Flagstaff Off The Beaten Path Tips by Yaqui Top 5 Page for this destination

Church of the Nativity

When wondering around, this beautiful grey stone Catholic Church caught my eye. I could tell immediately that it was very historical due to its Gothic architecture. The original church was built in 1888 on Beaver and Ellery Street with much of the brick lying was done by Father Carlo M. Ferrari. The first service was held Christmas Eve in 1888 and hence came the name, “Church of the Nativity.” Yet, as the town grew, so was the need for a larger church. So around 1911 the structure was moved to another temporary site and then to its present day site and was completed in 1930.

Tours are very welcome and still hold regular masses.

Corner of Cherry Avenue & Beaver Street

Exit onto from Route 66

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.arizona-leisure.com/flagstaff-historic-downtown.html

Orpheum Theatre

I am never so happy to see old theatres being revitalized and maintained. There are almost like a time capsule when you walk into them. I know the Fox theatre in Bakersfield and a couple of historic theatres in the Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas are so beautiful inside. You can almost hear past whispers of the people who frequented them during their heyday. Originally called the Majestic Opera House in 1911, this theatre was owned by John Weatherford who also owned the beautiful Weatherford Hotel next door. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the city of Flagstaff with showing of movies, but in the winter of 1915 New Years morning the roof fell in from the overload of snow. The theatre did find temporary quarters until in 1917 when it was rebuilt in grandeur and renamed the Orpheum Theatre. Unfortunately, like many old historic theatres, the Orpheum fell on hard times and the doors closed in 1990’s. There she sat for some time, until someone would love and restored her to her old self in 2002. Now she is enjoyed by a whole new generation and hopefully into the future.

15 W. Aspen St - Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Between Leroux and San Franscico Street off of Route 66, just behind Weatherford Hotel

Phone: (928) 556-1580

Website: http://www.orpheumpresents.com/

Downtown Murals

As we wondered around a bit, I came upon just a couple of murals. I am sure this lovely city has more. So the time next I visit I will explore more and add them.

One of the funkiest murals I have seen was located in Heritage Square: Aspen Ave between Leroux St. and San Francisco St.

The other is located on 23 N. Beaver St., Midgley's 1926 Building - A Noah’s Ark mural. I like it!

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org

Flagstaff Arizona Historical Marker

The marker reads” Named for a pine tree stripped of its branches by a party of immigrants and used as a flagpole for a patriotic celebration on July 4, 1875. Nearby Antelope or Old Town Spring provided water and lead to the establishment a railroad construction camp when the Atlantic & Pacific pushed west in 1882.”Arizona Development Board 1961

Located on the corner of Beaver St and Route 66 next to the Chamber of Commerce Buidling.

Be careful, lots of traffic on this corner!

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org

Logging Wheels

These wheels were restored in 2003 by the Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum. Originally built by S.C. Overpack Carriage Works of Manistee, Mich., between 1880-1910.

Logging wheels were first used by farms around 1870 to clear the trees from there land. Then when the lumber industry began around 1880’s along with a team of horses, once the trees were felled, cut down, the wheels were backed over the logs and horses were disconnected. The tongue of the wheels was then lifted into the air and chain was run under the logs and up to hooks on top of the axle. As the axle was pulled back down, it lifted the logs off the ground. A chain was then run around the front of the logs and the tongue to prevent the tongue from flipping back up. The horses were then re-harnessed to the wheels and the logs were pulled out of the woods to the railroad for shipment to the mill.

Please read the plaques that many displays have, you learn so much from them. Its where I get much of my information.

Burlington-Santa Fe Railroad depot on South Beaver Ave and Route 66

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org

Baldwin Steam Engine No. 25

Engine No.25 was purchased in 1917 by the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company, which it proudly served. It was eventually purchase in 1995 by the city of Flagstaff and now serves as a reminder of all those who worked so hard to make Flagstaff what it is today. This is a really nice display and you can tell the volunteers took their time and lovingly restored her to her former glory.

Located right off of Route 66 just down from the Visitor Center

Visitor Center
One East Route 66
Flagstaff, Az 86001

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org

Freight Depot (Original Railroad Depot)

This lovely stone building was built around 1883-89 as another depot for passengers and freight, when the railroad decided it was prudent to move it from the original town site half a mile east to its present day site, so the trains did not have to start up on the steep hillside. What was so significant about this was many merchants moved their businesses across the road so they could capitalize on attracting potential customers arriving from the trains and the convenience of supplies. This prompted a whole new town site and soon became the main town site after the old town site was devastated by a fire in 1884.

There is a lovely little courtyard right on the corner with a wonderful statue and benches to enjoy the day.

One East Route 66
Flagstaff, Az 86001

On the corner of San Francisco St. and Route 66.

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org

Heritage Square

When we were strolling along, we came upon this huge square. It had some lovely benches to sit on. A couple people were enjoying them by reading a book in the warm sun that day. I found out they have concerts here during the summer months, plays, and movie nights too. Seems like a great area to just hang out in.

On Aspen Ave between Leroux St. and San Francisco St.

Exit off of Route 66 onto either Leroux St. and San Francisco St.

Phone: 928-853-4292

Website: http://www.heritagesquaretrust.org

Downtown Flagstaff Historic District 1890

On the way from Sedona, we stopped and explored. All my boys wanted to do first was eat so I made the command decision to stop and look for a restaurant. As we strolled around, we eventually came to a restaurant in the Weatherford. Yet, as we were looking around for that bite to eat, my family thought the old down town area was wonderful. It does my heart good to see that so many cities are maintaining their heritage or at least trying to revitalize them. I love exploring them. You could see many shops, art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and so much more. Lots of college kids roaming around and enjoying the outdoors.

Visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center and Amtrak Station
(Historic Train Station 1926)
One East Route 66
Flagstaff, Az 86001

For more information!

Just off of Route 66, turn onto Leroux St. or San Francisco St.

Phone: 800-842-7293

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org