Transportation
7
A Santa Fe Railroad brochure in 1914 promoted the Grand Canyon of Arizona to 25,000 summer visitors as a scenic wonder unlike any other. The Santa Fe train whistle heard here on September 17, 1901, signaled the end of Grand Canyon's frontier days, as a $3.50 train ride replaced a $20.00 full-day jolting stagecoach trip. In the decades that followed, Santa Fe promotions across the nation brought visitors by the thousands and opened Grand Canyon to the world. Built in 1909, the Santa Fe Depot greeted rail patrons for 59 years. The railroad's role at Grand Canyon extended beyond train service, offering hotels, Fred Harvey meals, sightseeing options, and for more than 30 years tank cars of water vital to the waterless South Rim. In the 1950s automobiles undercut rail travel, and Santa Fe ended passenger service here in 1968. Limited excursion train service, not associated with Santa Fe, resumed in 1989, and the historic depot remains as a reminder of Grand Canyon's rail era.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Grand Canyon Village, Arizona · United States
