Seligman in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Beale Wagon Road

Seligman, Arizona

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 16, 2023

1. Beale Wagon Road Marker

Inscription. From 1857 to 1860 Lt. Edward F. Beale and a crew of 100 men built the first federal highway in the southwest. The 1857 Beale Expedition used 22 camels and dromedaries for pack animals. This road went from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Los Angeles, California at a cost of $210,000. The Beale Wagon Road was used by military troops and emigrants en route to California. Herds of cattle and sheep were driven over the route until 1883.

Information compiled by Jack Beale Smith

Erected 1993 by Lost Dutchman Ch. 5917, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 35° 19.594′ N, 112° 52.52′ W. Marker is in Seligman, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is at the intersection of Chino Street (Arizona Route 66) and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Chino Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seligman AZ 86337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Verde Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona (about 700 feet away).

Another marker

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is no longer nearby. Delgadillo's Snow Cap (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. A series of markers documenting the Army's Great Western Camel Experiment.

Also see . . .
1. The Beale Wagon Road. In 1857, Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale was assigned the job of building a wagon road across New Mexico and Arizona near the 35th parallel. Beale had had many years’ experience in the west, first with the U.S. Navy in California, then with Kit Carson and John C. Fremont, and later, on government business and explorations in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and California. (Submitted on June 16, 2010.)

2. Route 66 in Arizona. In 1857, Congress commissioned LT. Ned Beale to survey and identify a wagon road from Fort Defiance in New Mexico to the Colorado River. His route would become known as the Beale Wagon Road across Arizona. Perhaps what makes Beale’s expedition so noteworthy in western annals is that he used camels instead of horses! (Submitted on June 16, 2010.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 8, 2010

2. Beale Wagon Road Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 8, 2010

3. Beale Wagon Road Marker

Close up photo of map on marker.

Photographed by Randi, may 2026

4. Beale Wagon Road Marker

100 year anniversary of Route 66 in Seligman,AZ

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,951 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. Photos: 1. submitted on December 14, 2023, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Randi of Seligman, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.