Santa Fe Water Tower
Ash Fork, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Santa Fe Railway Water Tower rises above the western edge of Ash Fork, marking the beginning or end of Route 66 through town. Its familiar Santa Fe cross-and-circle emblem can still be seen from the old highway. 03-19

With no dependable local water supply, Ash Fork relied on railroad tank cars hauling water about 30 miles from Del Rio Springs. The tower supplied both steam locomotives and local residents until a 1,800-foot municipal well was completed in 1975. Apparently the town’s water was not nearby. It was just very far down.

Route 66 divides into two one-way streets through Ash Fork, and the tower stands like an old railroad gatekeeper at the edge of town. The steam locomotives are gone, but the landmark still lets passing travelers know they have reached Ash Fork.

UPDATE: The empty water tower remains preserved near Centennial Park, with its restored Santa Fe emblem still greeting Route 66 travelers. 09-26