Historic Downtown District

Historic Downtown District Review

Storied Route 66 runs right through the heart of downtown Flagstaff. The late-Victorian, Tudor Revival, and early-art deco architecture in this district recall the town's heyday as a logging and railroad center.

Santa Fe Depot. The Santa Fe Depot now houses the visitor center for the Historic District. 1 E. Rte. 66, 86001.

Hotel Monte Vista. Highlights include the 1927 Hotel Monte Vista, built after a community drive raised $200,000 in 60 days. The construction was promoted as a way to bolster the burgeoning tourism in the region, and the hotel was held publicly until the early 1960s 100 N. San Francisco St., 86001. www.hotelmontevista.com.

Babbitt Brothers Building. The 1888 Babbitt Brothers Building was constructed as a building-supply store and then turned into a department store by David Babbitt, the mastermind of the Babbitt empire. The Babbitts are one of Flagstaff's wealthiest founding families. Bruce Babbitt, the most recent member of the family to wield power and influence, was the governor of Arizona from 1978 through 1987 and Secretary of the Interior under President Clinton (1993-2001). 12 E. Aspen Ave., 86001.

Vail Building. Most of the area's first businesses were saloons catering to railroad construction workers, which was the case with the 1888 Vail Building, a brick art deco-influenced structure covered with stucco in 1939. Crystal Magic, a New Age shop, is the building's current tenant. 5 N. San Francisco St., 86001.