Sedona History

Sedona’s Ancient Past

hen you first come upon the red rocks of Sedona their stunning beauty will take your breath away. Once you begin to take it in you wonder, “how were these amazing mountains formed?” Geologists tell us that the crimson sandstone cliffs and spires were at one time under water. About 300 million years ago the shallow ocean in this area receded and with centuries of wind, erosion and oxidation. What’s left are magnificent red rock formations, unique in the world.

Numerous Native American tribes inhabited much of the land in and around Sedona, going back thousands of years. Ruins bear evidence of people who adapted to the environment with ingenuity and fortitude. Among Native Americans, many of the prominent rock formations are considered sacred and inscribed with their petroglyphs.

Recent History

1900 to 1920  Sedona, the name

Homesteaders began moving to what is now Sedona around the turn of the century. One prominent family, the Schneblys, built the area’s first hotel and general store. T.C. and wife Sedona also organized the first post office and submitted names for consideration. The Postmaster General in Washington, DC felt that the names Oak Creek Crossing and Schnebly Station had too many letters. When Ellsworth Schnebly, TC’s brother, suggested naming the post office Sedona, it just stuck.

A thriving orchard industry emerged—apples and peaches primarily— planted and cultivated by industrious Sedona pioneers. Water from Oak Creek irrigated the land and “orcharding” became central the Sedona’s fledging economy.

1920 to 1950  Sedona Goes Hollywood

Popular Western novelist Zane Grey wrote his most famous book, Call of the Canyon, in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon. It was to become a pivotal event in the history of Sedona. When the novel became a film it was shot on location in Sedona, the first of some 76 films. For three decades Sedona hosted some of Hollywood’s most famous film stars:

Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Robert Young, Hopalong Cassidy, Sterling Hayden, Joan Crawford, Glenn Ford, Tyrone Power, Rock Hudson, Donna Reed, and hundreds of others. You’ll notice that many of the Sedona streets are named after the films that were made famous here.

1950 to 1970  Sedona and the Arts

Secluded getaways like Garland's Oak Creek Lodge, Forest Houses Resort and Don Hoel’s Cabins attracted writers, actors and visitors to the dramatic cliffs and tall pines of Oak Creek Canyon. Camping, fishing, hiking and the great outdoors were putting Sedona on the map as a vacation destination. The creation of the Sedona Arts Center in 1958 positioned Sedona as an important arts center in the years to come and the Chapel of the Holy Cross (1956) initiated a spiritual pilgrimage for generations of visitors.

1970 to 1990  Sedona’s Allure Expands

Sedona became a popular spot for retirees wanting the big skies and clean air of the West. Second homes, resorts, hotels, motels and restaurants began to spring up as the population of Sedona grew. By 1988 Sedona was incorporated as a city. Psychics, UFO trackers, healers, body workers, New Age gurus and all manner of alternative medical practices began to converge and thrive in Sedona. It became known a metaphysical and healing destination. Free thinkers, rugged individualists, churchgoers and full moon drummers all seemed to peacefully coexist in Sedona.

1990 to the Present  Sedona for Quality of Life

Sedona began to shift from primarily a retirement community to one attracting families and individuals seeking a greater quality of life in a beautiful place. With the advent of the Internet and flexible working conditions, more and more people eyed Sedona as a great place to raise a family. By the late 90’s entrepreneurs, real estate developers, ex-corporate execs, artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers started flocking to Sedona to make it their home. Zacki Gordon Institute for digital filmmaking was established, the only one of its kind in the country. The Sedona International Film Festival, now in its thirteenth year, is flourishing, and Canyon Moon Theater comes into its own. Sedona has been endowed with a real sense of community as it continues to grow, change and connect with the world.

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