Ashfork and Seligman, Arizona- An Unbroken Stretch of Pavement

ARIZONA LEGENDS

Ashfork to Seligman - An Unbroken

Stretch of Pavement

Ashfork – Flagstone Capital of the World

Ashfork is yet another small town of just some 500 people that got its beginnings when the railroad pushed through in 1882. When the settlement was formed it was named for the many ash trees growing on the town site. In 1883, Ashfork gained its own post office, primarily thriving as ranching area.

In 1893 the entire town of Ashfork burned to the ground, but soon rebuilt on the other side of railroad tracks, where it continues to stand today.

Vintage postcard of Ashfork, Arizona

Later it developed considerable business in quarrying sandstone, found about ten miles outside of town. The flagstones were to build many of the buildings in town, and soon its citizens proclaimed the town as the “Flagstone Capital of the World.’

As the railroad became more popular, the Fred Harvey Escalante Hotel was built in 1907. When Route 66 came through, the hotel catered to both highway and railroad travelers. Route 66 brought a boost to the town’s economy, but in the 1950s, the tides changed when the railroad moved its main line north of town. The beautiful Escalante Hotel closed down and nothing remains of it today.

Devastated by another fire in the 1970s, many of Ashfork's buildings were destroyed once again. When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, it nearly died. However, the small population continues, supported by five flagstone yards located around town, ranching, mining, and a new generation of Route 66 travelers.

Desoto's Beauty, Barber and Gift Shop is situated in an old gas station in

Ashfork, Arizona, October, 2007, Maureen Skoblar, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The longest stretch of unbroken Route 66 highway begins just past Ashfork at Crookton Road. This piece of vintage 66 will take you all the way to the California border, providing a plethora of scenic views and historic value.

For the next 17 miles, you will travel through the rolling hills of the Ashfork plains before reaching Seligman.

Seligman - Where Pride in the Pavement is King!

When pioneers along the Beale Wagon Road passed through this area in the mid nineteenth century, it was known as Mint Valley. Later when the Prescott and Central Arizona Railroad planned to connect the area to Prescott, in 1886, the settlement was called Prescott Junction. Completing the tracks, the train had to run backwards to Prescott Junction because there wasn’t a turntable in Prescott.

Before long, the Railroad went out of business, shutting down the junction. However, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad took over the abandoned rail line, and the town changed its name to Seligman, in honor of the Seligman brothers, who helped finance the rail line south.

As railroad traffic increased, the Havasu Fred Harvey House was built. Opening in 1905, the hotel included 60,000 square feet, housing numerous hotel rooms, a large kitchen, a lunch room and a news stand. Abandoned by the railroad years ago, the building still stands today, but is currently (October, 2007) in danger of being torn down. According to federal regulations, any occupied building must be a safe distance from active railroad tracks, which the building is not deemed to be, and the current owner, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, plans to demolish the building in 2008.

Though locals and Route 66 preservationists have been actively working to save the building, the "Save the Seligman Harvey House" campaign has unfortunately lost the fight and the building is scheduled to be demolished in May, 2008.

The Havasu Fred Harvey House still stands in Seligman

today, photo courtesy University of Arizona Library

The old Seligman depot, courtesy Don Gray,

September, 2007.

At the turn of the century, Seligman was populated primarily by cowboys working the large ranches of the area. Along with these rough and ready men, came a piece of the Wild West, complete with shootouts on the streets. At this time the saloons and brothels outnumbered the churches three to one. Over the years, Seligman settled down but today, is still populated by people working at some of the state’s largest ranches.

When Route 66 came through, Seligman accommodated the many travelers with numerous motor courts and services, bringing a substantial boost to the town’s economy.

In the late 1970s Seligman was bypassed by I-40, and then, in the mid 1980s, the Santa Fe Railroad closed its operations in the city.

Both were tremendous blows upon the small town and it soon came to a slow crawl. However, with the enthusiasm of Seligman's residents, the town has been well preserved and the town has again become a popular destination for Route 66'ers.

Today, a visit to this small city is a step back in time, where you will see an odd mixture of cattle ranching, truck drivers and Mother Road icons.

Be sure to stop by the Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop and Visitor's Center and pick up a Walking Tour Guide to Historic Seligman, which will give you a glimpse the colorful history of the once thriving railroad town.

The Rusty Bolt on Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, April, 2005

Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In, April, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Just east of the Vistor's Center, is the "must see" Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In at 217 E. Route 66. A Mother Road landmark through the ages, you'll enjoy not only great road food, but also a little humor that is always "served" up at the Snow Cap.

There are numerous other interesting photo opportunities in Seligman, including the Rusty Bolt Souvenir and Gift Shop at 117 E. Route 66. Here, you'll not only find some great souvenirs, but also a plethora of old cars and crazy mannequins to welcome you.

At 123 E. Route 66 is the Return to the 50's Museum and Gift Shop, which occupies an old gas station which closed in 1985.

Also check out the Old West Town and The Roadkill Cafe a bit further down the highway.

From Seligman, you will head west along the longest unbroken stretch of Route 66, where you can stop at Grand Canyon Caverns to see what the earth is like 21 stories below. From there, you'll soon come upon the vintage towns of Peach Springs, Truxton, Valentine, and Hackberry.

Supai Motel in Seligman, Arizona,

December, 2004, Kathy Weiser

Also See: Ashfork to Hackberry 66 Road Gallery

Old West town in Seligman. Kathy Weiser, April, 2005.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

To Peach Springs

Return to Route 66

To Williams

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

We've been including great bumper sticker quotes in our newsletters since the beginning and many of you ask, why don't we sell them. Now we do!