Honoring the Pioneers of the Verde Valley
Preserving Pioneer & Settler Stories
Scan the Past. Discover Their Story.
150+
Years of History
15
Biographies Documented
5
Cemeteries with Pioneers Honored
We believe in the power of community to preserve and share our ancestors’ stories.
We strive to present the most accurate and respectful representations of our pioneers' lives.
Connecting today's generation with their heritage through engaging stories and histories.
Preserving Pioneer Stories Scan the Past. Discover Their Story.
Join us in celebrating the rich history of Verde Valley pioneers and settlers.
Submit a biography today and be a part of our growing archive!
Purpose of the Archive
The Verde Valley Pioneers Archive preserves short, accurate biographies of the early
settlers, ranchers, farmers, merchants, and families who shaped the Verde Valley of Arizona.
Each biography is paired with a QR code placed at the individual’s gravesite,
allowing visitors to learn their story on location.
A meaningful step was taken this April in honoring the memory of Sarah Elizabeth (Hawkins) Alderson, one of the early Verde Valley pioneers. Working closely with a descendant of the Hawkins family, an 8” × 10” memorial marker with an embedded QR code was placed at her long‑unmarked grave in the Pioneer Section of the City of Cottonwood Cemetery.
Family members, community representatives, and local historians gathered for the placement. After the marker was set, those in attendance shared remembrances of Sarah’s short but significant life, reflecting on her journey from Missouri to the Arizona Territory and her role in the earliest chapter of Verde Valley settlement. The gathering concluded with a heartfelt prayer offered in her honor.
This addition ensures that Sarah’s story—once nearly lost—now has a permanent and visible place in the landscape she helped pioneer.
A thin metal QR code, elegantly engraved, featuring adhesive strips on the back.
The QR code links directly to the individual's biography PDF file.
Top Text Suggestions - "Verde Valley AZ Pioneer", "Verde Valley AZ Settler", "Verde Valley Arizona", "Verde Valley AZ Lawman", "Verde Valley AZ Rancher", "Verde Valley AZ Postmaster"
Bottom Text Suggestion - The person's name
Alternatively - No text with a larger QR code
This engraved acrylic plaque showcases black text on a simulated granite background. It is mounted on gray 12" x 12" pavers and is exclusively available for unmarked graves or deteriorating headstones in cemeteries within the Verde Valley area.
For residents outside the Verde Valley, our volunteers are happy to place QR codes and these markers in Verde Valley area cemeteries.
VerdeValleyPioneers.com is a digital archive dedicated to preserving the lives of early settlers of the Verde Valley in Arizona through short biographies that are accessible and engaging.
By placing QR Codes on graves linked to biographies we honor and preserve the history of the Verde Valley.
To submit a biography, please navigate to our 'Submissions' page where you will find detailed instructions on how to share your ancestor's story with us.
Your Verde Valley ancestor does not need to be located in the Verde Valley.
We welcome all stories related to the early settlers of Verde Valley, including family histories, personal anecdotes, and significant contributions to the community.
Our QR code feature allows cemetery visitors to scan codes located at relevant gravesites or historical markers.
This connects them to digital biographies, providing a rich historical context.
No, there is no fee to submit a biography of a Verde Valley Pioneer or Settler. We value every contribution and aim to keep the platform accessible.
Engraved QR codes are offered at a price of $25.00 for a 2.5" x 2.5" metal QR code available for local pickup. For an additional $5.00, we can mail it to you to cover shipping and handling. You also have the option to handle the engraving yourself through a local shop or online service.
The QR code can be placed at the burial site by you, or our volunteers can assist with placement if the site is located in a cemetery within the Verde Valley, Arizona.
Some gravesites no longer have descendants to speak for them.
Sponsorship ensures that a forgotten pioneer is remembered and included in the archive.
Learn how to sponsor a gravesite or explore donation options.