Given its rather unusual name, it should come as no surprise to learn that there is a tale to be told about how Flagstaff, Arizona came by its name.
Back in the 1870s, stories about Arizona’s fertile farmland as well as its hospitable climate were spreading throughout New England. In 1876, these stories convinced Bostonian settlers to set out for the Little Colorado River in northern Arizona.
When they arrived, they found the site occupied by Mormon settlers out of Utah, which convinced them to continue westward to what was then called McMillan Ranch. There, the Bostonian settlers cut down a Ponderosa Pine tree, trimmed it of its branches, and then used it to raise the flag of the United States, which has been brought with them to celebrate the Centennial out in the frontier.
Since that time, Flagstaff has spread to encompass a significant stretch of the Colorado Plateau’s southwestern edge. To its east lies a contiguous forest of the same Ponderosa Pines encountered by the Bostonian settlers, while to its north rise the San Francisco Peaks, which claim the honor of being the highest mountain range in the state.
Given this prime location, it is no wonder that more and more people are heading to Flagstaff, thus making it one of the United States’ most up-and-coming cities.
This Is What Living In Flagstaff, AZ Is Like
In the earliest period of its existence, Flagstaff residents made their living by cutting timber as well as raising both sheep and cattle, which was a natural combination because one paved the way for the other.
These two economic sectors fueled the city’s expansion, thus enabling it to secure a position as one of the places where the railroad that connected Albuquerque with the West Coast would pass through when it was completed in the 1880s.
In turn, this enabled it to secure a position as one of the places where US Route 66 would pass through as well when it was completed in the 1920s.
The sheer volume that passed through these two routes ensured Flagstaff’s future because wherever people went, business followed in their wake. Something that is as true now as it was then.
In the present, cutting timber and raising livestock have faded from prominence in preference for other economic sectors. For example, a number of major manufacturers such as Nestlé, Joy Cone, and SCA Tissue base themselves in Flagstaff because its strategic location enables them to ship their products in an efficient and effective manner.
However, it is interesting to note that Flagstaff is also known for its education sector as well as its tourism sector, which show that it is more than just a logistical hub. The first had its start in 1896 with the Lowell Observatory but was bolstered in time by the future Northern Arizona University in 1899 and the US Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station in 1955.
In contrast, the second started when Flagstaff was connected to the railroad system, resulting in a rush of people interested in seeing the Grand Canyon. Some of the hotels that sprung up to cater to their needs have been in existence for so long that they are now sites of historical value in their own right, while their modern counterparts continue to spring up on a regular basis as tourists continue to flock to the region.
Another part of Flagstaff’s allure as one of the United States’ most up-and-coming cities is its thriving arts scene, which is, once again, connected to its involvement with the railroad system as well as US Route 66. After all, where there are people, there will also be artists seeking to entertain as well as broaden their horizons.
From a musical perspective, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is probably the city’s most famous institution. In total, it numbers at least 75 members, which enable it to hold a full calendar of events for interested individuals. Despite the popular perception of the city’s orchestras, it is interesting to note that the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra goes out of its way to cater to myriads of demographics, as shown by its Halloween concerts for younger audiences.
However, Flagstaff’s diversity is reflected in its wide number of musical institutions other than the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, with examples ranging from Orpheum Theater and Heritage Square to a number of music festivals that are held on a regular basis.
Of the former two, Orpheum Theater hosts regular shows by some of the biggest and the best bands in the world, while Heritage Square offers more casual events for people who want something to spend their time on while in summer.
Similarly, Flagstaff music festivals range from the bluegrass-oriented Pickin’ in the Pines to both the Flagstaff Music Festival and the Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music Festival, with more and more bolstering their number as Flagstaff charms more and more people into making it their permanent home.
Of course, there is more to Flagstaff’s arts scene than just music. For example, its theater groups are known to put on a regular succession of shows in a number of theater situated across the city. The most famous is probably the Northern Arizona University Department of Theater, which has its shows on campus, but there is also both the Theatrikos Theatre Company and the Flagstaff Light Opera Company. Likewise, there are also a number of dance companies in the city that collaborate with their counterparts in other mediums to put on concerts as well as other artistic performances for the viewing pleasure of interested individuals.