Santa Fe Railway Freight Depot

The railroad is why Williams exists, and 1901 was its biggest year. This brick freight depot went up then, the town's first, and in the same year the Santa Fe finished a branch line north to the rim of the Grand Canyon. For decades the easy way to the canyon was to step off the transcontinental train at Williams and ride the spur to the edge. Passenger service died in 1968 as cars took over, but the Grand Canyon Railway was revived in 1989 and runs to this day.

What the plaque says

Santa Fe Railway Freight Depot. . Built in 1901, this brick structure was the first train depot in Williams. After the Fray Marcos depot was built in 1908, this building took on freight arriving to and departing from Williams. It was moved here from across the railroad tracks in 1914 to make way for the old trails highway.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Williams — steps away
  The last town on Route 66 to lose its traffic to the interstate — a rail gateway to the Grand Canyon since 1901, bypassed only in 1984 after a court fight, and revived twice over.
• Oak Creek Canyon — 32 mi
  The switchback drive from red rock to ponderosa on State Route 89A

More markers nearby

• Last Town Bypassed by I-40 — steps away
• Grand Canyon Hotel — steps away
• The "World Famous" Sultana — steps away
• DelSue Motor Inn — 0.2 mi