The Old West thrives in the historic trails and rails town of Williams, Arizona.
The northern Arizona town of Williams got off to a fast start after its founding in 1881. With the arrival of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad (future Santa Fe Railway) the following year, it became a center for mining, ranching and lumber, with saloons, brothels and a few opium dens tossed in.
In 1901, the railroad laid track to the Grand Canyon, adding tourism to its economy. Later, so did the automobile and the advent of cross country travel on Route 66.
But the Grand Canyon Railroad stopped operating in 1968, and in 1984, Interstate 40 allowed travelers to bypass Williams altogether.
With reason to board up and blow away, the town held on.
“We’ve got a lot of grit,” say Mayor John Moore. “We’re a small town with a big heart.”
The most popular attraction today is the Grand Canyon Railway, reopened in 1989. The train departs the Williams Depot every morning for the 65-mile trip to the South Rim. Travelers disembark 300 yards from the canyon and the most spectacular views anywhere.
Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av True West.
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Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av True West.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Where Did the Loot Go? - This is one of those find the money stories. And it's one that has attracted treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Whatever happened to the $97,000 from the Reno Gang's last heist? Up to a dozen members of the Reno Gang stopped a Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis train at a watering station in southern Indiana. The outlaws had prior intelligence about its main load: express car safes held about $97,000 in government bonds and notes. In the process of the job, one of the crew was killed and two others hurt. The gang made a clean getaway with the loot.
Hero of Horsepower - Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
From the Basin to the Plains
Discover Wyoming on a road trip to Cody, Casper and Cheyenne.
COLLECTING AMERICAN OUTLAWS
Wilbur Zink has preserved the Younger Gang's history in more ways than one.
Spencer's West
After the Civil War, savvy frontiersmen chose the Spencer repeating carbine.
Firearms With a Storied Past
Rock Island gavels off high profits from historic firearms.
She Means Business!
An energetic and ambitious woman has come to Lincoln, New Mexico, to restore the town's legendary Ellis Store.
Ride that Train!
HERITAGE RAILROADS KEEP THE OLD WEST ALIVE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Saddle Up with a Western
Old West fiction and nonfiction are the perfect genres to fill your summer reading list.
RENEGADES OF THE RAILS
RAILROADS WERE OPEN SEASON FOR OKLAHOMA AND INDIAN TERRITORY OUTLAW GANGS.
