A Rich History and Proud Heritage

BEAUTIFUL LOCATION FASCINATING HISTORY

Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, on the banks of the Verde Creek, the store was first established in 1857. Originally, the general store was established to offer goods and services to the soldiers stationed at Fort Verde, a mile to the west. By the time the U.S. Army deactivated the Fort, the Camp Verde General Store and Post Office had become an important part of the community, serving the growing number of pioneer ranchers in the area.

Camp Verde evokes a feeling of stepping back in time to a place full of history, yet is welcoming and new. Halfway into its second century, this unique store occupies a special setting along the Verde Creek, offering the surrounding community a link to the past and a place for today.

Since 2003, Camp Verde General Store has been undergoing a renaissance, introducing a new spirit to this part of the Texas Hill Country. Everywhere you look, there are distinct touches that add to the historical setting of this remarkable venue. Spectacular outdoor patios and a full-service restaurant—surrounded by shade trees that have offered shelter for hundreds of years—make this a beautiful location to visit. Great care has been taken to honor the past while welcoming the future.

Not only has the General Store become a backbone of the area, people from all over the world stop by to experience the store themselves! Everything imaginable—souvenirs, products created by local artisans, jewelry, gifts, fine foods, jams, personal care items, candles and always a cold Coca Cola ready for you—the store is a smorgasbord of delights for everyone to slow down and enjoy.

THE GREAT CAMEL EXPERIMENT

In 1854, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (who later became President of the Confederacy) petitioned Congress to appropriate $30,000 for the Army to experiment with using camels for supply transport to the west and other military purposes. With the support of President Pierce, the bill was subsequently approved by Congress on March 3, 1855. It was late August of 1856 when the first group of camels arrived at Fort Verde, with the second load of 40 animals arriving during the spring of 1857. The animals passed every test of their ability—carrying heavier loads and traveling longer distances than the mules and horses used in the area. However, the War Department sorely needed funds for reconstruction after the Civil War. The Fort was deactivated in 1869—ending the experiment. While a fire destroyed the buildings of Fort Camp Verde in 1910, the courage and bold spirit of the Great Camel Experiment survives to this day!