Most people enjoying the view of the red rocks on their way into Sedona along State Route 89A are unaware several roadside billboards were once part of the scenery.

Until the 1970s, State Route 89A was the only road between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The route to Flagstaff started in Phoenix with State Route 69 through Wickenberg to Prescott. Then it connected to 89A to Jerome, down Mingus Mountain and through Clarkdale and Cottonwood on to Sedona. From there the roadway went through Oak Creek Canyon and up the switchbacks to Flagstaff.

Interstate 17 didn’t open to the Camp Verde area until 1971, according to Arizona Department of Transportation records.

Cottonwood resident Ralph Oliver remembers the old roadway. He often traveled from the Phoenix area to Sedona for business.

For the full story, see the Friday, June 29, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.