Restoring the Weatherford Hotel has been a journey that started in 1975. Today you can see the finished project, but just imagine all the work it took to get here.
Thank you Henry and Sam for your hard work, tireless efforts and desire to keep history part of Flagstaff.
In the late 1990’s the Taylors were awarded one of the largest commercial grants in Arizona history, intended for the restoration of the original balconies. The third floor, Zane Greys Ballroom, was developed first and opened in 1997, in preparation for the reconstruction of the balconies. The first stage of reconstruction the wrap-around porches was completed in December, 1998. In the building’s basement. In 1999 the balcony restoration project won the Heritage Preservation Award Commercial Category.
The Gopher Hole was opened in 2014, recreating an original club that occupied that space. This initiated the complex engineering feat of reinforcing the interior floors of the entire building. In June 2016, the remainder of the restoration of the structure of the building was completed with stacking steel posts and beams through the first and second floors, and the building became fully operational with the restoration of 17 hotel rooms. These rooms retain the original claw-foot tubs, showers, and other fixtures. Downstairs in the lobby, the ceiling was restored o its original height of 19 feet, with a new concierge desk replacing the 1930’s mezzanine floor reception area. A new Victorian-style staircase was built, returning the entrance of the hotel to its original grandeur.
The Taylors consider themselves to be caretakers of the Weatherford Hotel and can now say that they have left the hotel better than they found it and through all of its history, it has remained one of the most renown hotels in Flagstaff. The only remaining project is an addition at the rear of the building to accommodate a new fire escape and elevator tower, planned for completion in the near future.
