21 Amazing Flagstaff Facts That Makes This Arizona City Worth A Visit!

Flagstaff is a city in northern Arizona and has some very amazing adventure ideas along with natural wilderness to get lost in.

This mountainous city, on the Colorado Plateau, has a lot to offer and has some great geography and history associated with it. This city has a very strong reputation among tourists due to its being a crucial distributor hub, as for Nestle Purina PetCare, and housing Northern Arizona University, the U.S.

Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, and many more like that.

This city not only holds importance in this aspect, but also has some very powerful attractions that lure tourists to visit it.

Flagstaff shares very close proximity with Grand Canyon National Park, Meteor Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, Historic Route 66, and the Arizona Snowbowl.

Not only is its history and geography significant, but this place also holds some significant scientific achievements, making this place all the more astonishing and interesting, like that of the planet Pluto being discovered by this city back in 1930.

So, if you want to know more about this city, jump into this informational piece and plan a visit.

When someone suggests visiting a place, the first question that pops into their head is, 'What does that city have to offer? Is it worth a visit?

Will the temperature and geography be inordinate to our expectations?

Is there anything that makes this place a fun place and a lot of them like that?'

We often get fascinated by a place just by reading about it in our books, websites, blogs, and many other places like that, and want to know as much as possible about the place.

Thus, in this article, we will be looking at these aspects of the Dark Sky City of Arizona, and consider why it is worth a visit, or maybe simply to help you finish your next assignment.

The Flagstaff Urban Trails System features paved and unpaved roads and is becoming a recreation hub for mountain biking clubs across the region. Read on to learn some more interesting facts about Flagstaff, Arizona.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you must also check out these France government facts and Georgia colony fun facts here at Kidadl.

Flagstaff City Geographic Location

Settled in 1876, Flagstaff City is situated in Coconino County in Arizona, the United States. With an area of 66 sq mi (171 sq km), this city has a population of around 75,000, but if we include the metropolitan area, then the population will rise to 139,097.

Did you know that Flagstaff is located in the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest?

Lying on the Colorado Plateau, the city has an elevation of about 7,000 ft (2,133.6 m) and the area dedicated to water bodies is about 0.08% of the total area that comes under this city. Considering the connectivity with the other cities, it falls within the volcanic field of San Francisco, at the Colorado Plateau’s southwestern edge.

While the western side is covered by the largest contiguous forest in the continental United States. Also, this city is next to Mount Elden, which is the highest mountain range in Arizona.

This mountainous city lies along the watercourse of the Rio de Flag. While the state capital, Phoenix, is around 130 mi (209.2 km) north, the Great Canyon is approximately 80 mi (128.7 km) in the opposite direction to that of Phoenix, which is the location of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff City History

Every place has a history that constructs the present and the future of that town. Similarly, the city of Flagstaff, AZ has a very interesting history with many scientific honors scribbled down those pages.

This mountain town has a recorded history from around 1400 CE, passing through different eras, bringing to us the city of Flagstaff we know in present times. So, let us start with some fun historical facts associated with the city.

The first settlers in this area were the Sinagua, the Cohonina Indians, and the Anasazi.

The early development of the city of Flagstaff was due to its association with the lumber industry, the livestock industry, and the railroad. Even today, around 100 trains pass through this mountain town every single day.

This city got its name due to the group that was led by Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale, who raised the American flag, and as the settlement grew, the place got its formal name, Flagstaff.

Northern Arizona University, as we know it today, was previously a school named Northern Arizona Normal School, founded in 1899 and situated in Flagstaff, Arizona.

If the founder of this town is considered, then one can say Edward Whipple was the one who bought the first white settlement in the year 1871 by opening a salon.

Northern Arizona's development credit goes to McMillan, who built the first permanent residents in 1876.

When the site was observed as the best for astronomical observation in 1894, two years later, in 1896, an astronomer named Percival Lowell, with his 24 in (61 cm) Clark telescope, opened the first observatory, which gradually led to the discovery of Pluto.

With the observatory, this city was identified, but the economic role was played by the railways, which promoted farmers and loggers, finally leading to tourism efficiency.

Flagstaff Known For?

Apart from all the geographical location, historical developments, and climate, a lot of tourist attractions and spots are present. So, under this section, we will be looking at some of the fun places that could be visited while in Flagstaff. Let us have a look at some of the most famous attractions in Flagstaff.

Coconino National Forest: This national forest in Coconino County is among the most diverse forests and is spread across an area of 0.7 million ha (1.8 million acres). This place was named after the Coho Native American people and is a recreational, mining, and lumbering area within close proximity of red rocks.

Museum Of Northern Arizona: if you really want to understand this region, then the MNA will be the best place for a getaway. With so much history seeping out of it, this place has tremendous biological, geological, and cultural resources. Not only that, but this museum serves as one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.

Grand Canyon National Park: if you are a geological history geek, welcome to Grand Canyon National Park, which has a geological history of two billion years. Not only is this world heritage vast, but beautiful as well. With hiking and cycling, there is a lot for everyone, making it one of the most wonderful places to visit.

Downtown Flagstaff: The best part of Downtown Flagstaff is that different people can enjoy this place in different ways. One can go on a haunter tour, or a walking tour, being their own guide. It is up to the tourist how they look at this part of Flagstaff.

Lowell Observatory: With Pluto being discovered from this observatory, it became one of the most interesting and piquant parts of Flagstaff, Arizona, with tourists visiting and seeking knowledge for their celestial fantasies.

Arizona Snowbowl: This ski resort was started around 80 years ago and is the longest-running in the west. People can enjoy both a good ski as well as a breathtaking view from this bowl.

Orpheum Theater: A part of downtown Flagstaff, it is the perfect entertainment venue, serving concerts, festivals, weddings, film premieres, and parties every now and then. The old name of this place is 'Majestic Opera House' which serves to fulfill the artistic requirements.

Grand Falls: 'Phenomenal' is the word that comes to the mind of a person who first stumbles across this muddy waterfall. What makes it mesmerizing is the many-tier waterfall, which is also showcased in the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Mount Elden: Made up of lava, this 2,400 ft (731.5 m) tall dome-shaped Mount Elden is the perfect place to hike, climb and do all sorts of maintenance stuff. There have been casualties and times when people have been rescued, so make sure that you know what you are signing yourself up for.

Bushmaster Park: If you want a family day out, then this beautiful park with swings and a pleasant atmosphere is the place to have a gala time with the family.

Buffalo Park: With an astounding view of the San Francisco Peaks, this place is fun for all sorts of hikers, whether novices or fully trained. This is included in many trail networks, including that of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System.

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark: If you want to see the impact a crater has on the land of the earth, then this place is a must-visit.

This is also the best-preserved site for a crater impact on earth formed 50,000 years ago when a gigantic fireball crossed the skies of North America leaving this crater and the mark of the mysteries that the universe holds.

There are many other things to be done and places to be visited. While these are the topmost places, there are many more that are still hidden within this city.

Flagstaff Weather And Climate

After knowing about this city’s location, and its history, it's now time to look at the climate this place enjoys, along with the hottest and coldest days recorded to date. Here are some interesting facts about Flagstaff's weather and climate for you.

Flagstaff enjoys a climate with four seasons.

Being the second highest city in the USA, it becomes obvious that it will enjoy a good snowfall. The average snowfall is 108 in (274.3 cm) in a year.

The weather in this mountain town is relatively mild all year round.

The place has better quality air with the altitude and low humidity as two main factors.

The average sunshine that Flagstaff receives is 266 days a year.

The best time is when the whole town is in autumn, when the aspen trees are in the perfect scenic setting of golden color.

There are 682 ac (276 ha) of city parks in Flagstaff. The largest parks in the city are Thorpe Park and Buffalo Park.

The highest temperature recorded on this land of northern Arizona is 99 °F (37.2 °C). The most snowfall was observed on February 21, 2019, when a total of 35.4 in (90 cm) of snow was recorded.

While September-October is the best time to enjoy the fall, November-December is the best time to enjoy the winter landscape.

The best part is that the place has different experiences every season, and all the seasons here are pleasant and enjoyable, so one can say that this place is fit for a trip around the year with these amazing weather conditions.

Flagstaff Fun Facts

Apart from all the information provided above, some fun facts are associated with this place, which makes this place all the more interesting. Let us have a look at some really interesting facts about Flagstaff:

Back in 1876, on July 4, a flag-raising ceremony was held in which the Boston travelers attached a flag at the top of a branch of pine in order to observe the nation’s centennial. This is how Flagstaff got its name in Coconino County, Arizona.

Towering Flagstaff, at about 12,633 ft (3,850.5 m) is the highest point in Arizona in the form of Mount Humphreys.

According to the historic route, Flagstaff has the highest elevation at which Route 66 runs through it.

You can even visit Hotel Monte Vista, Museum Club, and Weatherford hotels, which are considered haunted.

Most of the industry in Flagstaff is located east of Flagstaff. The industry is primarily adjacent to the railroad tracks in East Flagstaff.

An average of 100 trains pass through this city every day.

This city is also known as the 'Dark Sky City' for being honored as the first International Dark Sky City by the International Dark-Sky Association on the fortuitous day of October 24, 2001.

The second title given to this city is the 'City Of Seven Wonders'. This is due to the fact that the city is surrounded by the San Francisco Peaks, Sunset Crater National Monument, the Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, and Wupatki National Museum while sitting amidst the Coconino National Forests.

The city is filled with the aroma of vanilla due to its being surrounded by the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest in the whole of North America.

The first to have an Astronomical Research Centre in the whole nation, named Lowell Obs

ervatory.

Flagstaff has the distinction of being the second highest city in the United States, trailing only Leadville.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 21 Amazing Flagstaff facts that makes this Arizona city worth a visit!

then why not take a look at 27 fun things to do in Arizona with toddlers, or how far are the planets from Earth? Curious solar system facts for kids.