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

Ancient Landscapes

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

1. Ancient Landscapes Marker

Inscription. Eight hundred years ago, a savannah-like grassland covered much of this high desert with abundant grasses. The residents would have collected and burned much of the nearby fuel, necessitating long walks to adjacent areas to gather wood. Sparse annual rainfall forced the inhabitants to catch and save as much water as they could, or walk miles to other sources.

Since the use of the area by modern ranchers, the land has undergone other dramatic changes. Cattle grazing stripped much of the native vegetation away, allowing other plants, such as rabbitbrush, saltbush and snakeweed to dominate the vegetation. Although Wupatki National Monument was established in 1924, grazing continued until 1989, ending with the completion of a fence around the monument boundary.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 35° 34.705′ N, 111° 28.156′ W. Marker is in Cameron, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is on Lomaki Road 0.4 miles north of Loop Road (Local Route 545), on the right when traveling north. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles (19km),

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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: Cameron AZ 86020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Navajo Nation

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

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: Dry Land Farming (within shouting distance of this marker); Box Canyon Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunset Crater Volcano (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daily Life (about 500 feet away); A Legacy of the Past (about 600 feet away); Nalakihu (approx. 0.9 miles away); Community (approx. 0.9 miles away); Where Were The Fields? (approx. 0.9 miles away).

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

2. Ancient Landscapes Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

3. Ancient Landscapes Marker

Ancient Landscapes~Middle Mesa image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

4. Ancient Landscapes~Middle Mesa

Box Canyon Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 28, 2012

5. Box Canyon Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 963 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.