Old Town Cottonwood A Dozen Years of Transformation and Preservation

By Annabel V Sclippa

 

Venture north from Phoenix via Interstate 17 for a scenic drive to Cottonwood, where the urban fades into the wild beauty of Arizona. This route quickly transitions from cityscape to sweeping desert plains, dotted with saguaros, before ascending through the picturesque Black Canyon. As you merge onto State Route 260, the landscape unfolds into the dramatic red rock country of the Verde Valley, guiding you to the quaint, artsy town of Cottonwood, nestled amidst nature’s splendor.

The First Historic Commission

Twelve years ago, I embarked on a journey to document the history of Old Town Cottonwood for the Verde Independent of Yavapai County with a series called “Then and Now.” As a founding member of the City of Cottonwood’s Historic Preservation Commission, my role was rooted in the urgency of capturing history amidst rapid changes. Writing the articles was also a personal quest in creativity, and one of many volunteer contributions I made to Old Town for my love of it. Looking back, I wish I had chronicled even more of the town’s evolving narrative, and wish to pick back up here.

The Haunted Group

At that time I wrote often about the establishments of The Jurisin family, AKA The Haunted Group, who were a pillar of the new revival of Old Town. Their restaurants: The Tavern Grill and Nic’s Steak & Crab, had been in Old Town quite a spell before I had arrived, then I watched as they created a beautiful 10-room Tavern Hotel out of an old gym. In Jerome they also owned a T-Shirt & Souvenir shop, The Haunted Hamburger, and Grapes, where they had previously test-driven a brewery. Since that time, they continued to expand their presence with their Old Town restaurants Bocce, Strada, Crema, and in Jerome: The Clinkscale. Today, most of their restaurants have been sold and passed on to others as new times unfold, and their hotel has expanded to 41 guestrooms, 5 cottages and a penthouse suite.

The Keenans

In recent years, Old Town Cottonwood has mostly been written about in relation to the influence of Maynard James Kennan, lead singer of three bands: Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, and his wife Jenn. Kennan is a bit SuperHuman. In addition to being a world-famous musician, he is also now a filmmaker, winemaker, restauranteur, martial arts aficionado, and with his wife, also owns a Vinyl Shop and Cafe. Their restaurants, tasting rooms and cafe offer ingredients grown on their properties’ from veggies and mushrooms to fresh laid duck eggs, alongside their own brand coffee, gelatos, wines and meads. I will get into more detail of their expansive empire in the Verde Valley in later articles. For now, I want to establish my articles to come, in general: based on History.

Back in Time

One significant catalyst for creating an Historic Preservation Commission was witnessing the demolition of two beautiful river rock “shotgun” buildings at the entrance of Old Town. Their clearing was in an effort to create a ‘clean pallette’ to sell the land to developers. Yet, it was a heartbreaking loss of a piece of Cottonwood’s irreplaceable heritage. I had moved to Cottonwood for its lazy-day-ways. When I opened The Annabel Inn Bed & Breakfast, it was the first official B&B in the City; codes had to be written for me to open it. The fact that it could be the first, in the year 2007, created in me the feeling of falling backwards into another time and place. I wished to share it with others by providing a place to come stay.

Historic Home Tours

After watching this demolition of the river rock buildings just across Main Street from me, now Cottonwood Mayor, Tim Elinski, and I spoke. In our shared concern, our journey began as part of a committee that created the Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission still exists, now offering periodic Historic Home & Building Tours to expand preservation awareness, education and appreciation.
https://cottonwoodaz.gov/760/Cottonwood-Historic-Property-Tour

New Replaces Old

The demolished structures were more than mere buildings; they embodied the spirit of Cottonwood, the greater Yavapai County, and the Verde Valley’s early homesteading history. Just recently, a dozen years later, new development has finally emerged in the place of their absence.

The Verde River

Today, Cottonwood is renowned for its burgeoning wine industry, but it is also still celebrated for its bootlegging and mining history, and its scenic Verde River. Located in the 480-acre Verde Greenway, the river boasts a six-mile long riparian area. Activities on and along the Verde include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, frisbee golf, kayaking and canoeing. Access points and overnight options are available through Dead Horse Ranch State Park, bordering Old Town. Read more about its history here:
https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/explore/park-history

Main Street USA

Many who come to sip, stay, shop, eat and play in Old Town, do it for the Mom and Pop in every shop setting, which still exists today, as we have managed to stay ahead of the national chain wave. Yet, aside from simply feeling ‘an historic vibe,’ for those visiting Old Town, if you look close enough, you can capture glimpses of its historic roots.

Nationally Registered Commercial Historic District

Structures still standing from Cottonwood’s heyday of the 1920s and 1930s include both the Cottonwood Bridge and the Del Monte Wash Bridge. These bookdend the Nationally Registered Commercial Historic District of Old Town. Within these bridges’ boundaries are numerous original buildings. The Civic Center was once the Civic Club and the location sparked many a romance between the returning soldier and his future wife. The Old Town

Jail once known as the Jailhouse, now houses SEEDS Natural Fiber Clothing & Gallery. It is also the head of the 1.6 mile walking loop: The Jail Trail. Also still standing, are the buildings currently housing Four Eights Wine Room, City Clerk, City Finance and Human Resources, and City Hall.

Rebuilds and Relocations

The Belfry Brewery was the Recreation Center and Gym when I arrived in 2006. Historically, it was “The Green Church on the Corner,” and home to several local congregations, making it a gathering place since the 1920s. Since 2006, it has been gutted and rebuilt, and completed with a bell once again, “which sounds to bring travelers and friends home.” It is one of the few restaurants in town with an elevated patio and view. Our stellar City-sized Recreation Center is now outside of Old Town at 150 S 6th Street.

The Original Hospital

Still in Old Town, but outside of the bridge to bridge Historic Commercial District, you may have noticed the strangely staggered building with Healing Arts Center proudly displayed on it, spanning the block of: N Main Street from N 3rd to N 4th. This was the original hospital before it expanded into the Verde Valley Medical Center, now located outside of Old Town at 269 S Candy Lane. Currently, the sawtooth building has been rebranded as Cottonwood Old Town Plaza. It houses about two dozen businesses, from massage therapists, acupuncturists, yoga instructors, and reiki masters, to engineering, painting and surveying companies. Dr. Martin Colvin, DO, owner of Family Medical Center and affiliated with Verde Valley Medical Center has been serving the Verde Valley for decades, and still keeps his office here in the heart of Old Town.

Historic Walking Tours

Stay at the Cottonwood Hotel, the oldest hotel, and the oldest running business with the same name and location, in Cottonwood. You might be sleeping in the same room where legends such as John Wayne, Gail Russell and Mae West slept while filming Western classics. Take an Historic Walking Tour with Cottonwood Hotel’s owner and Tour Guide, Karen Leff to hear renegade history and recounting a list of famous stars and starlets’ scandalous romances while staying in her hotel.
https://www.cottonwoodhotel.com/

Repurposed

If you notice the arched buildings of The Glitter Institute, these are reconstructed airplane hangers. Bing’s Burgers was truly a service station, as was the building Sedonuts is in. Many fun times have been had at the Sedonuts location over the last decade and a half when it was Rendezvous in Old Town, RIOT in Old Town, and Fojol Brothers.

Historic Hints Everywhere

Bocce Pizzeria offers more than just delicious fare—it also presents a glimpse into history with a full-wall black and white photograph of the Del Monte Wash Bridge, entering Old Town from Clarkdale, in the 1920s. The wall-sized image in Crema’s courtyard is of their building on Main Street from the same decade. These preserved relics serve as a testament to Cottonwood’s enduring spirit and rich heritage.

Historically Present Meaning

As Old Town continues to grow and change, blending preservation with progress remains essential. The stories of our past must serve as a cornerstone for future generations, ensuring that Cottonwood’s soul is never lost to new development. As I write these articles, I wish to relay what I can about each property, and take my articles from my original “Then and Now,” articles of a dozen years ago, to the very present, for your enjoyment, and so you may be an inquisitive and educated visitor, or if you are a local, to become an even more knowledgeable member of our community.
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