Weatherford Hotel

John Weatherford, raised in Weatherford, Texas, came to Flagstaff in 1886 and stayed after falling in love with the San Francisco Peaks at first sight. After trying several occupations, from saloon keeper to livery stable operator, he found success in the men’s clothing business and ran a gents’ furnishing store for many years while also taking an active part in political, social, and civic affairs. In 1898 he built the first part of the building at 21 N. Leroux Street, with his store on the ground floor and the Weatherford family living upstairs. In 1899 he added a second portion at 23 N. Leroux on the corner, joined the two sections, and named the unified structure the Weatherford Hotel. It opened on January 1, 1900, and became a downtown centerpiece. For many years it was the finest hotel in town and hosted guests including Zane Grey, William Randolph Hearst, and Theodore Roosevelt. Later the hotel declined so severely that in 1974 there was talk of demolishing it, but Henry Taylor bought the building to save it, and he and his wife Sam have since been devoted to restoring it.

Flagstaff, Arizona · United States