Yavapai County

Cottonwood was founded in 1879. Charles D.
Willard settled in the area, bringing with him a
mechanic by the name of Neff. As other settlers
came in, the area became a farming settlement until
World War I. They found a market for their crops,
hay and grain in Camp Verde and later in Jerome.
Most farm operations included running some cattle

Cottonwood was known to have the best bootlegging
booze within hundreds of miles, attracting citizens
from Los Angeles, Phoenix and closer-to-home folks.
According to statistics compiled for the State
Directory in the late teens, Cottonwood was represented
by 64 businessmen who operated 4 general mercantile
stores, 5 stores handling dry goods, 3 restaurants,
1 barbershop, 1 movie picture theater, 1 amusement hall,
1 drugstore, bakery, confectionery, lumber yard, 2 garages,
2 blacksmiths, butcher shop, furniture store, 2 shoe shops,
7 pool halls, service station, ice plant, jewelry shop,
2 hotels, cleaning shop, root beer stand, novelty store and
ice cream parlor. The AZ power had a temporary office.
Cottonwood proper had 300 residents.

By 1920’s:
There is not another town in the US that can boost of
so many business houses for a population of about 1000.
Cottonwood was called the 'Biggest Little Town in Arizona'.
Merchants were doing a fine business and being busy all the time.