Montezuma Castle National Monument in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Way Up
⎯⎯⎯
Construction Sequence
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
1. The Way Up Marker
The Way Up
How in the world do you build a structure large enough to house 35 people high up on a steep canyon wall? Sound impossible? Heres how Montezuma Castles ingenious Sinagua farmers managed it.
Construction Sequence
1. Limestone ledges and caves before the castle was built.
2. First construction; a six-room unit (3rd floor).
3. Small room added at west (left) end; one room built on next (4th) floor.
4. Fourth floor expanded. Two rooms built in small cave (2nd floor).
5. Parapet and two rooms built at top (5th floor); three small rooms at front (1st, 2nd floors).
6. Three stacked rooms formed the central tower (1st, 2nd, 3rd floors). Small storage rooms may have been built earlier.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 34° 36.71′ N, 111° 50.514′ W. Marker was
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Arizona’s Verde Valley and in the Yavapai-Apache Nation. It was also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: On the Move (a few steps from this marker); A Piece of Modern Monument History (a few steps from this marker); Aloft but not Alone (within shouting distance of this marker); Cycles of Care (within shouting distance of this marker); Creating a Home (within
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
2. Construction Sequence Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. The Community (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Neighborhood / Mysterious Departures (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Montezuma Castle National Monument. (Submitted on March 13, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
3. Construction Sequence & The Way Up Markers
Looking east toward visitor center
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
4. Construction Sequence Step 1 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
5. Construction Sequence Step 2 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
6. Construction Sequence Step 3 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
7. Construction Sequence Step 4 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
8. Construction Sequence Step 5 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
9. Construction Sequence Step 6 on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
10. Crossview Image on The Way Up Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2010
11. Montezuma Castle View from Markers
Photographed by James Hulse, June 19, 2024
12. The Way Up / Construction Sequence Marker
New replacement markers - looking east toward visitors center
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 13, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 12. submitted on July 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
