Southern Sinagua farmers began building this five-story, 20 room dwelling early in the 1100s. It stands in a cliff recess 100 ft. above the Verde Valley. Early settlers assumed that it was Aztec in origin, hence the name Montezuma Castle. The name has stayed even though it is now known that Montezuma never ventured this far north. The Sinaguas used long wooden ladders to reach their dwelling. Information from a National Park Service pamphlet. 09-08