Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Citadel / Natural Features
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
1. The Citadel / Natural Features Marker
The Citadel
It was a remarkable achievement, to use primitive mortar and local stones to build the walls above you straight up from the edge of the top of the rock. “The Citadel” is the modern name given to this ruin because of its location, but archeologists wonder why the Anasazi often built in high, hard-to-get-at places. Some theories say it was defensive. Others say it was to avoid building on croplands, or for sun and breeze. Or was it more simple? Today we often build on hilltops because it is dramatic and beautiful.
Natural Features
The large circular “sink” behind you is a natural depression that occurs in limestone. Sinks are caused by a crack system that allows rainwater to dissolve limestone and collapse anything above it. They do not hold water. Beyond the sink rise the San Francisco Peaks. These volcanic mountains are the highest point in Arizona. Modern day Hopi and Navajo people consider these mountains sacred.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Native Americans • Natural Features.
Location. 35° 33.949′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Village/Abandonment (here, next to this marker); Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Where Were The Fields? (within shouting distance of this marker); Nalakihu (within shouting distance of this marker); A Legacy of the Past (approx. 0.8 miles away); Box Canyon Ruins (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dry Land Farming (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ancient Landscapes (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
2. The Citadel/Natural Features Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
3. The Citadel/Natural Features Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
4. The Citadel/Natural Features Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
5. The Citadel Pueblo
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
6. The "Sink"
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
7. Inside The Citadel Pueblo
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
8. Inside The Citadel Pueblo
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
9. Inside the walls of The Citadel Pueblo
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
10. Just outside the walls of The Citadel Pueblo
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
11. The Citadel/Natural Features
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
12. The Citadel/Natural Features
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
