City history
From its origins as a railroad waypoint to its status as a global hub for astronomical observation, Flagstaff's history is deeply tied to the sky and the expansion of the American West.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"A pole used to fly a flag"
The settlement was named after a flagstaff planted by Atlantic and Pacific Railroad workers to mark the townsite's location.
Railroad marker
Named after a flagstaff used by railroad workers to demarcate the site.
Chapter two
The expansion of the railroad helped transition the American West toward standardized timekeeping to coordinate train schedules.
Arizona officially opted out of Daylight Saving Time, ensuring Flagstaff remains on Mountain Standard Time throughout the entire year.
Chapter three
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reached the area in 1882, providing the vital transportation link that catalyzed the growth of this mountain settlement.
Percival Lowell established the observatory in 1894, transforming Flagstaff into a world-renowned center for astronomical research and celestial discovery.
Flagstaff was officially incorporated as a town in 1897, establishing a formal local government to manage its growing population.
NASA utilized the unique volcanic terrain of Cinder Hills near Flagstaff to train Apollo astronauts for lunar surface missions.