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Sedona History

The City of Sedona was originally named after the wife of the postmaster T.C. Schnebly in the early 1900s, This great city began as a quiet agricultural community. In the early 1940s and 1950s production companies in Hollywood began using Sedona as a movie location, shooting such classics as Apache and Billy the Kid. In the 1960s and '70s the beauty of the surroundings started attracting retirees, artists and tourists in large numbers and the town experienced much growth.

In October 1901, T. Carl Schnebly arrived with his wife and two children Ellsworth and Pearl, from their home in Gorin, Missouri. At the time there were only about six families who lived in the area. Carl decided to start one of the first fruit orchards in the area and then opened a little store to sell the produce. It soon became the social center of the community and a rest stop for the early westerners on their way from Jerome to Flagstaff. The Schnebly family realized that the biggest complaint of the residents was that it took too long to get their mail. It had to come from Flagstaff and could take months to receive.

In 1902 Carl sent off for a postal permit. His first choice for a name did not have too much to do with the beauty he saw around him. He liked the name Schnebly Station. He was notified that the name was too long to put on the cancellation stamp. On his second try he used his wife's name, Sedona. It was approved by postal officials on June 26, 1902. Carl Schnebly was the first postmaster of Sedona.

Some people think that it must have been very glamorous having a town named after oneself. Actually, Sedona Schnebly did not have an easy time of it. Her family disinherited her for running off to Indian country to marry "that darn Carl Schnebly".

Early Native Americans considered the Red Rocks sacred and traveled from afar to perform ceremonies among the sublime formations. Only the bravest chiefs and medicine men were allowed in to what was considered to be home to the gods. Cathedral Rock was honored as the birthplace of the first man and woman. Even today you can see the first woman and man standing back to back in the formation.

Native American tribes have long regarded the area around Sedona as sacred, to be used only for special ceremonies. Around 1980 New Agers began finding vortexes - specially charged areas of energy - giving rise to a new and thriving spiritual industry in the area. Locations such as Bell Rock, Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon attract visitors in large numbers throughout the year.

Rapid, poorly controlled growth took the area somewhat by surprise and the strip malls look out of place among the red-rock scenery. In recent years the town has made efforts to blend in with its surroundings (the Sedona McDonald's lacks the famous golden arches; instead, pastel green arcs are painted on a pink stuccoed wall). Tourist development has been geared toward the high-end curiously blended with the psychic.

Nestled among crimson sandstone formations at the southern end of Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona benefits from one of the prettiest locations in Arizona. Sedona is the foremost New Age center in the Southwest and one of the most 'important' anywhere.

In the '70s, the Sedona Area began attracting artists and tourists in large numbers, but it wasn't until around 1980, when New Agers began touting Sedona's vortexes - points where the earth's energy is focused - that the free birds really started flocking in.

Today, Sedona's New Age Information Center offers lectures, seminars, psychic readings, massage healing's and vortex information. Likewise, the Healing Center of Arizona offers anything from an hour in a sauna to several days of holistic healing, reasonably priced vegetarian meals and as much acupressure, massage, yoga, nutrition counseling, herbology, tai chi, meditation and psychic channeling as you can handle. Various other New Age outfits in town - look for the word 'crystal' in their names - distribute free maps showing the vortex sites and sell books, gems and other New Age paraphernalia.

Sedona Information

Community Profile

Weather

Average temperature (degrees F) Year maximum 95.1 degrees; minimum 29.7 degrees.
Average total precipitation: 17.15 inches.

About

At 4,500 feet, Sedona's weather is generally mild, but still offers dramatic contrasts to people who visit and live in the Red Rocks. During your visit you are likely to experience plenty of sunshine, fluffy white clouds, and gorgeous Arizona sunsets. If you are lucky you may see lightning over Bell Rock and awesome full moon evenings. You may even see dusting of snow on the Red Rocks.

Sedona serves as a vital focal point for visitors to the surrounding scenic attractions. Mild climate due to Sedona's elevation being 3,200 feet higher than the desert of Phoenix and 2,600 feet lower than the rim country area of Flagstaff, and breathtaking panoramas combine to make Sedona a much sought after cultural Mecca. It has attracted a number of artists, writers and retirees who are year-round residents. With the National Forest Service estimate of more than 3.5 million visitors annually, tourism has emerged as the primary contributor to the economy. The two largest employment sectors are services and trade, accounting for 74 percent of the community's estimated total employment. Activity in these sectors is characterized by proprietor-owned-and-operated business establishments.

Population

The steadily increasing population has stimulated the real estate sector considerably,
and housing construction has evolved as a major employer.

Sedona/Oak Creek 15,890
Coconino County 122,825
Yavapai County 155,860

Churches

26 churches of various denominations.

Organizations

More than 120 various clubs and organizations.

Services

Law enforcement: City of Sedona Police Department, and Coconino County and Yavapai County sheriff's departments, Department of Public Safety. Fire department: Sedona Fire District (which includes the City of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Village of Oak Creek and red rock areas).

Health Care

Six ambulances, an emergency search and rescue squad an air evac helicopter serve the area, health care center (in-patient), health care center (out-patient), full-time physicians, orthopedic surgeon, optometrists, podiatrist, dentists, chiropractors, ophthalmologist, and a physical therapist. There is a Medical Center in West Sedona.

Communications

Legal Newspaper: Sedona Red Rock News.
Radio: KAZM-780 AM, KQST-102.9 FM, and The Cat-100.1 FM.
Television: One Prescott channel via microwave on cable, one Flagstaff channel, five Phoenix channels via cable,
11 satellite channels via cable.

The Chapel
The Chapel is reached from Uptown Sedona by taking 179 south and proceeding to Chapel Rd. where you go left and drive to the end of the road. On our visit a guide directed us up the hill to the parking lot. There is a steep climb from the parking area so use caution and wear comfortable shoes. There is a parking area at the top for the physically challenged. The Chapel is open from 9am to 5pm daily and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. There is a downstairs gift shop that is not to be missed- unique religious articles including a large selection of unusual crosses and rosaries of native stones.

Chapel of the Holy Cross belongs to the parish of St. John Vianney in Sedona and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Visitors are invited to attend a brief evening prayer service on Monday evenings at 5pm.

Slide Rock
Located in the Heart of Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock is a Sedona landmark where the creek flows through a long slippery set of rocks! Hop in and let the current carry you! Make sure you wear sturdy shorts over your swimsuit or you may just end up with "rock burn" on your legs or a missing bathing suit.

Although the park is often busy with people, you can easily hike and rock climb upstream to find peace and seclusion. There are many spots where you can sit in the water and let it flow around you, or find a nearby rock in one of the natural whirlpool areas and let the water pull all the stress out of your feet. This is great fun for the family or friends of all ages. I highly recommend a stop here if you're visiting!

Vortex
You can drive yourself, go north from Phoenix for two hours, and you’ll discover a place of awesome beauty and powerful energy. The strong Arizona sun and the crisp dessert air make Sedona’s dramatic red rock formations seem even more spectacular, but the real magic is not perceived by any of the five conventional senses. If you’ve never been able to feel the force of Nature or sacred places, then Sedona is an excellent place to learn how.
Some information courtesy of Larson Newspapers/Sedona Red Rock News (928) 282-7795.