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City/Town Snapshot: City of Flagstaff
The City of Flagstaff sits at nearly 7,000 feet and is nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounded by one of the largest pine forests in the United States. Flagstaff
got its name from a very tall flagpole made from a pine tree to celebrate our nation's centennial in 1876. Incorporated 120 years ago, Flagstaff is a year-round tourism mecca for
millions of visitors each year.
The Flagstaff area got its start through a pioneer legacy that centered on ranching, lumber mills and the railroad. Many of the buildings in historic downtown Flagstaff date back to
the early 1900s and are used today as stores, galleries, hotels and restaurants. History buffs also enjoy Flagstaff for its Route 66 nostalgia and the museums and attractions dedicated
to Flagstaff's Native American culture and old west legacy.
Flagstaff is a community rich with cultural diversity, beauty, and history; as well as, amazing educational, recreational, and scientific opportunities. In 1894, Dr. Percival Lowell
chose Flagstaff, because of its great visibility, as the site for the now famous Lowell Observatory. Our community remains committed to its Dark Sky heritage, which has brought
several additional observatories to the area including the recently completed Discovery Channel Telescope. Flagstaff has a very diverse range of cultural offerings including the
Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Northern Arizona, First Friday Art Walk in downtown Flagstaff and Theatrikos Theatre Company, a community theatre. In addition to these
cultural experiences Flagstaff also has an extensive public art program.
Flagstaff is in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, a region known for its rich Native American history. Evidence of the earliest native cultures in the Flagstaff area can be found
in the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon National Monument and the rock-walled pueblos of Wupatki National Monument that ancient tribes inhabited more than 800 years ago.
Home to Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff is a university town focused on quality education and research. This permeates through all levels of education with the communities
focus on S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. In fact, Flagstaff has been proclaimed the "First STEM City in America." Flagstaff is also one of
the major cities for medical device innovation and other science-related industries. Flagstaff's economy is also supported by small business and large employers like WL Gore, Nestle
Purina, SCA Tissue, Joy Cone and IML Container.
An hour away from the Grand Canyon and many more national parks and monuments just a short drive away, Flagstaff attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Favorite activities include
hiking, mountain biking, disk golf, camping, boating and rock climbing. During the winter, Flagstaff is host to countless skiers and snowboarders, as well as many families who come
to enjoy snowplay or the annual Mountain Dew Urban Ski and Snowboard Festival which kicks off Flagstaff's Winterfest celebration. January 24-25th, 2015 will mark our fourth year
of Dew Downtown, which is a two day urban ski and snowboard demonstration and competition in the heart of Downtown Flagstaff. The addition of a tubing run for kids, along with
music, crafts, and games will make the 2015 Dew Downtown Festival bigger and better.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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