Welcome to Verde Canyon Railroad

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In this region, there were at least five groups of prehistoric people. No one knows what they called themselves, but archeologists refer to them as Hohokam, Anasazi, Sinagua Mogollon and Salado. The Verde Valley is regarded as an aboriginal melting pot where at least four of these cultures are thought to have intermingled.

The Sinagua Indians, from the Spanish words sin (without) and agua (water) are thought to be the first residents of the Verde Canyon, dating back to 600 A.D. Their rough stone masonry structures set in caves are still recognizable, perched precariously above the tracks of the Verde Canyon Railroad. Unfortunately, time, erosion and vandalism have taken their toll on the structures.

These ancient people were primarily farmers, growing corn, beans, squash and peas. They also supplemented their diet through hunting as witnessed in the gathering walls below their dwellings. Life expectancy for them was only 35 to 40 years.

The Sinagua apparently abandoned the Verde Valley area by the early 1400s. Folk tales relate of war, space or spiritual travel and even cannibalism. What became of them is only speculation but many archaeologists feel they were absorbed by the Hopi villages in northeastern Arizona.

"Wonderful!! Thank you for playing the song ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ We appreciate what you are doing."

—Daniel L. Hay, Phoenix, AZ

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