Camp Verde Historical Society

The Camp Verde Historical Society is a non-profit Arizona  corporation (recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity).   We are an all-volunteer organization.  Our main projects consist of our Gift Shop, Museum, and local history research.  Additionally, we are responsible for the care and maintenance of the Historic 1898 Clear Creek Church, George Hance House, and the 1933 Rock Jail.

The Old Camp Verde School

The former Camp Verde Elementary School was built in 1914.  It is constructed of native white limestone
quarried nearby and laid by then School Superintendent G.W. Derrick.

The high ceilings in the original school building are made of tin.  It had two rooms in front and one in back, with accordion-type partitions between the rooms so that it could be opened to one large room.

Today, the Old Camp Verde School houses the Office, Gift Shop, Museum, Library and
Research Center of the Camp Verde Historical Society.

Clear Creek Church

Begun in 1898, the Clear Creek Church was completed in 1903.  It is constructed of white limestone. Mr. Nurser, an expert stonemason, chiseled and placed the rock without much help.  Today he lies buried in the Clear Creek Cemetery.

 In addition to being a place of worship, it served the community as a school and for a while as a cannery.

The Burgbacher family donated it to the Camp Verde Historical Society in 1974.  Volunteers spent the next 5 years restoring the structure.

Currently, fund raising activites have started to raise money to repail structural problems with the Church.

The Clear Creek Church is available for rent for weddings and memorial services.

1933 Rock Jail

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) constructed the old town jail in 1933.  Made of poured concrete with a
rock fascia, the 20 by 20-foot building was built under the direction of Prescott stonemason Elmer Brennen.

 It served the community surrounding Camp Verde until the early 1960s, after which it became a library.

The Camp Verde Historical Society leased the jail from the Town of Camp Verde in 2010.  Volunteers spent more than 2000 hours renovating the building to resemble the original jail.

George Hance House

The Hance House, a historic structure built in 1916-17 on property adjacent to the surgeon’s quarters at Fort Verde State Historic Park, Camp Verde, Arizona. 

George Washington Hance (1848 – 1932) arrived in the Verde Valley in 1869.  In 1872 Governor Safford
appointed him Notary Public and he held the position for 56 years.  George was appointed the first Postmaster of
Camp Verde in 1873.  He also served as Justice of the Peace from 1878 to 1920 and was the 1st Clerk of the School
Board in 1891.

George was a soldier, rancher, storekeeper, miner, justice of the peace, postmaster, census official, school board clerk, road superintendent and unquestionably one of the most respected men who ever lived in the Verde Valley.

The Hance House is furnished with period furniture and household accessories as well as tools, books, clothing and other miscellaneous items.

Questers, a group of local people interested in history, have
adopted the building and now help to maintain it.

The house is available for viewing by appointment and during Fort Verde celebrations and special activities.