The Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company and Williams Arizona

  THE RAILROAD STATIONS OF WILLIAMS, ARIZONA According to Richard Meltzer's book "Fred Harvey Houses of the Southwest"(Images of America series, Arcadia Publishing,) in 1894, Fred Harvey "took over the operation of a restaurant" that had serviced passengers since 1884 (more on that later.) In the early years of railroad passenger travel, dining services were less than desirable.  The Santa Fe entered an agreement with Fred Harvey to operate their restaurants, which he did with exceptional and legendary skill. According to this fine book, the Fray Marcos Hotel and restaurant was opened in Williams on March 10, 1908. The name honored Father Fray Marcos de Niza. The interior was decorated with Native American style art and western styled furniture.   Two views of the then new station complex. The station and restaurant can be seen in the first image; the expanded hotel complex in the second (Postcards; Author's Collection.) (Following are Sanborn Insurance Maps