Author Name: David F. Myrick
Title: Railroads of Arizona Vol. 5 - Santa Fe to Phoenix
Binding: Hard cover with full color cover jacket.
Size: 8.75 x 11.75in., 275 pages
Publisher: Signature Press 2001
ISBN Number: 1930013051
Seller ID: SP114
This is a new volume in David Myrick's acclaimed series of books about Arizona railroading. It is a history of efforts to construct a north-south railroad connecting Phoenix with the Santa Fe main line in northern Arizona, as well as the operations of that and connected lines, such as the route to California with a Colorado River bridge at Parker. The various mining roads tributary to the Peavine, as the Santa Fe line was known, are also here, along with the rich mining history and associated railroads of the area around Prescott. Prescott, capital of Arizona Territory, had no railroad until 1887, despite active mining in the nearby Bradshaw Mountains and the tantalizing completion of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad across northern Arizona in 1881, only fifty miles to the north. Emergence of a railroad to Prescott was to be an important factor in the development of central Arizona. Prescott's first railroad, the Prescott & Arizona Central, only lasted six years, and was succeeded by the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix (the Peavine), a road which eventually became part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Later construction of the Parker line, a direct route from the Phoenix area to Southern California, is also described.
The history of these and associated railroads, such as the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad, is presented in this book, from early construction and operation through a rugged and arid territory, to the coming of modernization in the twentieth century. During much of this history, railroads were powered by steam locomotives, and both passenger and freight operations are described here. In addition, the book features numerous images of mines, mills, and mining camps throughout the book's territory. Enthusiasts of mining history will also find much to enjoy in this book. The distinguished Western historian David F. Myrick, as in his previous books, brings meticulous research, numerous fine maps, and a superb collection of rare and historic photographs to this new volume of the Arizona series. As always, his writing is authoritative, clear and readable. Railroad artist John Winfield provided a dust jacket painting of a Santa Fe perishable freight train crossing Hell Canyon, north of Prescott, in the early 1950s. This book is a fitting companion to Volume 4, The Santa Fe Route, and is sure to take its place in libraries of railroad and Western history.
Table of Contents: Acknowledgements. 1. Prescott--Before the First Railroad 2. Prescott and Arizona Central Railway Company 3. Phoenix Looks to the North 4. Construction of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway 5. Operation of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway 6. Prescott and Eastern Railroad Company 7. The Bradshaw Mountain Railroad to Poland 8. The Bradshaw Mountain Railroad to Crown King 9. The Hackberry Railroad 10. Arizona and California Railway 11. The California Southern Railroad 12. The Congress Mines Railroad 13. Arizona & California Railroad Company. Appendix: The Arizona Central Railroads. 261 photos, 29 maps, bibliography, index. Publication date: November 15, 2001. Retail $65.00.
Price = 52.00 USD
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