Verde Independent article about our renovation/expansion project on an historic building in Old Town Cottonwood.
| 5/6/2015 6:01:00 AM Then & Now Community’s first Mormon Church now home of Old Town Center for the Arts |
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By Commissioner Annabel V. Sclippa Then & Now is a series of articles looking at historic buildings in Cottonwood to bring historic value awareness to the public. Presented by the Historic Preservation Commission of Cottonwood. Backstory: Hands down I found this property, the North/East corner of North 5th Street and North Main Street, the hardest to formulate my monthly article. For all of the units existing in this mini plaza, and the size of the main structure, the events which took place on the property before the arrival of Old Town Center for the Arts (OTCA) was almost undocumented, except for the original deed and a regular announcement in the paper of church sermon times, along with all of the other churches in the Verde Valley. As a result, this is a less documented piece, formulated also on the oral history of our area, and general history through lightly sourced articles and books of interest, as previously used to create the descriptive of the property for last year’s Cottonwood Historic Home & Building Tour by the Historic Preservation Commission. In the Beginning There were Mormons in the Verde Valley in the late 1880s, but they were not organized until 1923, when a branch of 23 members formed in Jerome under the direction of the California mission. Very soon after, a branch with 43 members was created in Clarkdale. The Church then searched for property to build in Cottonwood. On December 11, 1928, 70 members held a fundraiser in Clarkdale, including music and entertainment. Yet, it wasn’t until November 11, 1930 that two lots were purchased on 5th Street (formerly 6th Street) in Cottonwood, from J.S. Crowley, for $400. In addition to the lots, the Church purchased a Ford truck from Crowley for another $100, to haul sand and rock from the Verde River to build the Chapel. From the River, Up The structure is built in the Mediterranean style of architecture, typical of other Mormon Churches. There was also a time capsule buried at the right corner of the building. Construction is poured concrete in forms, approximately 1-1/2 feet wide, and containing Verde River sand and rocks AKA ‘river dirtcrete.’ This is enforced by narrow gage tracks acting as rebar, which is in fact scrap metal steel from the mine and smelter. The result, an incredibly durable and innovative structure. Supervised by Parley Leroy Bigelow, men, women and children all labored to build the chapel, which held its first meeting on June 7, 1931, even before completion. On July 11, 1933, the Church was dedicated and had 98 members. For over 20 years dances were held, movies were shown, talks were given, until on March 29, 1953, when the majority of the priesthood decided a new building should be built rather than renovating this one. Property was purchased “out in the country” on what is now Mingus Avenue, and the Church was relocated to their then newly built structure, which has since become Westcott Funeral Home. The Theater of Life Throughout the years this striking community building has housed multiple functions. In 1985, owner Dale Deretany’s Musical Arts, Music Store was there. More than one local I spoke with had the same memory of one Halloween when members of the Cottonwood Fire Department brought down their ladder in the night and added an “F” so when folks saw it Halloween morning it read ‘Musical Farts.’ They knew Mr. Deretany’s easy spirit would enjoy the humor. In 2003, Gary and Cathy Mannix moved in from New York and purchased the property from Dale and Pamela Deretany. Locals tell me during the Mannix ownership it was an Antique Store. Five years later they sold the property to current owners, William and Christy Eaton. According to Mrs. Eaton, when they first worked on the building they had to open walls since, “the stage area was carved into an office and small rooms, likely from when the Mormons would put boys and girls in different classrooms.” In 2010, the Eatons updated the main historic structure with new bathrooms through a native technique: adobe block. Traditional adobe construction techniques in North America have not varied widely for over 3-1/2 centuries. Adobe building methods employed in the Southwest in the 16th century are still used today. The long-standing Verde Valley company Beyond Adobe brought this ancient style into new use on this historic structure with dirt sourced here in the Verde Valley. Almost imperceivable as new, the bathrooms are located on the North face of the building. Between the Main Structure and the Cottage During the Mannix ownership era, Tara Salon moved in to the next building South in the plaza: Suite C. This year will be 13 years since the Salon moved in. This unit was thought to be a salon in the past as well, and at one time a study room for various church activities. The Eatons credit Tara Salon for putting them in touch with the Mannix family, from whom they purchased the property in 2008. Studio B Next to the South of Tara Salon is now known as Studio B, which at one point was part of the meeting rooms for the Church(es) and in more recent years has been space for Zumba, yoga, meditation and other movement classes with it’s wonderful wall of mirrors. Most recently it has returned to an extended, and more intimate, music venue. According to their website oldtowncenter.org, “with seating for 50 and a close-up stage area suitable for solo and duet acts, Studio B is much more than just a performance venue – it is an ideal facility for classes, workshops and lectures, available on either a one-time basis or on a regular weekly or monthly schedule, in both day and evening.” They currently offer live concerts on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm. In the past, Studio B is also thought to have been a room to go play guitar when the main structure was Musical Arts, and as the Eatons notice, “The room underneath it, as well, is full of outlets for amps and trying out guitars and other equipment.” The Crowley Cottage At the other end of the “L” forming this small plaza is the sweet cottage at 735 N Main Street, which was originally the Crowley family house. It has been home to a store for Eco-Friendly Advocacy and Products, The Green Carrot, La Bella Cafe, Thyme & Again, and The Flour Garden, in the nine years I have lived here. Currently Mrs. Eaton is using the space for private art projects. Perhaps, And Maybe According to the Eatons, at least one part of the property was once a Bike Shop. “We found bike parts all over the back garden when we were digging and fixing it up. There is a sign back there that says ‘Bike Works 1976,'” said Mrs. Eaton. According to other locals whom I interviewed from multi-generational families, the property housed Covenant Life Church, was a hippie hangout, might have been an art gallery, perhaps was once office to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and at one point was the Cottonwood Baptist Church. A World-Class Affair The Eatons opened Old Town Center for the Arts in the Autumn of 2008. Now in their 7th Season they have offered the local community approximately 350 events spanning from music concerts, plays, comedy, variety shows, belly dance, the Old Town Blues Festival, Water to Wine Festival, Backyard Gardening Expo, art openings, sustainability events, community events, and even an idol competition, to name some. The range of performance the Eatons have brought in spans the world, and includes top Arizona talent such as Anthony Mazzella and R. Carlos Nakai. They have created a community hub for entertainment and gatherings. A full listing of upcoming events can be found on their website oldtowncenter.org. Upcoming Events Monthly Cottonwood Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Meeting, generally on 2nd Wednesdays at 6pm, in the Council Chambers. Check for variations at http://cottonwoodaz.gov/bchistoric.php. Beyond Adobe’s Spring Adobe Brick & Wall Building Workshop in Old Town May 22-24 2015. Summer Workshops will include a Classroom Intensive and Children’s Build Workshop. Autumn will offer a week-long full structure build. Call Belle at (928) 593-0827 to register, or visit beyondadobe.com. 2nd Annual Cottonwood Historic Home & Building Tour November 14, 2015 in conjunction with Walkin’ On Main. For more information contact Commissioner Elinski (928) 300-8148 or tim@verdebuilder.com. Sources 1931 Waiver, UVX; Recorded June 25, 1931; Book 154 of Deeds, Pg. 1 Historic Resources Inventory; Linda Laird and Associates, 1985 “Adobe, Past and Present.” Reprinted from El Palacio. Vol. 77, no. 4 (1971) The Verde Historical Society, Clemenceau Heritage Museum HPC’s Cottonwood Historic Home & Building Tour handout for 633 N 5th Street, 2014 |
