THE PERMANENT RAILROAD STATIONS OF WILLIAMS, ARIZONA (UPDATED OCTOBER 2025.)

  THE PERMANENT RAILROAD STATIONS OF WILLIAMS, ARIZONA (10/25)

The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad officially arrived in Williams on September 1,1882. Prior to that there would have been construction crews working feverishly to prepare the roadbed for the track to be laid, and the building of various structures related to the railroad. 

The early history of stations and related depots in Williams, Arizona is somewhat murky. The published document authored by James Fuchs shows that even this author struggled with all of the sometimes-contradictory information that was contemporaneous for the time (Fuchs, James R. A History of Williams, Arizona 1876-1951; University of Arizona,1953. Internet PDF version available on-line.)

Most of this confusion stems from the definition of whether Williams was designated as a passenger district, and does that mean that accommodations were built at the onset of operations. Later, the Santa Fe stated that Williams was always considered a passenger district, as well as for freight. There are several indications that a passenger station was built in 1884, and another saying 1890 (Fuchs, pages 50,51;65; 70,71.) 

My statement has been that a boxcar first served as a temporary station until a more adequate depot was built. I cannot quote a certain source; it is like a fever, you know you have one but cannot define where you got it from. So, it is with historical research. However, in viewing the early primitive conditions from the existing images in Fuch's writings, it can be assumed that a box car would have been in use.

    

My research indicates that there were four permanent stations or depots that have served Williams:

 The wooden station complex indicated on the Sanborne map dated 1892

 Brick Depot, 1901-1908. Restored as the Williams Visitor Center.

 the Frey Marcos Harvey House, March 10, 1908-Currently in use for the Grand Canyon Railway.

 The Williams Junction station site; December 18, 1960-1969.

THE 1892 STATION COMPLEX

     

    The December 1892 Sanborn Insurance Map reveals the earliest permanent station complex at Williams. This complex was located to the north of the tracks, West from 2nd Street. The complex includes offices, a separate railroad depot, and a separate station dining room that included a pantry and kitchen. 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. This was more than likely the aforementioned restaurant. 

  In the early years of railroad passenger travel, dining services were less than desirable. After a successful experiment with one of the railroad's establishments, the Santa Fe contracted with Fred Harvey to manage all of their restaurants and hotels throughout their system. Through the efforts of Mr. Harvey, the Santa Fe was known for quality services that every traveler could enjoy from Chicago to California. 

    The map is significant, in that it defines the footprint of the accommodations built prior to the brick station. These structures likely were wooden buildings erected to provide basic facilities for the railroad.  Just south is a men's sleeping dormitory. Additional buildings are a water tower, pump house, and a basic engine servicing facility. All of these structures have been lost to time.  

THE 1901 BRICK STATION AND FREIGHT HOUSE

 A reasonably sized brick passenger station was built circa 1901, on the Atlantic and Pacific mainline in Williams (later the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.) This was probably the replacement for the old wooden structure possibly dating to 1884. With the opening of the Frey Marcos Hotel and station complex in 1908, the brick station was redundant. 

As the new station complex was being built, the City of Williams petitioned the Santa Fe to place a vehicle crossing over the tracks at Third Street. They countered with the offer of placing it on Second Street, to which the city agreed. This meant that the station had to be moved to its current location sometime prior to 1910. 

This resulted in the main north entry to the downtown area passed the red-light district. This may not have been what the city fathers intended; then again times were different back then.

(Sanborn Insurance Maps, Library of Congress Collection)

December 1902 shows the brick station to the North of 2nd Street, across the tracks. In order for 2nd to be extended, the station had to be moved 

This 1910 map shows the brick station moved to the current location, making way for the extension of 2nd Street, becoming Grand Canyon Avenue. This also provided direct access from the new Harvey House complex to the downtown area. 

Image: postcard, author's collection. 

View of the relocated station, circa 1960-70s. The stoplight no longer exists; it is now a three way stop-sign intersection.  The location is at the intersection of Grand Canyon and Railroad Avenues, diagonally across from the original "Red Light District" (maybe the streetlight had a different meaning?)

    Before, and after the move, old depot remained abandoned for some time, until a group of dedicated volunteers restored the depot, becoming the Williams Visitor Center. The interior walls were left exposed, so that you can see the brickwork and other details of construction. In addition to being a historic building in its own right, the center offers travel information by a friendly and well-informed staff. A small but well-designed museum provides the visitor with a glimpse into the history of Williams.

THE FRAY MARCOS HOTEL AND STATION COMPLEX

The Santa Fe entered an agreement with Fred Harvey to operate their restaurants, which he did with exceptional and legendary skill. The Author Richard Meltzer wrote an exceptional book on the Fred Harvey houses ("Fred Harvey Houses of the Southwest"; images of America Series; Arcadia Publishing.) According to him, 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.)

Maps 2 and 4, both dated October 1910, shows the location of the new station, Harvey House restaurant, and the relocated brick station. At one time, railroad housing extended east from the station towards the 2nd street crossing. All of this area is now paved and concreted-over.

Early photograph of a train arriving at the Williams Station complex (Arizona Memory Project; Williams Arizona collection.)

A photographer (based upon the camera and associated gear in the picture) trying to cavort with two Harvey Girls, near Williams. The women do not appear to be totally comfortable with the situation, as the man might be just a bit inebriated. The women were expected to be of good moral character, and any violations could cause immediate dismissal. 

(Arizona Memory Project; Williams Arizona collection.)

A contemporary view of the station and hotel complex, owned and operated by the Grand Canyon Railway. The new hotel is located behind the station.

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    There was also a third permanent station near Williams, at a place called Williams Junction, located East of town. This junction is where the Prescott line and the mainline merged, then proceeded east towards Flagstaff. The area where the station was located is on BNSF property, and off-limits to the public. 

Postcard: Author's Collection

    To summarize a well-written article on Wikipedia:

"Williams Junction was an Amtrak station, that serviced the Southwest Chief, and passengers to the Grand Canyon (although this refers to the original station that was built on this site, there are indications that the original was replaced by an "Am-shack," a basic metal bus stop like structure well known for simplicity and uncomfortable conditions.) 

    There were two separate routes for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe from Williams; one was the transcontinental route that ran East-West, and the other was the route that ran South to Prescott (the "Peavine Route.") Originally, both routes passed through Williams, in front of the Williams- Grand Canyon station. Later, as the trans-con was realigned, the junction was moved to the east of Williams, which became known as Williams Junction. This station opened on December 18, 1960. In 1969, at the end of Santa Fe passenger service, and the beginnings of Amtrak, both Williams stations were closed.

 Interestingly, Amtrak's corporate name was North American Rail Passenger Corporation, and the initials of NARPC is not as catchy as Amtrak. There is one theory that the Santa Fe would have continued to run their name trains (Chief, Super Chief, Grand Canyon Limited, etc.) if they had known the budget-cutting the new corporation would do to regional passenger service. Then again, if Amtrak hadn't been born as a government entity, rail passenger service would have become virtually extinct in the United States. 

    According to the article, when the Grand Canyon Railway began operations as a private passenger operation, the Amtrak named-train "Southwest Chief" dropped off passengers at Williams Junction (probably when the "Am-shack" was created,) who were then bused to Williams to make connections with the Grand Canyon Railway. This service was discontinued in 2018, and passengers are now bused from the Flagstaff Amtrak station. (Suggested reading is the Wikipedia article, which states it better.)"

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There is oral history that states a small town was located just west of Williams, and possibly a station existed at this site. The citizens of this small community moved to Williams, once the post office closed, and railroad established Williams as the station site. The town appears to have been called "Sun Up." Fuchs, page 73, footnotes.)