About Sedona

Sedona, and the immediate environs, is a special and unique place. With the awe-inspiring red rock formations plus the splendor and diversity of Oak Creek Canyon, it is considered a locality equal or superior to many national parks.

Located in the high southwestern desert under the rim of the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 4,500 feet, it is blessed with four mild seasons, plenty of sunshine and clean air.

In October 1901, Theodore Schnebly arrived in what is now the city of Sedona with his wife, Sedona, and two children, Ellsworth and Pearl from their home in Gorin, Missouri. There were very few families living in the area at that time, but they were eager to have contact with the "outside world."

Theodore Schnebly wrote to the Post Office Department and a post office was approved. A name was requested, to which the reply was "Schnebly Station." He was notified by the post office officials that the name was too long to put on the cancellation stamp; therefore, a second name was requested. Theodore’s wife’s name, Sedona, was suggested and it was approved by the officials on June 26, 1902. Theodore Schnebly was its first postmaster. For more historical information about Sedona visit the Sedona Heritage Museum website.

The City of Sedona was incorporated in 1988 and is one of Arizona’s premier tourism, recreation, resort, retirement, and art centers, all of which contribute to its economic base. Its history is that of a rural ranching community, far off the beaten track. But its beauty became known through the motion picture industry with such classic films as John Wayne’s “The Angel and the Badman,” and Robert Mitchum’s “Blood on the Moon.” Today, many commercials and television shows are filmed in the rural area surrounding the city, and the community plays host to over 4 million tourists from around the world.

Sedona has something for everyone -- world class resorts to small family-run motels, fine restaurants, outstanding shops and diverse art galleries. The beauty and climate of the area makes sightseeing and hiking, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and Jeep touring year-round activities.

The citizens of Sedona are proud of their beautiful environment and work diligently to preserve its uniqueness and special qualities. Central to this effort is the role of achievement through volunteerism and the interest of controlling its own destiny through participation in city government.