Iron rails and silver spoons. In a nutshell that could be used to describe the Fred Harvey legacy and the dawning of southwest tourism.
Pull up a chair on the patio at the La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, close your eyes, feel the hint of a cool breeze as the sun sinks in the west and listen to the haunting wailing of a train whistle in the distance. Is it 2025 or 1925?
All along Route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and Califronia the legacy of Fred Harvey ilves on. Places like the La Posada are living time capsules from the dawn of southwest tourism. They are tangible links to that brief moment in time when the railroad was the gateway to the wonders of the west. And they are also landmarks that hearken to the dawn of legendary Route 66.
At Jim Hinckley’s America, we like to say that we’re in the business of telling folks where to go. Today we’re following the tracks west and through time. We are tracing the rise of Southwest tourism from the elegant Harvey Houses to birth of the auto court.
Are you ready, all aboard!
But first, before I forget, mark your calendar for the July 13th episode of Coffee With Jim on Podbean Our guest will be Kathleen Hendrickson, former tour guide and Las Vegas, New Mexico historian. She will be sharing fascinating stories about Fred Harvey’s indelible impact on her storied town, and inspiring a road, or railroad, trip or two.
The Rails That Built the Southwest
In the latter half of the 19th century, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) that rose from the ashes of the pioneering Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, became more than just a means of travel or hauling freight. It was a cultural portal that immersed passengers in an adventure filled with curiosity inspiring oddities, awe inspiring scenic wonders, and a swirl of exotic cultures.
The Santa Fe Railroad, as it came to be known, didn’t merely chug westward. It sold the West.
Through scenic brochures, dreamy illustrations, and partnerships with early tourism promoters, it beckoned easterners to “See America First.” But beautiful landscapes alone weren’t enough to lure the traveler. That’s where a visionary steps into the story.
Enter Fred Harvey: The Man Who Brought Manners to the Wild West
Fred Harvey, a British-born entrepreneur, had an idea as revolutionary as the railroads themselves. Deliver fine dining and first-class hospitality at remote rail depots, combine iron rails with silver spoons. In the days when a “meal stop” often meant bad stew served by a cook that doubled as a blacksmith and worse coffee, Harvey’s white-linen tablecloths, uniformed waitresses, and sterling silver were downright miraculous.
The Fred Harvey Company, in partnership with the Santa Fe, established a chain of restaurants, hotels, and later, guided tours that effectively created the nation’s first hospitality empire. His well-trained staff (including the iconic Harvey Girls) brought elegance, consistency, and order to a region known for rough edges and rowdy saloons.
Harvey House Highlights Along the Line
Let’s take a whistle-stop tour of standout Fred Harvey locations across the Southwest:
Las Vegas, New Mexico – The Resurrected Queen: La Castañeda Hotel
- Built in 1898, La Castañeda was one of the first grand Mission Revival-style railroad hotels.
- Restored and reopened in 2019 by Allan Affeldt and Tina Mion.
- Original woodwork, period-correct details, and a fully revived bar and restaurant make this a destination. As a bonus, it is just a few short miles off Route 66.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
- A major hub for Fred Harvey’s Indian Detours.
- The city’s cultural richness was heavily promoted.
- At the site of the La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe a hotel or inn has stood since the early 1600s. So, this is the oldest hotel corner in America. It has been a central part of Santa Fe’s history, evolving from an inn on the original Spanish settlement to a prominent Harvey House and a hub for travelers along the Santa Fe Trail.
Albuquerque, New Mexico – Alvarado Hotel
- Demolished in 1970, but its memory endures in local architecture and civic pride.
Gallup, New Mexico – El Navajo Hotel
- Designed by Mary Colter, blending Native motifs into luxury hospitality.
- Much of the complex was razed. But the depot remains, and part of the Harvey House complex that now houses a cultural center and the delightful Angela’s cafe. And its on Route 66!
Seligman, Arizona
- Hosted a modest Harvey House, the Havasu, that supported local rail operations.
- It was located along the early alignment of Route 66 mere blocks from the Delgadillo family pool hall and barber shop.
Ash Fork, Arizona – Escalante Hotel
- Built in 1907; a refined Harvey House named after Spanish explorer Escalante.
- Demolished decades ago it remains part of Ash Fork’s proud heritage.
Winslow, Arizona – La Posada Hotel
- Built in 1930, designed by Mary Colter.
- Restored in the 1990s by Allan Affeldt and Tina Mion.
- A working hotel and art gallery, with the renowned Turquoise Room restaurant.
Kingman, Arizona
- The Harvey House was located on Fourth and Front Street (Andy Devine Avenue/Route 66).
- It served as the temporary headquarters during construction of the Kingman Army Airfield in WWII.
- It burned in 1953.
- Today, Kingman celebrates the legacy with rail history exhibits at the railroad museum in the historic depot, and Kingman Tours, the narrated self guided walking tours.
Barstow, California – Havasu Harvey House
- Also known as Casa del Desierto.
- Built in 1911, now home to multiple museums including the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.
Needles, California – El Garces Hotel
- Opened in 1908, Neoclassical Mission Revival hybrid.
- The east wing was demolished but the remaining section is now partially restored and is functioning as a civic space. Tours are available.
Santa Fe Railroad Tours & Indian Detours
In the 1920s, Fred Harvey Company began offering “Indian Detours,” guided automotive tours that took travelers deep into Native American lands and desert landscapes.
Riding the Rails Today: The Southwest Chief
The Amtrak Southwest Chief still operates along the historic ATSF route, from Chicago to Los Angeles, stopping in many classic Harvey House towns: Las Vegas, Winslow, Flagstaff, Kingman and Needles.
Recommended Reading
- Appetite for America by Stephen Fried
- The Harvey Girls by Lesley Poling-Kempes
- Ghost Towns of the Southwest by Jim Hinckley
- Tracking Fred Harvey’s Southwest Indian Detours by Mike Butler (I do apologize but erroneously attributed this to Richard Melzer in the orignalpost).
Upcoming Episode: Coffee With Jim – July 13th
Don’t forget, on July 13th, Coffee With Jim welcomes Kathleen Hendrickson, historian and former tour guide in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Join us as we explore her town’s deep Fred Harvey roots, the La Castañeda Hotel, and how tourism blossomed from the arrival of the railroad.
Listen here for archived programs: Coffee With Jim on Podbean
Final Thoughts
Fred Harvey didn’t just feed hungry passengers. He fed the soul of adventurers in the Southwest. His hotels, tours, and elegant table settings turned remote railroad depots into destinations. Today, gems like La Posada, La Castañeda, and El Garces invite a new generation to travel with wonder.
So pack your bags, grab a map, and set out in search of pie and the tangiblelinks to the dawn of tourism in the Southwest. It’s an iron rails and silver spoons odyssey.
Jim Hinckley’s America: Telling People Where to Go… and Making History Fun Again.
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.