This prehistoric community was occupied from at least AD 800 to the mid-13th century.  It may yield important discoveries relating to social history, agriculture, architecture, commerce, and community planning and development.  Although much has been backfilled to preserve and protect the resources, it contains a range of architectural styles associated with all three Pueblo periods.

This is the most extensive and well-developed example of pre-historic cliff dwellings in the United States.  The ruins trace the development of the Anasazi as they moved from the early pithouses on the mesa-tops to the large apartment complexes built in caves on the cliff walls of the canyons.

The core administrative buildings at Mesa Verde - the superintendent’s residence (1921), park headquarters building (1923), post office (1923), ranger club (1925), museum (1923-4), and community building (1927) - are the first National Park Service structures to experiment with architectural designs based in strong local cultural traditions.

Located within the McElmo River drainage, the site marks the location of a loose cluster of 20 individual habitations or pueblos that were occupied between AD 1000-1250.

Ancient Pueblo people constructed the multi-storied, 50-room village about AD 1061 on top of the ruins of 8th century pithouses. 

The Indian Camp Ranch Archaeological District is significant in the areas of Exploration/Settlement, Agriculture, Economics, Architecture, Religion, Archaeology/Prehistoric, Community Planning and Development, and Politics/Government at the national level. 

Initiated by the National Park Service, the discontiguous Hovenweep Archaeological District near Cortez was supported across state lines by the Colorado and Utah State Historic Preservation Offices.  While Hovenweep National Monument was administratively listed in the National Register in October 1966, no documentation was created.  

The 1936 building incorporates such Mission style features as a tile roof, stucco finish, an arched entry, and a campanario (vertical wall projection holding a bell).  The flat roof sections and vegas are elements seen in the Pueblo Revival style.

The Cortez High School, also known as the Calkins School, was constructed in three phases (1909, 1924, 1935), reflecting the community’s growing population as well as targeted periods of public investment in education in Montezuma County. 

This large settlement, occupied between AD 1140 and AD 1300, possesses the distinctive characteristics of "Hovenweep-type" architecture and construction methods and illustrates the shift of residential settlements to the rim of entrenched canyons.