Fort Verde State Historical Park

Fort Verde State Historic Park is located in the old part of Camp Verde and makes a great place to visit while in Camp Verde. There are many artifacts on display that show what is it was like to live back then. After visiting the fort you can spend some time walking to the many shops and restaurants in the old part of Camp Verde.

A little history about the fort, during the mid-1800s, settlers grew corn and other crops. They sold the crops to the people of Prescott and the nearby miners. The increase in population disrupted the hunting and gathering of the local tribes. The tribes started to raid the farmer’s crops, so the farmers requested help from the military for protection. In 1865 the military arrived and set up the first camps.

The fort was called Camp Verde from 1871-1873, then renamed Fort Verde in 1879. In 1890 the military moved out and the fort was transferred to the Department of Interior. In 1956, local citizens created a museum in the Administration building. The park was established in 1970 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, only four of the original buildings survive. The fort is the best-preserved example of an Indian War period fort in Arizona.

Administration Building