In January 1865, farmers who had come to the Prescott area came across the mountain to the Verde Valley and scouted areas to settle.
In February, they began to settle, said Steve Ayers, Camp Verde economic development director.
Ayers was addressing the Camp Verde Town Council at its Wednesday, Aug. 6, meeting.
“They chose an area near the Verde River and what is now West Clear Creek,” Ayers said.
Others tried to make a go of it near what is today Quarterhorse Lane, but failed. The Clear Creek group succeeded, however.
Next year will mark 150 years since the first Anglo settlement of the area and the Town Council last week approved an effort to let the Camp Verde Historical Society take the lead in celebrating the occasion.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, Aug. 13, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.
