ash fork, az

I finally made it.

Ash Fork-Escalente Hotel 1907-1948. A Harvey House.

Ash Fork was not named for a railroad person, but it was named by one.  There are many ash trees there.  92 degrees,  West wind at 15 mph, 21% humidity. 

Lt. Edward F. Beale and 100 crew members were charged with creating a route to Los Angeles. It served as the basis for the highway and the railroad bed. The longest stretch without water was 20 miles.

Using camels makes sense to me. There is no way you avoid crossing a desert. Lt. Beale stated that this was the shortest good route.The 35th parallel is the guide for this path. This was the first Federal highway in the southwest.

Beale mentioned that he only needed to double team his wagon once. His report encourages me for finishing this tour.

In 1882 the railroad came through and cattle or sheep ranching became popular.

Ash Fork is "The Flagstone Capital of the United States." The railroad started using the stone for bridges and buildings.