Weatherford Hotel owners celebrate 50 years since purchasing Flagstaff icon
FLAGSTAFF (AZFamily) — For 125 years, the Weatherford Hotel has been a part of Flagstaff’s history. But 50 years ago, it fell under new ownership, preventing the hotel from being destroyed and ushering in a new era for this iconic building.
Nestled in downtown Flagstaff, the Weatherford Hotel has sat as Flagstaff grew around it since 1900, when John Weatherford opened its doors.
“Around the late 1899, he learned the first steam train to the Grand Canyon was coming to town and tourism was the big money maker for the area,” Henry Taylor said.
It stood firm for decades, but by 1975, it was about to be torn down until Henry Taylor walked through the doors.
“The hotel was up for sale, and it was going to be demolished,” Henry said. “I found it hard to believe that they could tear down such a magnificent historical piece of Flagstaff.”
Over the next few decades, he and his wife, Sam Green, poured their time and money into the hotel. First, it was a hostel, as Americans wanted something new at the time.
“But the Europeans and the young hostelers loved the history,” Henry said.
By the late 90s, the couple focused on renovating the building, reinstating the balcony, constructing 17 rooms to turn it into a hotel, and preserving the history.
“It was a battle cry to save the Weatherford,” Sam said. “I mean, a lot of people back in the beginning, you know, they were really behind it.”
Today, it’s an icon in downtown Flagstaff. The hotel is also home to one of the country’s best New Year’s ball drops. Sam came up with the pinecone drop idea 25 years ago. This event draws people from all over the world to downtown Flagstaff.
This month, the couple is celebrating 50 years of ownership.
“It’s been our life,” Sam said. “You can’t walk away. Well, we’re going to walk away one day, but hopefully we walk away, we don’t get carried away.”
As for John Weatherford, they think he’d be proud of their work, and now, everyone knows the Weatherford Hotel.
“I always say if there’s ghosts here, the good ghost is John Weatherford and he really appreciates the fact that was saved the hotel because no one knew who John Weatherford was,” Sam said.
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