Most agriculture in early Sedona was for home consumption, or for a limited seasonal market in Flagstaff and the miners in Jerome.
Using water from Oak Creek, the first homesteaders irrigated small patches of ground to raise fruit and vegetables. Some made wine, for which the Schuerman family became well-known. Every homestead had a collection of chickens, turkeys and geese. Cattle provided beef as well as butter. But it was fruit growing -- particularly apples and peaches -- which played the most significant part in the early Sedona economy.
Sedona orcharding is much the story of the Jordan family. Will Jordan had orchards near Clarkdale, but the smoke from the smelter damaged the trees, so he bought land in Sedona.
 Walter and George Jordan took over from their father in 1930. Although Sedona became known for high-quality apples and peaches over the years, they faced a constant battle with the elements. Ruth Jordan recalled that in 42 years, only one winter went by when they didn't have to heat the orchard.
One of the most difficult tasks was getting water to the orchard. Walter and George blasted out an irrigation ditch, and installed a turbine to pump water from Oak Creek to the trees. It also supplied minimal electricity to their two homes. George later added wells and pumps; his system was the first commercial water supply to residents.
The Jordans drove fruit to markets in Jerome, Prescott, Wickenburg and Phoenix. They also shipped fruit to Seattle, San Francisco and St. Paul. Sedonans purchased fruit at George's retail store (now Sedona Landmark #5).
Walter and Ruth Jordan sold most of their land in 1972, and the remainder is now Jordan Historical Park. George's packing shed is now Sedona Art Center.
Other Sedona residents grew peaches and apples. Henry Schuerman, Jr. specialized in peaches near Red Rock Crossing. Tom Pendley grew apples on his father Frank's homestead (now Slide Rock State Park). Mr. and Mrs. Truman Ratliff specialized in dwarf and semi-dwarf trees, and sold apple cider. |
