Sedona in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
John Wayne & His Sedona Connection
Historic Sedona
Photographed by Denise Boose, April 26, 2019
1. Historic Sedona Marker
His first time as producer John Wayne was to also star in the film “Angel and the Badman”. He had been to Sedona to film his 1944 movie “Tall in the Saddle”. The owner of the local film outfitter and catering company invited him back to Sedona to hear about plans for a new headquarters for film crews. Oscar Giles planned to replace the old Civilian Conservation Corps buildings with the Sedona Lodge. The Lodge would house 300 people and two film crews at once.
Once Wayne promised to make the film in Sedona, the Sedona Lodge went under construction to meet the schedule of the movie. Next door the studio built the Sedona Sound Stage in case of bad weather during filming. In Grasshopper Flat, a location was found for a western town movie set. For its first use in films, it was outfitted with Sedona’s only train rails.
Erected by Sedona Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 34° 52.029′ N, 111° 45.749′ W. Marker is in Sedona, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It can be reached from N Hwy 89A. Located along the wall within an outdoor mall called The Shops at Hyatt Piñon.
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Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Verde Valley. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Uptown (here, next to this marker); First Assembly of God (a few steps from this marker); Early Tourism (a few steps from this marker); Orchards (a few steps from this marker); Sedona Historical Society (a few steps from this marker); The Artist of Sedona (a few steps from this marker); Sedona Schnebly (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Horse Park/Chapel of the Holy Cross (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sedona.
Photographed by Denise Boose, April 26, 2019
2. Historic Sedona Marker
courtesy of the Sedona Historical Society
3. Angel & the Badman Poster
courtesy of the Sedona Historical Society
4. Sound Stage
courtesy of the Sedona Historical Society
5. Movie Set
courtesy of the Sedona Historical Society
6. John Wayne & Badman
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 4,845 times since then and 229 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 11, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
