Realty Executives of Northern Arizona
Nestled at 7,000 feet near the base of the San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff reigns as the mountain jewel in the crown of the desert state of Arizona. It beckons with its clear air, cool pine forests, and proximity to historic and natural attractions. Flagstaff is a region settled by varied cultures and built by strong men and women pioneers that made this city what it is today.
A Stripped Pine Tree Becomes a Landmark
Soon after Arizona became American territory from Mexico in 1848, the U.S. Congress began to explore the Nation's new territories, sending out various parties to find resources, make maps and locate paths. Between 1857 and 1860, 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. The travelers noted Flagstaff's resources as a treasure chest, but its isolation meant no nearby markets for farm products, meat or lumber and no way to ship goods to distant markets.
One such party of emigrants came from Boston in 1876. 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, 1876, the group camped at a small spring with the peaks looming overhead. In honor of the nation's centennial, they stripped a pine tree of its branches and bark and raised an American flag. When they moved on, their "flag staff" became a landmark for those who followed.
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.
Stay tuned for Early History of Flagstaff Part 2: The Coming of the Railroad!
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