stands today. Settlers began moving in, developing a community that took its name from a
circle of 16 cottonwood trees near the Verde River. The community was established in 1879
and incorporated in 1960.In Yavapai County, Cottonwood is near the geographic center of Arizona at an elevation of 3,300 feet. The city is about 101 miles north of Phoenix. Due to its location in the center of Verde Valley, Cottonwood continues to thrive. Principal Economic Activities
The travel and tourism industry is also a significant factor in Cottonwood’s economic profile. Nearby national forests, state parks, national monuments and wilderness areas attract hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Many visit Cottonwood because of its proximity to these attractions. Scenic Attractions The Verde River flows through Cottonwood supporting one of the state’s best riparian habitats. Riverfront Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park provide access to the Verde River Greenway. The Old Town area, a popular collection of arts and crafts shops, is located on historic Main Street. In the immediate vicinity are many diverse attractions. Tuzigoot National Monument, a 550-year-old Sinaguan Indian ruin, and Montezuma Castle National Monument, an 11th century cliff dwelling, provide insight into the area’s pre-Columbian past. Jerome is a historic mining town. The Verde Canyon Wilderness has become a popular excursion. Natural attractions abound with the red rocks of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon to the north. The 7,700-foot Mingus Mountain, just west of the city in the Prescott National Forest, is a world-class mecca for hang gliding enthusiasts has launches as a regular occurrence on weekends.
Cottonwood is near Interstate 17 on state Highways 89A and 260. From Phoenix, drive north to exit 287, then northwest on state Highway 260. From Flagstaff, drive south through the magnificent Oak Creek Canyon on state Highway 89A. Highway 89A continues through Cottonwood to Jerome and over Mingus Mountain to Prescott as a designated scenic route. |
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Cottonwood serves as
the trading center for the Verde Valley, with a wide variety of retail establishments,
professional services and manufacturing concerns. Marcus J. Lawrence Hospital is one of
the finest diagnostic and treatment centers in Northern Arizona. Other major employers
include Kachina Communications, Griffith Enterprises, Phelps Truss Co., Tacstar Industries
and Phoenix Cement Company in nearby Clarkdale.
Accommodations of all types are available in the
city-motels, RV parks and camping at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.