Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Flagstaff's Founding
Flagstaff was a name on a map before the area had any significant population. The first permanent settler was Thomas F. McMillan who arrived sometime in 1876. On July 4, 1876, a party of emigrants traveling from Boston to California was camped at Antelope Springs, near McMillan's homestead and in the vicinity of present-day Marshall Elementary School. In honor of the nation's Centennial, the emigrants stripped the limbs from a tall Ponderosa Pine tree and hoisted Old Glory. This event gave Flagstaff its name.
In 1881, the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad was being constructed westward from Albuquerque along the 35th Parallel to California. The first train pulled into Flagstaff in August 1882. At the same time, a lumber mill had been built by Chicago industrialist Edward E. Ayer to take advantage of the abundance of timber in the Flagstaff area. The railroad and the lumber industry together created the settlement we know as Flagstaff.
A small tent city grew up beside the railroad tracks near Old Town Spring, along present-day Lower Coconino Avenue. The town was relocated to New Town (the present-day downtown area) in 1882.
James E. Babbitt
Businessman
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1876.
Location. 35° 11.913′ N, 111° 38.897′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is in the ground at Heritage Square, near the Hopi Building, along Aspen Avenue east of Leroux Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Biology (a few steps from this marker); Weatherford Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Babbitt Brothers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Telephone Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagstaff's Third Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Verkamp Building (about 300 feet away); Raymond Building (about 300 feet away); Ricket & Brooks Bldg. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.
Also see . . . Heritage Square History. (Submitted on April 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.