All photos copyright by Thomas W. Paradis (unless otherwise noted).
All rights reserved.

From the Book:

• Table of Contents
• List of Key Terms
• Map of Walking Tour
• Bibliography

• Instructions for completing the Walk Project.

• Chapter 5: Downtown
• Chapter 6: South Side
• Chapter 7: NAU
• Chapter 8: Milton Ave.

• Architectural Styles of America, by Tom Paradis
• PL 303 Design and Preservation 
• GGR 240 World Geography West
• Peter Jenkins' home page: author of the original A Walk Across America and other related books

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK:

Railroad Town is a book about Flagstaff's local geography, historical development and landscapes, and the various processes that have shaped those landscapes. At the same time, it is a book about America and how a place like Flagstaff can teach us much about the American scene as a whole. I wrote this with the undergraduate student in mind, particularly those "lucky" students enrolled in one of my courses. However, as this course packet eventually becomes published as a full-fledged book sometime in the near future, Railroad Town will certainly be of interest to local residents keen on learning more about Flagstaff and its own built environment, and to Flagstaff's visitors who may not know much about the community. Importantly for NAU students, it is imperative that we better understand how those of us at NAU play an important and dynamic role in the Flagstaff community. Regardless of whether you are a student, local resident, or visitor, you will no doubt come away from this book with a better appreciation and understanding of Flagstaff as a specific place, representing an "all-American" town in many ways.

The book is organized into three main parts. The first consists of two chapters that introduce readers to the community of Flagstaff and also to important geographic concepts encountered throughout the text. I discuss the discipline of geography and what it is geographers do, because many Americans continue to be baffled about this diverse field of science. I also introduce the concept of human landscape and landscape studies, an ongoing theme of the book and its inclusive walking tour. Simply, the human landscape refers to everything that humans build and create on the surface of the earth (above and below the earth as well), including all the common, ordinary things that we take for granted every day: car washes, fences, lamp posts, apartments, streets, ornamental landscaping, railroad depots, department stores, and so on. Geographers spend much effort studying American landscapes and how and why they change (or stagnate) over time. Chapter two will therefore provide a "crash course" in the geography of human landscapes.

Part two of the book relates specifically to the historical and current development of Flagstaff, focusing on the role of the railroad and its various impacts on the community and vice versa. Located on one of the busiest main-line railroads in the nation, Flagstaff finds itself experiencing challenges in part brought on by its own growth and the continuing growth of the freight railroad industry. In short, the railroad in Flagstaff remains a paradox, both cherished and despised by the community. Perhaps most importantly, the two chapters focusing on Flagstaff and the railroad provide an excellent geographic case study to illustrate how geography affects all of our lives, all the time. 

The final and most lengthy part of the book consists of a detailed walking tour through part of Flagstaff's own built environment. A total of 24 "stops" are included, along with substantial discussions about the development and geographical significance of each. Every local place, no matter how ordinary it seems, has an interesting story to tell, and geography almost always becomes part of the story in some way. Specifically, the text not only teaches something about each place along the way, but also relates it somehow to the larger American scene. The human landscapes encountered at each stop can teach us something about the geography of America as a whole. For this reason, Flagstaff serves quite nicely as a sort of "outdoor laboratory" through which people can learn much about North American geography as well as that of Flagstaff. That is why I call the tour "A Walk Across America in Flagstaff". You will find a link to the real book called "A Walk Across America" in the menu section on the left. I have taken a slightly different angle on the idea. While it must be an awesome experience to literally put one's shoes on and walk across the continent, we can do the next best thing: focus on a place like Flagstaff and learn what we can about America from our own local scene. I think you will find the experience enlightening and fascinating -- as well as much easier on your feet. 

In all, four distinct landscape scenes are experienced along the Walk: a revitalized downtown business district, a culturally diverse working-class neighborhood, a university campus, and a bustling commercial strip. Importantly, this tour is meant to be walked -- not biked or driven. Actually, one will find it extremely difficult to drive this route, for several reasons: one, several stops are very close together, and you'd have to park the car several times anyway; two, the route is actually aligned in places against traffic, along one-way streets (with sidewalks). Finally, you especially need to "walk the Walk" because that is the best way to experience these places while paying attention to them carefully. We often miss much by zooming by in the car, and this Walk will allow you to take your time and notice all the fascinating details of places -- and what they all mean.

So, enjoy your own "Walk Across America," and I bet that after reading Railroad Town and "walking the Walk," you will never see America's -- or Flagstaff's -- ordinary human landscapes in the same way again! 

- Tom Paradis, 
August, 2002.

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY OF RAILROAD TOWN?

For Fall, 2002, you can purchase a copy of the course packet (book) at the NAU bookstore, on campus. Visit the text book department in the back of the store to order a copy if no more are available on the shelf. The book is currently published by Scholargy Custom Publishing. 

SUPPORTING THE GEOGRAPHY CLUB AT NAU

For every copy of Railroad Town purchased on campus, $2 will be donated to the NAU Geography Club to support student-related events, field trips, and other activities.