|
Apache Trail • Goldfield • Tortilla Flat • Roosevelt Dam • Indian Ruins • Sunset Route
Tortilla Flat - Stagecoach Stop
- story
by: Tortilla Flat
Tortilla
Flat, AZ is located on Route 88, the Apache Trail. This
section of Arizona's most scenic highway was also known as the
"Sunset Route" from 1915 to 1932. Tortilla Flat is presumed
to be Arizona's smallest official "community"
having a U.S. Post Office and voter's precinct. Tortilla Flat has a
population of 6.
Going by available records Tortilla Flat got its start because of
the road construction to Roosevelt Dam in 1904. There was a need
for a stagecoach stop for freight haulers on their way to the
construction site at Roosevelt Dam and Tortilla Flat served that
purpose... a historical landmark was born. Shortly following the
construction of the road, Roosevelt Dam became a big tourist
attraction. At that point Tortilla Flat was a stage stop for
tourists and mail carriers through the 1930s.
The name "Tortilla
Flat"
originated from the cowboys who used to drive cattle from Globe to
Phoenix. While in Phoenix, rancher Mr. Cline, and his fellow
cowboys celebrated their sale, and, having a little too much to
drink, forgot to get supplies while they were in town. Which is how
they ended up with only flour to make tortillas when they camped at
the flat and were stranded.
Forest Service records
show Tonto National Forest being established in 1905 as kind of a
"package deal" with the Salt River Reclamation Project. The Forest
Service was needed to manage the land and protect watershed for the
dams because cattle grazing had denuded the land. The freight camp
at Tortilla Flat, as well as the other camps along the road to the
dam, were, therefore, on U.S. Forest Service land. Folks who decided
to make Tortilla Flat their permanent residence kept up the lease on
the land in later years whenever it came due.
Tortilla Flat
continues to serve tourists and travelers on the historic Apache
Trail. Come and experience the 1915 Auto Tours at Tortilla Flat with great food and
friendly people!
*****
Reserve your 1915 Apache Trail Tour Today!
Now
taking reservations for the 2008/2009 season.
Tours run from
Sept. 27,
2008
to
May 31,
2009
Phone:
(480)288-7480 |
Internet Request Form
|