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| Freight depot and clever dog at Fairbank, ca. 1900. (PHOTO COURTESY/W. Lane Rogers) |
By W. Lane Rogers/for the Range News
Town building in Arizona Territory was not always greeted with enthusiasm. Just south of Contention, civil engineer B.J. Kendall, who supervised construction of the New Mexico & Arizona Railroad, staked land in late 1881 at a spot ideal for crossing the San Pedro River. A construction camp called Kendall Station was established, followed quickly by a makeshift saloon. A Benson retailer set up shop, and so did a blacksmith.
All was well until January 1882 when a party of armed ranchers paid Kendall a visit. Using persuasive language, they advised the engineer to cease and desist until right of way had been clearly determined.
Fresno scrapers were parked, piledrivers halted. The railroad negotiated a settlement, the ranchers were placated, the bridge was built, and a town developed at the construction site. However, the name Kendall Station was scrapped for Fairbank. As fate had it, Nathaniel Kellogg Fairbank invested in the NM&A. Kendall did not.
At Nogales, the NM&A connected with the Sonoran Railway to monopolize freighting from mines south of the border. That did not sit well with the irascible Southern Pacific. Consequently, a deal was cut between the SPRR and the upstart railroad's parent company, the Santa Fe. By 1898, the NM&A ceased to exist-absorbed by the Southern Pacific.
In June 1888, twenty-eight railroad cars deposited at Fairbank mule teams and equipment in preparation for track laying to Bisbee. When the Arizona & South Eastern Railroad bypassed Tombstone, the town's newspapers caused an unrequited uproar.
Financed largely by the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, this 36-mile long railway boasted 31 bridges and 63 no nonsense curves. On February 1, 1889, well wishers lined the tracks to greet the first official train from Fairbank.
During the spring of 1903, Fairbank assumed renewed importance when the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad erected an imposing depot. More than 10,000 ties had been stored near the river, and in March track laying commenced. On the afternoon of the 25th, a work locomotive steamed into Tombstone and, at last, the county seat had a railroad.
For all its importance as a river crossing and rail junction, time took a devastating toll on Fairbank. Its three depots were razed or moved. Its trio of railroads uprooted their tracks and abandoned the town.
Automobiles had appropriated passenger traffic, and when the mines played out there was nothing to haul. Fairbank faded away and Cochise County was confronted by new economic realities.
All was well until January 1882 when a party of armed ranchers paid Kendall a visit. Using persuasive language, they advised the engineer to cease and desist until right of way had been clearly determined.
Fresno scrapers were parked, piledrivers halted. The railroad negotiated a settlement, the ranchers were placated, the bridge was built, and a town developed at the construction site. However, the name Kendall Station was scrapped for Fairbank. As fate had it, Nathaniel Kellogg Fairbank invested in the NM&A. Kendall did not.
At Nogales, the NM&A connected with the Sonoran Railway to monopolize freighting from mines south of the border. That did not sit well with the irascible Southern Pacific. Consequently, a deal was cut between the SPRR and the upstart railroad's parent company, the Santa Fe. By 1898, the NM&A ceased to exist-absorbed by the Southern Pacific.
In June 1888, twenty-eight railroad cars deposited at Fairbank mule teams and equipment in preparation for track laying to Bisbee. When the Arizona & South Eastern Railroad bypassed Tombstone, the town's newspapers caused an unrequited uproar.
Financed largely by the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, this 36-mile long railway boasted 31 bridges and 63 no nonsense curves. On February 1, 1889, well wishers lined the tracks to greet the first official train from Fairbank.
During the spring of 1903, Fairbank assumed renewed importance when the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad erected an imposing depot. More than 10,000 ties had been stored near the river, and in March track laying commenced. On the afternoon of the 25th, a work locomotive steamed into Tombstone and, at last, the county seat had a railroad.
For all its importance as a river crossing and rail junction, time took a devastating toll on Fairbank. Its three depots were razed or moved. Its trio of railroads uprooted their tracks and abandoned the town.
Automobiles had appropriated passenger traffic, and when the mines played out there was nothing to haul. Fairbank faded away and Cochise County was confronted by new economic realities.
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