Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Santa Fe Depot
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
1. Santa Fe Depot Marker
"Won't you be one of the 25,000 visitors at the Grand Canyon of Arizona this summer? It is the world's scenic wonder - nothing like it."
Santa Fe Railroad brochure, 1914.
The Santa Fe train whistle that was heard here on September 17, 1901, signaled the end of Grand Canyon's frontier days. A $3.50 train ride now replaced a $20.00, full-day, jolting stagecoach ride. In coming decades, Santa Fe promotions nationwide would encourage visitors to come by rail. By the thousands, they did.
The railroad opened Grand Canyon to the world. The Santa Fe Depot, built in 1909, greeted rail patrons for 59 years. But the railroad's operation went well beyond trains. At Grand Canyon the Santa Fe offered hotels, Fred Harvey meals, and a wide range of sightseeing options. And for more than 30 years Santa Fe tank cars delivered water, vital on Grand Canyon's waterless south rim.
In the 1950s automobiles doomed rail travel. The Santa Fe stopped passenger service here in 1968. In 1989 limited service resumed in the form of excursion trains, not associated with the Santa Fe. Today the National Park Service maintains the
this page online
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1828.
Location. 36° 3.408′ N, 112° 8.203′ W. Marker is in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is at the station, on the trackside platform, off Village Loop Drive in Grand Canyon Village. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Canyon AZ 86023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grand Canyon Depot (here, next to this marker); El Tovar (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); El Tovar Hotel (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named El Tovar Hotel (about 400 feet away); Hopi House (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Hopi House (about 400 feet away); Verkamp's Curios (about 500 feet away); CCC Legacy (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Canyon National Park.
Also see . . .
1. Grand Canyon National Park. (Submitted on January 8, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
2. Santa Fe Depot National Historic Landmark Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
3. Santa Fe Depot and Marker
circa 1939
4. Photo on Santa Fe Depot Marker
[Caption reads] Visitors arrive at Grand Canyon, circa 1939. Notice the number of rail cars. For many years most visitors came by train.
circa 1915
5. Photo on Santa Fe Depot Marker
[Caption reads] The Santa Fe crew posed at the depot, circa 1915.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
6. Santa Fe Depot Outdoor Waiting Area
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
7. Santa Fe Depot Ticket Window
Photographed By NPS photo, circa 1910
8. 1910 Postcard of Santa Fe Depot
Framed photo inside waiting area. Caption reads: Seen in this 1910 post card view, the new depot just after opening. Note the spelling of Cañon in the southwestern Spanish tradition. This sign lasted just a few short months. Although much of their decor around the country continued to reflect Spanish influences, the Santa Fe changed this sign to conform with a system-wide policy that required the use of English.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2010
9. Grand Canyon Railway Train at Santa Fe Depot
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 25, 2002
10. Santa Fe Depot
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 17, 2006
11. Santa Fe Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 943 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 8, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 10, 11. submitted on January 8, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
