Kingman, the county seat of Mohave County, is located between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon and was established in the early 1880's with the arrival of the railroad. It also serves as the transportation corridor to the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim.

    Kingman's popularity is maintained as the main stop on the longest existing stretch of Historic Route 66 - the first completely paved national highways in the country. Linking hundreds of towns and cities between Chicago and Los Angeles, Route 66 formed the main street of towns along its route, thus its nickname " Main Street of America."  Today travelers can traverse some 158 miles of historic roadway beginning west of Ashfork, continuing through Seligman, Peach Springs, Valentine, Truxton, Hackberry and on to Kingman and through Oatman to Topock.

    At the junction of I-40 and US 93, Kingman is an access point to lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu. Ghost towns surround this former gold-mining community. Towns such as Oatman and Chloride were business and social centers for surrounding mining camps during the early 20th century. With many of their original buildings still standing, Oatman and Chloride draw both filmmakers and tourists. In Oatman, visitors may even hand-feed the burros-descendants of those left behind by early-day miners-that roam the town's streets. From Kingman, Oatman is reached by SR 66 (Old Route 66). Chloride is north of Kingman on SR 93 at mile marker 53, 4 miles off the highway on CR 125.

    Upon leaving Kingman, we took I-40 east to AZ exit 51 then AZ 66 east looking for trains. This is old US 66.

    The Amtrak station is located in Williams Junction, AZ which is three miles away from this station. Shuttle service provided by Grand Canyon Railway.

    Williams was named after William (Bill) Shirley Williams, the early mountain man who guided trapping parties and expeditions through the wilderness. Primarily a resort town, Williams marks the beginning of the major entrance route to Grand Canyon National Park. The town is at the base of Bill Williams Mountain and boasts an 18-hole golf course and a ski area offering both downhill and cross-country skiing. In the surrounding Kaibab National Forest cross-country skiing and hiking are popular.

    Grand Canyon Railway, .5mi s. of I-40 exit 163, offers round-trip excursions through grassy plains and pine forests to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon aboard 1950's-era passenger cars powered by vintage diesel locomotives. Strolling musicians, Western characters and mock train robbery provide entertainment during the ride.

    Passengers arrive at the 1910 Grand Canyon Depot, in the historic district at the South Rim; the depot is the only working log depot in the country.

    Leaving Williams, we again head east on I-40 to our last stop for the day, Flagstaff.  In Flagstaff we take exit 195 -AZ 89 then north on US 180 to the Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum which has Southwest Forest 2-6-6-2  12 on display.

    The museum is in a former hospital for the indigent built in 1908 and contains interpretive historical exhibits about livestock, medicine, domestic life and the lumbering industry in northern Arizona. A 1908 homesteader's cabin, a 1929 Baldwin articulated locomotive and a 1940's Santa Fe caboose are on the premises.

    Next we went back to the center of town to the Flagstaff Railroad Depot on SR 66 between S. San Francisco and S. Beaver streets, opened in 1926.

    Flagstaff rests on the Colorado Plateau under the gaze of the San Francesco Peaks amid ponderosa pine forests, high deserts and lakes. Dusted with snow in winter and wildflowers in summer, the mountains provide a scenic backdrop for what was once a mere rest stop.

    The town was established in 1881. The name Flagstaff is believed to refer to a ponderosa pine tree that was stripped of its branches and used as a flagstaff by members of an exploration party during Fourth of July celebrations in 1876. The flagstaff, visible from afar, remained in place to serve as a landmark for wagon trains bound for California; transients knew that they would find a good place to camp when they spotted it.

    Shepherd Thomas F. McMillan, said to be the town's first permanent resident, deemed the lane perfect for raising sheep when he arrived in 1876. Early industry revolved around timber, sheep and cattle, but when the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Co. (now the Santa Fe) decided to merge with the Southern Pacific line, settlers again put out their welcome mats, providing water and supplies to the railroad crews. The railroad reached Flagstaff in 1882. The Flagstaff Railroad Depot opened in 1926. Impressive with its Revival Tudor style, it now houses the Flagstaff Visitors Center and an Amtrak station. 

    Leaving the center of Flagstaff and the robust Friday nightlife, we made our way to the motel to rest after a long first day.

   
    Thanks for reading.