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Flagstaff
City Guide
In
the mid-1800s,
a expedition
party led
by General
William
Palmer rode
into the
scenic area
below the
San Francisco
Peaks to
scout routes
for the
Atlantic
& Pacific
Railroads.
Impressed
with the
"pure air
and fine
weather",
the General
wrote: "It
has every
attraction:
health,
scenery,
sky, elevation,
climate
and proximity
to the greatest
natural
curiosity
on this
continent
... the
Grand Canyon."
It's still
an apt description
of the region
today.
Thomas
F. McMillan,
a Tennessean
and wily
adventurer,
was among
the first
settlers
in the area.
In the summer
of 1876,
McMillan
hosted a
group of
Boston pilgrims
journeying
west. To
celebrate
the July
4th Centennial,
legend has
it that
the pilgrims
trimmed
the bark
from a tall
pine tree,
then used
it as a
staff for
the American
flag. Left
standing,
the staff
became a
much used
trail marker.
When, in
1881, a
post office
and a tiny
tent camp
was erected,
the settlers
agreed to
name the
area "Flag
Staff."
The name
stuck.
Today,
Flagstaff
(called
"Flag" by
the locals)
is the seat
of Coconino
County.
At an elevation
of almost
7,000 feet,
Flagstaff
is among
the highest
cities in
the U.S.
It has a
distinct
four-season
climate
and boasts
the highest
point in
the state:
12,643-foot
Humphreys
Peak. Summer
temperatures
average
20 degrees
cooler than
Phoenix
and winter
affords
some of
the best
skiing in
the Southwest.
The city
is surrounded
by the Coconino
National
Forest,
a picturesque
region of
pine trees,
lakes and
rivers.
In the historic
downtown
area, you
can wander
among quiet
cafes, antique
shops and
other specialty
establishments
housed in
well-tended,
turn-of-the-century
buildings.
ATTRACTIONS
- The
Arboretum
at Flagstaff
occupies
200 acres
of ponderosa
pine forest
with a
visitor
center,
gift shop,
children's
garden,
wildflower
meadow,
herb garden
and solar
greenhouse.
(928)
774-1442.
- The
Lowell
Observatory
features
hands-on
exhibits
and a
scenic
campus.
Tours
and programs
offered
year round.
(928)
774-2096.
- The
Museum
of Northern
Arizona
provides
a good
introduction
to the
native
peoples
and natural
science
of the
Colorado
Plateau
region.
(928)
774-5211.
- In winter,
the Arizona
Snowbowl
features
2,300
feet of
vertical
drop,
average
snowfall
of 260
inches,
31 trails,
4 chairlifts,
full service
rental
shop.
Located
14 miles
north
of Flagstaff.
(928)
779-1951.
- Other
popular
sites
nearby
include
the dormant
volcanos
at Sunset
Crater
National
Monument,
the Indian
ruins
at Wupatki
and Walnut
Canyon,
and Meteor
Crater
(the world's
largest).
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