The legendary Harvey House chain, an integral part of early American travel and hospitality, enjoyed a complex yet symbiotic relationship with the iconic Route 66. While these famed establishments, renowned for their unparalleled service and quality, predated the Mother Road by decades, their paths intertwined as both adapted to and influenced the evolving landscape of American transportation. Initially thriving alongside the burgeoning railway system, the advent of improved roads and affordable automobiles, ironically championed by the rise of Route 66, ultimately contributed to the gradual decline of railway passenger service and, consequently, the Harvey House empire.
Founded by Fred Harvey in the late 19th century, the Harvey House chain revolutionized dining and lodging in the American West. Prior to Harvey’s innovative approach, railroad dining was notoriously poor, consisting of greasy spoon diners or meager offerings from train vendors. Harvey established a network of restaurants, hotels, and lunchrooms strategically located along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway lines, offering clean, efficient service, and high-quality food at reasonable prices. These establishments were staffed by the famous Harvey Girls, young women recruited from refined Eastern families, who were known for their impeccable uniforms, polite demeanor, and strict moral code. Their presence brought a touch of civility and elegance to the rugged frontier, making Harvey Houses symbols of progress and refinement. As the railways expanded, so too did the Harvey House presence, eventually extending into locations that would later become vital stops along Route 66.
Harvey House Locations on Route 66 in Arizona
Ashfork, Arizona
In Ashfork, the original Harvey House Hotel and Restaurant, established in 1895, was succeeded by the grander Escalante Hotel in 1905. This elegant establishment served travelers for over four decades, finally closing its doors in 1948. The city of Ashfork faced significant economic challenges when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad realigned its tracks in the 1950s, a blow soon compounded by the completion of I-40, which completely bypassed this historic Route 66 town. The once-proud Escalante Hotel was unfortunately demolished in the 1970s, a casualty of changing transportation patterns.
Kingman, Arizona
A notable Harvey House Restaurant opened its doors in Kingman in 1901, serving hungry travelers and railway workers for over half a century. Sadly, this historic house of hospitality was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1952. While the original structure is gone, a one-story stucco depot still stands today, directly across from the former restaurant’s location, a quiet reminder of its bustling past.
Peach Springs, Arizona
The building that once proudly housed a Harvey House Restaurant in Peach Springs continues to stand today. While its days of serving fine meals to weary travelers are long past, it has been repurposed and is now utilized by the local Water Treatment Plant, a testament to the enduring, if altered, utility of these historic structures.
Seligman, Arizona
As railroad traffic surged, the impressive Havasu Fred Harvey House was constructed in Seligman, opening in 1905. This expansive hotel boasted 60,000 square feet, accommodating numerous hotel rooms, a substantial kitchen, a bustling lunchroom, and a convenient newsstand. Despite being abandoned by the railroad for many years, the building persisted until 2007, when it faced the threat of demolition. Due to federal regulations requiring occupied buildings to be a safe distance from active railroad tracks, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, the owner, made plans for its removal in 2008. Despite vigorous efforts by locals and Route 66 preservationists through the
