The 1879 GLO map of Township 20 North, Range 7 East shows the area where much of current day Flagstaff is located. I've just included a portion of the map. I've added the current interstates and highways to make it easier to compare with the 2017 image. The 1879 map shows only one structure which is located in Section 16, right below a wetland area. This wetland must be part of the Rio de Flag. Antelope Spring, located at the base of what is now known as Mars Hill, is located in the southwest quarter of Section 16. This spring was the original water source for Flagstaff. It is located directly adjacent to the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. The full map shows a road labeled as "overland road". A portion of it can be seen on the above map in Sections 16, 20 and 21. I believe this is the Beale Wagon Road.
The townsite of Flagstaff became estabished when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was completed in 1882. The GLO map was produce just three years prior to the railroad being completed. The photo below shows what the town looked like in 1883.
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| Flagstaff, 1883. Ben Wittick collection from the Library of Congress. |
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