Nestled just south of the Santa Fe Railway tracks and downtown Flagstaff, the Southside neighborhood has long been one of the city’s most dynamic and diverse communities. For generations, its tree-lined streets, humble bungalows, and historic businesses have told stories of challenge and triumph, change and continuity. Whether you’re walking along South San Francisco Street or relaxing in Heritage Square, the echoes of Southside’s history are never far away. Let’s take a closer look at how this distinct neighborhood came to be, why its legacy matters, and what makes it so special today.
Origins and Early Growth: The Birth of Southside
The story of Southside is intimately tied to the expansion of the railroad in the late 1800s. When the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad crossed northern Arizona, it transformed Flagstaff from a remote lumber camp into a bustling hub of opportunity. As industry grew, laborers arrived from across the country and the world—many settling in the area south of the railroad tracks. This practical boundary is how Southside got its name: it quite literally thrived on the “south side” of the tracks.
The neighborhood gradually developed between the 1880s and early 1900s. Streets like South San Francisco, South Beaver, and Butler Avenue became home to workers in the timber mills, rail yards, and even the early cattle ranches. Small frame cottages, some still standing today, began to dot the landscape. By the 1920s, the area’s population boomed, fueled by ongoing demand for railroad and lumber labor and by an increasingly diverse wave of new residents.
Cultural Melting Pot: A Patchwork of Communities
Southside’s identity is inseparable from the many cultures that have shaped it. African American, Mexican American, Basque, and Greek families made this district their home in the years before and after World War II, finding work in nearby industries and forging vibrant social networks. For decades, racial segregation in Flagstaff meant that Black residents in particular were restricted to the Southside.
Despite these barriers, the neighborhood became a beacon of Black resilience and achievement. The Dunbar School, located at 124 E Butler Avenue, opened in 1927 as the city’s only segregated school. It educated generations of Black children until integration in the 1950s. Today, the Dunbar Auditorium stands as a symbol of that heritage—its restored halls hosting community events, music, and remembrance.
Mexican American traditions are equally foundational, evidenced by well-loved institutions like Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 224 S Kendrick Street. Built in 1926, it has long served as a spiritual and cultural anchor, with fiestas, processions, and bilingual services still enlivening the area every year.
Key Historical Milestones
Throughout its history, Southside has witnessed both adversity and progress. Here are a few pivotal moments:
- 1916: A massive fire devastated much of the Southside business district. Undeterred, the community rebuilt, with brick and stone structures soon replacing wooden ones.
- 1920s-1950s: Southside thrived as an epicenter for Black-owned and Latino-owned businesses, including the Greenlaw Funeral Home and the La Fonda Restaurant.
- 1950s-1960s: Urban renewal plans and highway expansion begin pressing upon the neighborhood. Interstate 40’s construction forever changed portions of Southside, destroying some blocks but spurring new development along Butler Avenue.
- 1960s-present: The growing presence of Northern Arizona University brought renewed energy, with students seeking affordable housing and new shops opening to serve their needs.
Notable Landmarks and Treasures
- The Murdoch Community Center at 203 E Brannen Avenue was once the home of the historic Southside School and now houses programs and gatherings for all ages.
- The Greenlaw House at 101 S. Franklin Avenue, built in 1911, highlights early African American entrepreneurial efforts and is celebrated as a historic site.
- Southside Tavern and original storefronts along South San Francisco Street, many dating to the early and mid-20th century, showcase vintage neon signs and a vibrant arts scene with ever-changing murals.
Nearby, Thorpe Park and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) connect the neighborhood to the outdoors, blending urban life with Northern Arizona’s natural splendor.
Change, Challenges, and the Spirit of Preservation
While Southside’s roots run deep, change is constant. Over the decades, the neighborhood has weathered both external pressures (like highway construction and city zoning changes) and internal shifts as new generations settle in. Rising property values, student housing, and new restaurants have brought more attention—and sometimes, tension—around issues of affordability and culture.
Yet, longtime residents and newer arrivals alike share a common bond: a commitment to keep the spirit of Southside alive. Local organizations hold storytelling events, mural projects, and festivals that celebrate the area’s diversity and honor its enduring legacies. Walking the streets, you might spot a grandparent reminiscing outside the Dunbar, college students gathering at a coffee house, or young families exploring community gardens.
Why Southside Still Matters
To know Flagstaff is to know Southside. Its people and stories have shaped citywide conversations about inclusion, opportunity, and resilience. The old cottages and landmark buildings are daily reminders that history is not just preserved in museums, but lived in the fabric of a neighborhood.
Southside may have been born out of necessity—built by those drawn to work the rails and mills—but it blossomed thanks to the creativity, pride, and perseverance of generations. So whether you come for the food, the art, or the history, remember to linger a while. Listen closely, and you’ll hear the heart of Flagstaff beating strong on the south side of the tracks.