Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Box Canyon Ruins

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

1. Box Canyon Ruins Marker

Inscription. The Box Canyon ruins are typical of many pueblos found in this region. Early inhabitants constructed walls of nearby sandstone and limestone, and used local soils to cement the stones together. The flat roofs were built of timbers laid side-by-side, covered with smaller branches and finally plastered over with mud.

Smoke was vented from the rooms through a square hole in the ceiling, which frequently served as the only access to the room. Doorways were small and windows almost non-existent. As the rooms were abandoned, the timbers were often scavenged and used in other pueblos or burned as firewood, a precious commodity in this environment.

As you look at these ruins today, they appear just as they did when discovered in the late 1800s. The National Park Service has stabilized the walls to help preserve them. None are reconstructed. These 800-year-old walls are fragile and easily disturbed. Do not walk or climb on them.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans.

Location. 35° 34.674′ N, 111° 28.177′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is on Loop Road

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, on the right when traveling north. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right at sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments. The Visitor Center is 21 miles (34km) from this junction. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dry Land Farming (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Landscapes (within shouting distance of this marker); A Legacy of the Past (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sunset Crater Volcano (about 700 feet away); Daily Life (about 800 feet away); Community (approx. 0.8 miles away); Nalakihu (approx. 0.8 miles away); Where Were The Fields? (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

2. Box Canyon Ruins Marker

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

3. Box Canyon Ruins Marker

Box Canyon Ruins on the left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

4. Box Canyon Ruins on the left.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

5. Box Canyon Ruins on the left.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

6. Box Canyon

Box Canyon Ruins on the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

7. Box Canyon Ruins on the right.

Box Canyon Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

8. Box Canyon Ruins

Box Canyon Ruins towards west end. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

9. Box Canyon Ruins towards west end.

There are no trails to these, but you can see them along Loop Road.

Box Canyon Ruins towards the west end. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

10. Box Canyon Ruins towards the west end.

No trails to these, but you can see them along Loop Road

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 1,057 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.