Montezuma Castle National Monument / Montezuma Well / Tuzigoot & a little side visit to Cottonwood
- Cathy Curti
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 17
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Founded on December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument focused on protecting Native American heritage. This 20-room 5 level high-rise dwelling, built into a towering limestone cliff, narrates a tale of creativity, endurance, and eventual success in a harsh desert environment.
Montezuma Well
Montezuma Well is situated approximately six miles upstream from Montezuma Castle. It is a large limestone sinkhole formed by a collapsed cavern. The well measures 55 feet in depth and 368 feet in width. Underground natural springs continuously supply over 1.5 million gallons of warm water (74 degrees) into the well daily.
Surrounding the well are ancient dwellings and an old irrigation ditch, parts of which are at least 1,000 years old. The Sinagua used this ditch to divert water to their crops. It was later utilized by early white settlers and remains in use today by residents of the Verde Valley.
Fore more info and History on Montezuma Castle and well - https://home.nps.gov/moca/index.htm
Tuzigoot Ruins
On a desert ridge in Arizona's Verde Valley sits Tuzigoot National Monument, the ruins of a 110-room pueblo built about 1,000 years ago by a pre-Columbian culture archaeologists call the Sinagua.
For more info and history - https://npshistory.com/publications/tuzi/index.htm#:~:text=Small%20structures%20and%20later%20pueblos,hilltops%20or%20in%20cliff%20alcoves.
Old Town Cottonwood
We passed through Cottonwood on our way to Tuzigoot and had to come back on the way home to stop for a visit in this inviting little town.
Founded in 1879, Cottonwood was given the distinction of being called the "Biggest Little Town in Arizona." The town derives its name from a stand of large cottonwood trees growing along the Verde River.
The main street is dotted with vibrant and fun looking shops, restaurants and an abundance of wine tasting shops. Who knew Arizona so big on wine, they even have a Verde Valley wine trail.
We visited Vino Zona, where we had the opportunity to taste wines from different winemakers. Vino Zona promotes and sells incredible small-batch local winemakers and local artists!
Our stop in Cottonwood was the perfect way end the day and relax with a glass of wine and reflect on the fabulous day we had taking in all three of these beautiful ancient places. The history is always fascinating to us, how people walked and lived upon this earth many years before us.
Bill & Cat