Ash Fork: Route 66, Railroads, and Historic Trails

Ash Fork’s history can be traced through Route 66, the railroad, and Flagstone sandstone. Buildings, historic sidewalks, and a walking tour with information panels give these topics different points of focus. Fay’s Trail and Centennial Park also offer practical details to help plan the rest of your trip.

Route 66 and Railroad History

The Ash Fork Route 66 Historic Museum is housed in a building made of Moenkopi sandstone, built in 1926. It once served as a Route 66 maintenance station. The section of Historic Route 66 near Ash Fork is also precisely identified: it lies between mile markers 146 and 144. The road’s connections therefore range from the museum building’s former purpose to the designated route.

Ash Fork’s Historic Walk features 18 panels presenting 150 years of local history. The surviving Flagstone sidewalks offer another glimpse of the town’s development: they date to the 1930s and were original Works Progress Administration projects. The arrival of the railroad helped establish Ash Fork’s Flagstone sandstone trade. Together, the buildings and the town’s economic and transportation history are highlighted along the walking tour and in the town’s story.

The Santa Fe Water Tower supplied water from Del Rio Springs to steam locomotives and the town. Stone Dam was built by the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad in 1911; the Ash Fork Settlers’ Cemetery was established that same year. A tour of historic buildings in Ash Fork includes, among other sites, the DeSoto car on the roof, the Green Door Bar, and Zettler’s Market. The Ash Fork Bainbridge Steel Dam is also nearby. It is considered the world’s first major steel dam and is the only one of three built in the United States that still holds water.

Fay’s Trail and Centennial Park

Fay’s Trail runs about 0.35 miles from the Stone Dam parking area to the Steel Dam and is designated for non-motorized use. Trail features include an information area with a kiosk, additional signage, and benches at a viewpoint. The details about its length, endpoints, and permitted use distinguish the trail from the Historic Walk, whose 18 panels present the town’s history.

Centennial Park offers sandstone benches, a playground, and views of the trains passing through Ash Fork. The practical details for planning therefore differ: the Historic Walk focuses on history, Fay’s Trail on its stated route and permitted use, and the park on its combination of seating, a playground, and train views. These different features can be taken into account when choosing a place to stay in Ash Fork.

Discover more destinations: Clarkdale, Prescott Valley, Prescott, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Jerome, Seligman, Lake Montezuma

For the broader travel overview: Yavapai.