The Flagstaff Railroad Addition Historic District is significant because of its association with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway as well as U.S. Route 66. The original boundary was roughly bounded by Santa Fe RR tracks, Agassiz and Beaver Sts., Birch and Aspen Avenues. The district was expanded twice to add nine buildings along Phoenix Avenue from Beaver Street to San Francisco Avenue, and a building at 122 East Route 66. Also includes 1986 and 1997 boundary increases.
Disastrous fires swept through early Flagstaff; in 1897, the city passed an ordinance requiring all buildings in the business area to be built of brick, stone or iron. .
Several of the buildings in the District are associated with well-known businessmen of the late 1800s and early 1900s. These include John W. Weatherford, who constructed the Weatherford Hotel, the Babbitt brothers David, George, William and Charles, whose names are associated with several buildings in the District, and Thomas E. Pollock Sr.
+Notable buildings in the Railroad Addition Historic District NameYear BuiltArchitectural StyleCommentsFlagstaff 1926 Depot1926Revival TudorBuilt during the boom years of the 1920s, and is now considered a symbol of Flagstaff. Today it is known as the Amtrak station and Visitor Center.McMillan Building1886Hotel built out of native stone and locally made brick; bank located at cornerRaymond Building1911Dr. Raymond was one of Flagstaff's earliest physicians; Moencopi sandstone around doorLoy Building1897Loy was an attorneyCitizen's Bank Building1903Constructed of Moencopi sandstoneFlagstaff Telephone Exchange1909Was the first major telephone office; built by John Weatherford; reverted to restaurant in 1930; constructed of Moencopi sandstone Weatherford HotelFirst section made 1898 and second section made in 1899Considered to be a downtown anchor since 1900; constructed of Moencopi sandstoneCoalter Building1898Flagstaff's first Post OfficePollock Building1900–03Flagstaff's first library on the second floorBabbitt Building #11907Flagstaff's second Post Office located here; constructed of tufaBabbitt Building #21911Elks Hall1899The Elks occupied the top floor; the first bowling alley in Flagstaff was in the basement; ground floor was a drug storeCoconino Sun Building1926The Sun Newspaper has been Flagstaff's newspaper since 1891; it was moved to this location to make room for the Monte Vista HotelBikker Building #11917Originally a harness shop; unusual shell of pebble siding added laterBikker Building #21917First floor to house JCPenney, the first chain to come to Flagstaff; second floor Odd Fellows hallMonte Vista Hotel1926The construction on this hotel was a community effort, in 1926 raising $200,000 within 60 daysRiordan Building1917NeoclassicalFlagstaff's 3rd Post OfficeBabbitt Brothers Building1888Was originally a department store; it has been expanded many times, and restored to original appearance in 1990Babbitt's Garage1915The Babbitt brothers constructed this for automobiles, using reinforced concrete: a first for the areaMasonic Temple1917Upper story housed the temple; ground floors and basement were rentalsFederal Building1936Federal Modern styleFlagstaff's fifth Post OfficeHawks Building1897Nackard Building1922Location of fourth Post officeBrannen Building #31887Housed town's first physician, D. J. Brannen, who had office and drug store hereBrannen Building #51883P.J. Brannen was first store owner to set up business in Flagstaff; the building burned once but was rebuilt using original stonesVail Building1888Art DecoMost of Flagstaff's first businesses were saloons, catering to railroad workers; brawls and shootings were common; building made of brick, but stuccoed in 1939Donahue Building1888Originally a saloon, and was owned by one of Flagstaff's most colorful characters, Sandy Donahue; built of brick and stuccoed in the 1930sSanta Fe Depot 18891889Flagstaff's first train depot; in 1886, wooden depot destroyed by fire; present building made of Moencopi sandstone
References