About Us – Verde Village Community Connection

Welcome to Verde Village

Our Community

We are a community of some 13,000 residents in an unincorporated area of Yavapai County. In addition to residential property, we also have some light industry (screen printing, welding services) and professional services (barber shop, roofing company, gas station with mini-mart).

The Village is divided into eight districts, called Units. Here is a brief history of our beginnings. Click here to download our brochure.

A Little History

In the 1960’s, Ned Warren purchased 800 acres of land between Cottonwood and the Verde River. Roads were bulldozed, lots were laid out and sold under the title of Queen Creek Land & Cattle Company. Sales were so brisk some lots were sold twice. Mr. Warren assured all buyers that they would be offered a refund or another property. Most of the lot owners were retirees; they began flocking to the area.

Building began in the early 1970’s. The need for more and better roads along with utilities increased. Mr. Warren attempted to borrow the money needed for all this activity. The financial institutions he approached were concerned about the lack of regulation on this project. Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) were adopted out of this concern. Adherence to the CC&R’s was mandatory. (They have since expired, so nothing is on the books or enforced.)

Utilities continued to be inadequate. Communications among Village residents was often via CB radio. In some instances, water was provided by hose from one home to another.

And so it began

A group of residents from Unit 1 sent a letter to the Arizona Corporation Commission outlining the developers’ faults. They signed this letter “Verde Village Property Owners Association.” Their efforts received immediate results. Queen Creek Land & Cattle was ordered to cease sales until roads & utilities improved.

By 1972 and after several fundraising events, including selling sandwiches at the County Fair, sufficient funds were raised to be able to make the Verde Village Property Owner’s Association, or VVPOA, a legal entity. Annual dues were $5 per year.

Heyday in the ’80’s

By 1980, the population was around 2,000 people with 614 homes built, and dues had been increased to $20 per year with nearly 1,000 paid Members. The Ranch House quickly became too small for even normal gatherings. The annual election of officers was held at Mingus High School. Plans for the new, larger Club House began.

Work on the Club House started in 1981. The cost of this new structure was $52,000. Much of the labor and materials were donated. The Women’s Club raised an additional $33,000 to outfit the commercial kitchen that we continue to enjoy today.

In the early years, the Membership was active and fundraising events such as monthly dinners, pancake breakfasts, dances and other events held in the Club House. These events not only helped the VVPOA financially, but they brought the residents together to form a tight knit Community. Building Permit fees and Hall rentals of both the Ranch House and the Club House brought in income.

Today

Currently VVPOA income comes from Memberships, Hall rentals and an occasional fundraiser. Your Board is looking at activities from the past to determine if they have a place in our future and seeking ideas for new activities that might appeal to our Members today.

Our primary focus is on advocating for and connecting residents of Verde Village, not on weeds in your yard. We are working hard to revive our Community but we need your help to do so.

If you have not already done so, please become a paid Member. If you have any thoughts about ways we can improve, please contact the Board of Directors with your suggestions. With your support, the Verde Village can become an even better place to live, work & play.