The Hart Store, 1926

L. E. "Dad" Hart opened Sedona's first real store here in 1926, and for a while it was most of the town's commerce. The general store sold Oak Creek fruit and supplies to the first trickle of tourists, and it was the modern marvel of its day, with gravity-fed gas pumps and the first commercial electricity in Sedona. Hart is remembered less for the merchandise than for carrying neighbors on credit through the Depression and pushing to get the region's rough roads improved. The building still stands at the old commercial center.

What the plaque says

The Hart Store, 1926. L.E. "Dad" Hart established Sedona's first real store in this building in 1926. The general store sold Oak Creek fruit and tourist supplies and was considered modern with gravity-drained gas pumps and the first commercial power in town. When the road out front was re-routed, Hart moved the store operations and this store became a duplex for decades. "Dad" Hart was known for generously extending credit during the Great Depression and working to get the roads to Sedona modernized.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Sedona — 0.4 mi
  Red-rock skyline, Little Hollywood, and the town Sedona Schnebly gave her name to
• Oak Creek Canyon — 7.0 mi
  The switchback drive from red rock to ponderosa on State Route 89A
• Tuzigoot — 16 mi
  A hilltop Sinagua pueblo over the Verde, dug out of the ground in the Depression
• Montezuma Castle — 18 mi
  A five-story Sinagua cliff dwelling, misnamed for an emperor who was never here

More markers nearby

• Hart Pump House — steps away
• The Sinagua — 0.3 mi
• Carl Richards' Garage — 0.5 mi
• Rollie's Camera — 0.5 mi