Flagstaff is located in northern Arizona near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It has a four-season climate and is among the highest cities in the U.S. with an elevation of almost 7,000 feet. It is bordered on the western side by the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest on earth at an elevation of 6910 ft. Flagstaff is also adjacent to 9,299 ft (2834 m) Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. The San Fransisco Peaks are home to Agassiz, Fremont and Doyle Peaks summits with its highest point – 12,643-foot Humphrey's Peak, located about 10 miles north of Flagstaff. It has the shape of a horseshoe, and was once a 16,000 foot volcano.
The name of Flagstaff came into being on July 4 1876, as members of a scouting party from Boston were celebrating the United States Centennial. It refers to a Ponderosa Pine that was stripped of its branches, and was used to hang a U.S. Flag for the celebration. People could see it from miles away.
Flagstaff became a symbol, a landmark and, eventually, a name. It is the county seat of Coconino County, an important railroad town, and home to Lowell Observatory and Northern Arizona University.
About 940 years ago, the area's original settlers, the Sinagua people (sin agua is "without water") first watched the ground break open at what is now Sunset Crater as it sprayed a geyser of molten rock on and off. This went on for as long as 200 years. The ensuing ash, which improved the dry lands' farming ability,ultimately drew other tribes to the Wupatki Basin.
Among the newcomers were the Anasazi, who are believed to have shown the Sinagua how to build pueblos. Some of the pueblos can be found northeast of Flagstaff as the main attractions of Wupatki National Monument.
Thomas F. McMillan, who arrived in 1876 built his cabin near a spring, at the base of Mars Hill. He is recognized as being the town's first permanent inhabitant.
Flagstaff began to grow, and by 1886 became the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the West Coast. It's economy consisted consisted of timber, sheep and cattle with a booming railroad industry.
In 1891 Coconino County was established and Flagstaff had grown to 1,500. The U.S. Forest Service set up their regional headquarters, among other governmental offices. Flagstaff was becoming the second-largest county seat in the United States.
In 1894, astronomer Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff to build the now famous Lowell Observatory, primarily due to its high altitude and good astronomical seeing conditions. In 1930 it became internationally known, as the Planet Pluto was discovered. The Northern Arizona Normal School was established in 1899, which later became Northern Arizona University in 1966.
During the 1920s, Route 66 was built and passed through the city making Flagstaff a popular tourist and vacation stop. In 1928 Flagstaff was incorporated as a city, and today is a thriving community and gateway to the Grand Canyon.
