Williams, AZ...Then and Now

Circle Pines KOA

Williams, AZ

August 7, 2025

Dahlia...one of many gorgeous flowers along the side streets in Williams...

Long before Williams, AZ was the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it was a booming railroad town.  Settled in 1881 and incorporated in 1901, Williams was named for the famous trapper, scout, and mountain man "Old Bill Williams" (1787 - 1849). During his adult years Old Bill had many "jobs" including a traveling preacher, an interpreter, a scout and sergeant with the Mounted Rangers in the war of 1812, a surveyor that marked the greater portion of the Santa Fe Railroad, a fur trapper,  and led brigades for other trapper's.  For many years he lived among the Osage Indians and married an Osage woman.  Although born in North Carolina, he called Missouri, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and other western states his home. His life ended tragically when he was attacked and killed by a band of Ute Indians.  

The eight feet tall bronze statue of Old Bill in Monument Park in Williams...

He was described as "about six-feet-one, gaunt, redheaded, with a hard weatherbeaten face, marked deeply with smallpox...a shrewd, acute original man, and far from illiterate...the bravest and most fearless mountaineer of them all."   The Bill Williams Mountains just south of Williams are named for him among other rivers and mountain ranges throughout the west.   

As Williams grew, logging and ranching were the main sources for income and a big reason the Santa Fe Railroad runs right thru town.  Built in 1901, this brick structure was the first train depot in Williams. Later it served as a freight depot and in 1914, it was moved across the tracks to its current location to make way for the old trails highway. 

Today the old depot is the Visitor's Center.  It was our first stop and we were so glad.  We were given lots of info an a great walking map to explore the historic downtown area.

The Historic Business District in Williams was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.  

The oldest building in Williams, The Cabinet Saloon,  is dated 1893.  It was a boisterous spot along "Saloon Row". Railroaders, cowboys, loggers, and rowdy local residents came to spend their paychecks in saloons, gambling houses, opium dens, and houses of ill repute.  

In 1897, A local German merchant and tailor, August Tetzlaff, built an adjoining building The Tetzlaff Building.  You guessed it...offering female company in eight cribs with an elegant parlor.  It also boasted a two story outhouse.  Whiskey, pool tables, and poker games provided entertainment on the ground floor as did the Chinese restaurant and opium den located at the back of the building. It just so happens that Williams had a devastating fire in 1901 and again in 1903 and again in 1908 that burned down all of saloon row to the east.  These two brick buildings stopped the fire and it was soon after that that brick became the choice for replacing building lost in the fires.  Today, The Red Garter Inn, a B&B is housed in this very same building. 

And on the bottom floor of the Inn is Anna's Canyon Cafe...just what we were looking for.  Anna's came highly recommended by Jodee.  This small, friendly, and yummy cafe is open 6:00 am to 2:00 pm for breakfast, brunch and lunch.  I agree with Jodee, the green chili is very good!  

A breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and chili served with fresh made hashbrowns and home-made salsa.

This wasn't our first outing to Williams.  We also did a morning walk with Carol and Ronnie.  We spent most of the time perusing the Historic District on Route 66.  It was added to the National Register in 1989.  In 1926, U.S.Route 66 began as a dirt road in the center of town which was later cindered and paved.  It played a key role in the growth and development of Williams.  Despite a few modern encroachments, the historic route in Williams is lined with properties dating back to to the beginning days when it was just a dirt road.  Williams was the last town on this historic route to be bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1984.  The town secured access points allowing Route 66 to remain a vital part of the community.  And today, visitors can enjoy a well-preserved section of history with vintage motels, gift shops, diners, and museums all maintained by Williams. 

 

The Dime Store rebuilt in 1912 after the fires.  it wasn't the souvenirs that caught my eye.  It was the beautiful original brick arch.  The whips hanging above the arch are pretty cool too.  

The Grand Canyon Hotel was on my list to see.

The Ballroom event center

Exposed brick walls...

The downstairs sitting area...

Other things that caught my eye...

The side of a coffee shop drive thru...

The Citizens Bank...a neo-classical revival style opened in 1918 and was the financial center for lumber, ranching, and railroad operations until it closed in 1958.
 

Gorgeous details on a saddle at Western Outfitters.  I love the smell of leather!

A "cherry on top" at the soda shoppe

Sunflowers...

One of several murals...

One of several "antique" stores...

Hollyhocks...

Pizza and a brew at Station 66 and a walk amongst the neon lights with Carol and Ronnie was also on our list. It was a perfect night.  The winds from the afternoon died down and the light breeze and cool air was perfect for patio sitting and a walk down Route 66. 

Station 66 didn't always serve pizza.  The building (1925) started out as an automotive service provider, first as a gas station and then as a parts store. Its heyday flourished after WWII when family road trips became popular.  After numerous transitions keeping the structure in tact, it was transformed as a restaurant.  Specializing in Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas and tasty pasta dishes it has become a favorite of locals and visitors.  Fun and yummy go hand in hand. 

Hand tossed, 

Wood-fired, 

and yummy! 

Supreme with no sausage

And a nighttime walk...it's a must do when visiting Williams!

Check out the phone #

And here's Lucy...

Up next...day trips. Until then,

HAPPY TRAILS!