Allah Station, Arizona

[grizbaird]

I wonder if anyone knows if any photos exist of the small Allah Depot or Station which was located by what is now the Hassayampa River Preserve south of Wickenburg, Arizona.

Apparently a flag stop for guests at the resort & dude ranch called The Garden of Allah (and Castle Hot Springs resort). Formerly Alice Siding. Peavine or ATSF.

Garden of Allah was a relatively short-lived resort ranch circa 1913-1919 named after the popular novel of that time, which later became a Broadway play and three movies (including one with Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer).

I believe you can just make out the ruins/stone-foundation of this station here in the trees: 33°55'57.33"N 112°41'59.73"W

Thank you very much,
Chris B.

 

[grizbaird]

I was able to get down to the Allah depot ruins this morning.
There are a lot of large, fallen trees that make it difficult to survey.
The wooden posts are what I believe is all that is left of the water tower supports.
Of course the train came 5 minutes after I had already left and scaled the 65 foot cliff to head back out...

Chris B.

 

[bcp]

Thanks for the update. I've driven by that area on the highway many times but didn't know anything was there. The RR south of Wickenburg along the river has always been interesting,

Some bits and pieces of information here:

Search Results « Chronicling America « Library of Congress

Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1770-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present.

chroniclingamerica.loc.gov

Looks like you are the expert now.

Bruce

 

[grizbaird]

Thank you very much, Bruce.
There's a few gems in there for background information that I hadn't seen.

I forgot to walk down the tracks either direction to see if the "Allah" signs remain. I guess BNSF still maintains and repaints the signs.
(the attached photo is in the Hassayampa River Preserve museum where the Garden of Allah resort used to be).

Chris B.

 

[grizbaird]

FYI, the shiny motors were ARZC 4400, 4401 and 4402 in order.
I just missed them from ground level and was bummed!

Chris B.