Page 41 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2021 DISCOVERING SANTA FE

SANTA FE RAILYARD HISTORY

n February 9, 1880, the dangerous journey The once-thriving area around the yard suffered
by horseback, covered wagon, or stage- and city leaders declared it a blighted area in the
Ocoach on the old Santa Fe Trail ended. That late 1980s and began planning redevelopment
day, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway there. But it wasn’t until 2002, nearly 122 years af-
Company pulled its first train into Santa Fe. There ter the first train pulled into the station, that a vi-
was a glorious celebration replete with speeches sion for the 50-acre site was in place. In 2008,
and a grand parade. That event ushered in a new another grand celebration heralded the rebirth of
era of economic and social change. the historic rail hub and the creation of a vibrant
Railroad passengers flocked to the Harvey Santa Fe-centric mixed-use community enjoyed by
House-La Fonda Hotel, the historic art-filled inn millions of locals and visitors each year.
still prominent on the Plaza. Many of those early History and railroad buffs will enjoy the Santa Fe
tourists liked what they saw and eventually moved Railyard Tour that takes visitors along historic rail-
to the city, building new homes and businesses us- road tracks and warehouses and brings to life the
ing materials brought by rail. The rail yard was an railroad’s impact on Santa Fe from the 1880s on.
important center of transportation until World Weekly tours are available year-round on Tuesdays
War II until highways and airports became the pri- at 9:00 am — or by prior arrangement. Visit
mary way to reach Santa Fe. www.airbnb.com/experiences/2729209

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