elcome to Historic Williams, Arizona                    illiams was the last city bypassed by I-40. Several            events throughout the summer celebrate our history in full. From the car shows to the gunfights to parades to rodeos, you are invited to join us in the celebrations. Our park is in the perfect location over-looking the historic city. We are close enough that you can go into the city and participate in the activities and shopping, yet far enough to enjoy the cool summer evenings. Every May we welcome the Veterans of Run for the Wall and in June the Hog Rally into Williams.     If you are leaning the other direction,you can simply walk right into the Kaibab forest right from our park. Hike to the Three Sisters or on top of “old Bill.” Both are healthy walks which require you to remember water. Water and other snacks to make you hike enjoyable can be obtained at the Chevron station.     Naturally if your trip includes a visit to the Grand Canyon. You can leave your RV in our secure surroundings while you visit the canyon.    Whatever the purpose of your visit, David and the gang are here to serve you. No one makes a greater effort to satisfy you than our staff. About Williams     Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 thereby opening the Arizona territory to trappers and mountain men. Williams was named after one of these fabled mountain men, William Sherley Williams. A statue of “Old Bill” stands in the park on the west end of Williams. The surrounding valleys and meadows drew ranchers and farmers after the Civil War. In 1879, Cattleman Charles T. Rogers purchased land at the foot of Bill Williams Mountain in anticipation of construction of the transcontinental railroad.  Following the arrival of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroads in 1882-linking Williams with far away markets-Williams quickly grew as a center for the railroad, ranching and lumber industries.     In 1893 the Saginaw Lumber company opened a large mill and later a box factory. the business was a major factor in the town’s economy until its closure in 1940.     Williams had a reputation as a rough, tough and rowdy frontier town by the turn of the century. Its saloons, brothels, opium dens and gambling houses catered to the cowboy, logger, Chinese laborer and railroad worker. These businesses were restricted by ordinance to “Saloon Row” along Railroad Avenue. Legitimate business flourished along Bill Williams Avenue, but the towns principal merchant, Cormick E. Boyce, is attributed with the building of the town. Most of the wooden building from the early period burned down in a series of disastrous fires.      In 1901, a spur line was built to the Grand Canyon. Williams became know as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Travelers found luxurious accommodations at the Fray Marcos, on of the many “Harvey Houses” built by the Santa Fe Railroad and operated in partnership with the Fred Harvey company. Thousands of well-bred young women were recruited from the Eastern United States to work in the restaurants and hotels.  “Harvey Girls” were renowned for their charm and gracious service.     In 1926, US Highway 66 was established through Williams, which served the touring public as part of the “Main Street of America.”  Williams became the last “Route 66” town in America to be bypassed in 1984. Bill Williams Avenue, a section of America’s Main Street, won national Historic Register status in 1989.      Williams is proud of its frontier heritage and its continuing role in serving those who enjoy recreation and travelers, and its location in the midst of natural beauty.  On December 30, 1984, the downtown business district achieved listing on the National Register of Historic Places.