How did Flagstaff get its name? There are several stories on the history of Flagstaff, but perhaps the most commonly told is that of one pioneer-days Fourth of July celebration, when an American flag, tethered by rawhide strings, was raised on the trunk of a lofty pine stripped of its branches. The improvised flagstaff could be spotted from miles away and became a valley landmark. Homesteaders journeying to the area were told to travel due West, until they saw the flagstaff - a sign they'd reached the camp.

In 1876 Thomas F. McMillan arrived; today he is credited for being the town's first permanent settler. In 1881, the first post office was established and the railroad soon barreled into town. With industry and infrastructure, Flagstaff began to grow. The town had timber, sheep and cattle and by 1886 Flagstaff was the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the Pacific coast. Five years later, Dr. Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff for its impressive altitude and clear view of the night sky. Consequently, the Lowell Observatory was built in 1894 and it became famous as the home of the discovery of the planet Pluto in 1930.

The Arizona Teachers College was founded in 1899, and by the 1960s, it became Northern Arizona University. During the 1920's, Route 66 was built and passed right through town making Flagstaff a popular tourist stop. The city of Flagstaff was incorporated in 1928 with the help of Route 66 tourism revenue. Flagstaff continues to grow today as both a tourist destination and hometown; over 50,000 residents have discovered its picturesque mountains, outdoor recreation, and college-town atmosphere are coupled with all the makings of the perfect place to relocate, retire or acquire a second home.