Flagstaff was one of these pop up tent camps and in a number of pioneers including P. Brannen and his uncle P. Brannen came from areas like Prescott to the base of the San Francisco Peaks with the hope that the location they chose would become a permanent and prosperous stop on the line. Though at the time, the railroad did not plan on having a stop in between Winslow to the east and Williams to the west. Just under a mile west of current day downtown. First in a tent, then using wood, as was the case with most other establishments at the time.
As the railroad began getting closer and closer to Flagstaff camp, it became apparent that the large ponderosa pine forest surrounding the area would be a quite useful local resource for the railroad ties. So in the late summer of , a Chicago businessman by the name of EA Ayers hauled a steam powered lumber mill from Chicago to Flagstaff and set up shop. The lumber yard would help solidify Flagstaff as a permanent stop along the railroad as well as provide a source of income for folks that decided to stay in the area.
Another fortuitous event for the permanency of Flagstaff was a delay in the building of the railroad at Canyon Diablo. The bridge that was built to span the canyon was several feet short, and as a result hundreds of railroad workers were essentially stranded in the area for about a half a year. This brought a lot of coin and a lot of attention to the budding town.
When the Canyon Diablo bridge finally spanned the chasm the railroad was quickly completed, but the damage had already been done so to speak.
When the first train came through on Flagstaff was practically a town, and this was solidified when the railroad decided to make it an official stop on the line. The original townsite was perched on the hillside next to the spring, and was not ideal for a train to stop and start. So the railroad set up their depot using a couple of box cars less than a mile east. Just across the tracks from where the train depot sits today. So if the town was up on the hill and the railroad depot was down in the flat valley, how did they eventually wind up in the same place?
Between and , Lt. Edward Beale was sent to build a road across northern Arizona. He sent glowing reports to Congress, telling them how the Flagstaff area was rich in grasslands, water and timber. Once the Beale Road was established it became well traveled by emigrants going to California.
One such party of emigrants came from Boston in Originally planning to settle in the Little Colorado River area near Winslow, they found the area already settled and decided to move on to California. On July 4, , the group camped at a small spring with the peaks looming overhead. That same year, a small group of sheep ranchers moved to the area and set up their ranches where they found grass and water.
The isolation of the area was not a problem to them because wool did not spoil and could withstand the long, rough journey to market in Boston. The days of isolation ended for the Flagstaff area when in , the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad began to lay track westward from Albuquerque on its way to California.
In early , merchants and saloonkeepers set up shop for the advance parties of workers who were coming to grade and cut ties in the abundant ponderosa forest. That same year the citizens of the little camp called their new town Flagstaff, in honor of the landmark.
By the fall of that year, Flagstaff boasted a population of and swiftly became a wild railroad town filled with saloons, dance halls and gambling houses. On August 1, , the railroad finally reached Flagstaff. Fortunately for those who stayed, Flagstaff became an established stop for water servicing the railroad and its passengers. Sheep ranchers began to use the railroad to transport wool and cattle ranchers, drawn by the prospect of free or inexpensive land, realized that they could now affordably ship their beef to the eastern market.
For those who enjoy organized team sports, the City has adult and youth leagues for softball, baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball throughout the year.
Additional recreation amenities include the skateboard park and disc golf course, which provide year-round recreational opportunities. Groomed trails at the nordic center provide over 24 miles 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing.
Endless miles can be skied on the hundreds of miles of forest service roads. Skip to Main Content. Loading Close. Do Not Show Again Close. Sign In. The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all. Home Visitors Community Profile. Economic Information Flagstaff is a governmental, educational, transportational, cultural, and commercial center. Forest Service U. Several new programs are embracing the concepts of sustainability, restoration, conservation, and participation, such as: Brownfield Land Recycling Reclaim water treatment plant Renewable energy and fuels Sustainable building Toilet rebate program Use of rain barrels Water conservation Additionally, the City provides funding support to not-for-profit organizations such as the Resource Center for Environmental Education and the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Medical Flagstaff has an extensive array of medical facilities and resources in the areas of traditional, integrative, and alternative health care. Outdoor Sports Hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers will find miles of trails, which range from gentle grades to extremely difficult terrain. Team Sports For those who enjoy organized team sports, the City has adult and youth leagues for softball, baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball throughout the year.
Winter Sports Groomed trails at the nordic center provide over 24 miles 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing. Moderate summer temperatures average 20 degrees less than Phoenix and are punctuated with afternoon rain showers in July and August. The winter brings an average annual snowfall of As the snow thaws into spring, blooming wildflowers are abundant and fragrant along Flagstaff's many hiking trails.
Autumn is highlighted with the changing of the aspen leaves that transform the surrounding mountains into a golden tapestry of color. Flagstaff averages days without precipitation each year, so it is not surprising that our residents love the great outdoors, and the mild climate encourages year-round outdoor activities. ADA Notice.
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