Welcome to Sedona
Home of the "Ancient Ones"
Every year, 5 million visitors are awestruck by the otherworldly red
rock 
landscapes in and around Sedona. The area truly needs
to be experienced to be appreciated. The sculptured red rocks take many,
varied and magnificent shapes - a result of 350 million years of tireless
erosion. Sedona has been inundated many times by shalow inland seas as
they encroach and recede again and again while depositing the layers of
sand that now make up Sedona's famous "Red Rocks". The Mogollon
Rim (pronounced muggy-on) that surrounds Sedona is an awesome geologic
uplift towering almost 3000 feet above Sedona's 4500 foot elevation. This
uplift is what gives the area such dramatic rock formations- canyons, butes
and spires carved into the northern plateau over eons of time. The Mogollon
Rim is home to the largest ponderose pine forest in the world. These pines
share a varied landscape with piñon, juniper and mesquite trees
as well as manzanita, prickly pear cactus and agave plants.
To ancient Indian tribes, the red rock valley of Sedona was sacred land
only to be used for special rites and ceremonies. Long ago, they establised
the locations of focused power, the vortecies. A vortex is a giant magnet
of energy - positively and negatively charged - where the energetic lay
lines of the earth's field converge. These ancient powers are still visited
today. These concentrations of the earth's power have inspired many a visitor's
super spiritual Sedona experience . They include Boynton Canyon, Bell Rock,
Cathedral Rock, and Airport Mesa.
Located - About 2 hours drive from the Phoenix
airport.
About 2 hours drive south from the Grand Canyon.
History - Around 8,000 B.C., it is thought that the Paleo Indians
came to the Sedona area via a natural land bridge connecting Ancient Asia
and North America. By 700 A.D, The Hohokam arrived and introduced irrigation
and farming.
About 1100 A.D. - The Sinaguans joined the Anasazi in the area.
They taught them to build sophisticated multi-storied 
buildings. Many
of these ruins can be seen today.
Late 1300 A.D. - Unexplainably these people disappeared suddenly.
Remnants of their corn cobs showed they were still roasting on their fires!
Near 1583 A.D. - The Spanish start exploration of the area looking
for silver and gold.
Early 1800 A.D. - Pioneers, trappers, and prospectors started
to arrive. They 
began to lay false claim to traditional
hunting grounds. The Indian people hotly contested this invasion, yet they
were doomed to fail at protecting thier lands and preserving their ways
of life. The U.S. Army viewed them as savages needing to be subdued or
killed. General Crook was given the final assignment to crush the Apache
rebellion in which the brave deeds of Geronimo were made forever infamous.
Nevertheless, a permanent Military outpost was erected called Camp Lincoln
in 1865. It was from this post that the army succeded in flushing out the
last of the area's rightful inhabitants. Camp Lincoln was renamed Camp
Verde and the General Crook Memorial Trail is still a painful remainder
of the infamous "March of Tears, where the tribes were forced to march
south to the San Carlos Reservation. Many died during the journey.
1876 - First cabin is built in Oak Creek Canyon.
1901 - Mr. and Mrs.Theodore Schnebly settle the area and name
the first post office station Sedona- after theodore Schnebly's wife.
Of Interest - Zane Grey, famous author and producer, wrote his
book "Call of the Canyon" here because of his love for Oak Creek
Canyon. In 1923 a movie based on his book was filmed here- kicking off
a movie making legacy that continues to this day. Hundreds of movies and,
more recently, commercials have been shot here in Sedona's spectacular
red rock country.
Indian ruins: The numerous local archealogical sites in the area
may be explored with expert guided tours or "on your own". Just
merember to tread lightly and respect those who came before you and those
who will come after.
Today Sedona is a major art center: Home to more than 150 resident
artists, 
with works on display in over 40 local art galleries.
Many internationally acclaimed writers also call Sedona home. Sedona is
also a popular locale for retires and others who desire a quiet and peaceful
lifestyle. Sedona has about 22 churches with all major religions represented,
many non-denominational churches, and spiritual and metaphysical centers
with wide ranging belief systems.
To Enjoy while in Sedona: Tourist activities are in abundant
supply here. Shopping- art galleries, botiques, souveneirs, jewelry pottery
and more. Leisure- sightseeing, photography, golfing. Recreation-
hiking, four wheel drive jeep rentals, climbing, and mountain biking. Living
it up- four star resorts and restaurants. Tours- by foot, horseback,
jeep, hot air baloon, airplane or helicopter. Landmarks- National
and State Parks, plus countless formations with local pet names such as
Cathedral Rock, Coffee Pot and Snoopy Rock, and much much more.
Native Wild Life: Wildlife abounds here- in the air and on the
ground. Ravens, hawks and eagles- rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and black
bear - as well as coyotes, javelinas, mountain lion and rattlesnakes.
Warning: Visiting Sedona may be dangerous. Travelers often experience
red rock fever and stay or come back to live in the area.
