| Began as
a railroad stop on the Ash Fork to Phoenix line; because of the fertile
nature of the area, it was seen as resembeling a desert oasis (ie. the garden
of Allah). The name was later shortened to Allah. Allah had a post office
from 1917 to 1919.
UPDATE:
Originally called Alice Siding, the Peavine (ATSF Railway) from Prescott to Phoenix stopped there to let off people at the Garden of Allah Guest Ranch, and others traveling on to Castle Hot Springs.
The original Brill Ranch adobe structure ( about 1865) still stands as the Visitor's Center for the Hassayampa River Preserve. The adobe ranch house was also the local stage stop. This was at one time also the headquarters for the Sanger Dam System, used in gold mining along the River. By 1913 the approximately 1,000 acre ranch had become the Garden of Allah Guest Ranch. There was a post office on site (1917), as well at a telegraph office.
Just recently we have rediscovered what we believe are the ruins of the old depot. A current engineer for the BNSF Railway who has the run from Phoenix to Wickenburg, confirmed that the remains are indeed the old Allah Depot.
Sherry Slocombe
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Allah Depot
Courtesy Sherry Slocombe
Allah Depot
Courtesy Sherry Slocombe
These are photos taken of the remains of Allah Depot, 4 miles south of Wickenburg, AZ, along the Hassayampa River. The land is now owned by The Nature Conservancy, and is part of the Hassayampa River Preserve.
The remains are on private land, and there is no access for the general public. The rock foundation is easily recognized, and is about all that is left. The lower photo shows how close to the raised track bed the depot was. The original railroad signs along the track announcing Allah, are still there, and are repainted occasionally by BNSF.
Eventually, we hope to have a complete history of the depot and the Garden of Allah Guest Ranch, for which it was named, available at the preserve. At the moment there are no plans for a trail to the depot remains, as it would have to cross the BNSF right-of-way.
There is also a small water tower next to the depot, which has been knocked over by a large tree which probably fell during one of the summer Monsoons which strike the area.
If you check Google Maps for the Wickenburg area, along Hwy 60, the name "Allah" still comes up at the entrance to what was originally the Brill Ranch, and today is the Hassayampa River Preserve.
If there is more information later, I'll pass it along.
Thanks, Sherry Slocombe, volunteer, Hassayampa River Preserve, Wickenburg, AZ
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