About the Cottonwood Old Town Association

Mission of the Cottonwood Old Town Association

The Old Town Association exists to create and promote community events along Historic 89A in Old Town Cottonwood. We hope to encourage the growth of tourism for the economic development of entrepreneurs, and a return to Main Street America.

The Old Town Association (“OTA”) is a non-profit 50l(c)(3) merchant association comprised of business owners and community members in the Old Town Cottonwood area in Cottonwood, AZ. They were founded with the mission of improving the commercial district on behalf of the business owners here. They are a 5 person board with 1 non-voting director, CEO Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce. The service area is located primarily in the commercial district on Main Street between North 7th Street and N. Cactus Street.

Cottonwood is surrounded by jagged mountains on the south and west, and to the north and east by mesas and buttes. Named for the beautiful Cottonwood trees that grow along the Verde River, the town grew from a small farming community to the Verde Valley's population center, called “the biggest little town in Arizona” by the late 1920s. At that time Old Town businesses supported residents and workers of the many mines that operated in nearby communities.

Located just minutes from Sedona, Jerome and Clarkdale, Old Town Cottonwood is ideally situated near the Verde River offering a variety of recreational activities that include camping, picnicking, horseback riding and fishing. With nearby RV Parks, a multitude of wineries and vineyards, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, the Verde Canyon Railroad, Out of Africa and the Tuzigoot, and Montezuma Indian Ruins, visiting Old Town provides a spectrum of activities to please everyone.

Annually, the Old Town Association plans a series of community events, attracting visitors from far and wide. See our calendar for this year’s events. A featured event is the Chocolate Walk on the first Saturday in December! Be sure to check out our Facebook page, Oldtowncottonwood and see what's new. You can add your community info and photos as well.

Your current OTA Officers are:

  • President - Brenda Clouston (Colt Grill)
  • Vice-President / Treasurer - Jim Ariola (Old Town Red Rooster Cafe)
  • Secretary - Debbie Garrison (Small Batch Wine & Spirits)

Street scene

Christmas Tree Lights