Arizona: Montezuma's Castle
A
must see attraction in Northern Arizona , Montezuma’s Castle is located
just off exit 187 on Interstate 17. Located near the tiny town of Rim
Rock , the town featured in many of the John Wayne movies, Montezuma’s
Castle was mistakenly named after the Aztec Indian Chief whom the
Spaniards thought had traveled this far north.
A short two hour drive north of Phoenix and only about a half an hour from beautiful , picturesque Sedona, it visiting it is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. If you have the time, spend the whole day in this beautiful and historic part of northern Arizona by combining it with such local attractions as Tuzigoot, an ancient Anasazi hilltop settlement near Cottonwood, Jerome, the old mining town located on the side of Cleopatra Mountain, and Montezuma’s Well which is also located near Montezuma’s Castle.
Built
by the Sinagua Indians, it is constructed near the top of a tall Verde
Valley limestone cliff, located near a small river, it provided the
needed shelter, food and water for the group of natives who occupied it
for several hundred years.
Due to the extreme danger involved in constructing a dwelling of this nature,it demonstrates the Sinagua to be a very daring and able bodied people. The five story structure contains 20 rooms and was home to about 50 people, there is much evidence that at one time it was a much larger structure.
Being built as it is , it was very difficult for invading tribes to penetrate the natural defenses of this structure. The Sinagua occupied this area from about 1125 A.D. until about 1425 when for unknown reasons they mysteriously disappeared.
It is unknown why they left, but war with the arriving Yavapai tribe, drought , or depletion of the soil due to improper fertilization have all been suggested as causes for their departure. Many artifacts have been discovered which gives us insight to their way of life and indicates they were fine artisans and craftsmen.
Having been designated by President Theodore Roosevelt as a National Historical site in 1906, Montezuma’s Castle became one of the first such designations in the United States. The adjoining museum provides much information about the life and times of the Signaua to the nearly half million people who come from around the world to learn more of the American Indians and their ways each year.
Due to the many attractions in this area, such as the Verde Valley Railroad, Blazing M Ranch , the many golf courses, and the proximity of the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, it’s not hard to spend an entire week in this part of the mystical desert southwest.
Now you can follow me on Kindle.
A short two hour drive north of Phoenix and only about a half an hour from beautiful , picturesque Sedona, it visiting it is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. If you have the time, spend the whole day in this beautiful and historic part of northern Arizona by combining it with such local attractions as Tuzigoot, an ancient Anasazi hilltop settlement near Cottonwood, Jerome, the old mining town located on the side of Cleopatra Mountain, and Montezuma’s Well which is also located near Montezuma’s Castle.
Built
by the Sinagua Indians, it is constructed near the top of a tall Verde
Valley limestone cliff, located near a small river, it provided the
needed shelter, food and water for the group of natives who occupied it
for several hundred years.Due to the extreme danger involved in constructing a dwelling of this nature,it demonstrates the Sinagua to be a very daring and able bodied people. The five story structure contains 20 rooms and was home to about 50 people, there is much evidence that at one time it was a much larger structure.
Being built as it is , it was very difficult for invading tribes to penetrate the natural defenses of this structure. The Sinagua occupied this area from about 1125 A.D. until about 1425 when for unknown reasons they mysteriously disappeared.
It is unknown why they left, but war with the arriving Yavapai tribe, drought , or depletion of the soil due to improper fertilization have all been suggested as causes for their departure. Many artifacts have been discovered which gives us insight to their way of life and indicates they were fine artisans and craftsmen.
Having been designated by President Theodore Roosevelt as a National Historical site in 1906, Montezuma’s Castle became one of the first such designations in the United States. The adjoining museum provides much information about the life and times of the Signaua to the nearly half million people who come from around the world to learn more of the American Indians and their ways each year.
Due to the many attractions in this area, such as the Verde Valley Railroad, Blazing M Ranch , the many golf courses, and the proximity of the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, it’s not hard to spend an entire week in this part of the mystical desert southwest.
Now you can follow me on Kindle.
Posted by The Florida Hoosier at 5/16/2011 1:46 PM 
Categories: arizona
Tags: adventure travel historic places native peoples tourism Travel
Categories: arizona
Tags: adventure travel historic places native peoples tourism Travel
Comments