The Ghost Town of Canyon Diablo - Exploring the Myths and Legends

In late 1881, construction of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad came to a stop just east of Flagstaff, Arizona as it reached Canyon Diablo. While a bridge was constructed over the canyon, and town made up of bored railroad workers sprang up and an old west legend began.
When the history of Canyon Diablo was written in the 1960s, it was claimed that this was the deadliest town in the old west. The cemetery quickly filled up and they had to start burying people where they fell. Becoming the town marshal was the same thing as signing your own death sentence. Hold ups were and hourly occurrence.
These stories have been told and retold ever since. The only problem, they almost certainly are untrue.
In this video we venture off Route 66 in Arizona and travel the three mile rough road out into the Arizona desert to visit the ghost town of Canyon Diablo and talk about its history, both real and fictional.
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[@PinInTheAtlas]

Have to take a moment to say Congratulations on reaching the 100k milestone. All of your hard work, historical research and presentations are now getting the attention they deserve. Very happy for you Steve!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, it's pretty unbelievable to me.

[@samiam619]

@@SidetrackAdventuresI have an extra Dodgers baseball cap I could send you. it’s not one of those cheaply made Velcro types but a solid wool cap….

[@donalddodson7365]

​@@samiam619Go Padres ... there is always next season. 😂

[@samiam619]

@@donalddodson7365 Sure. If you mean after Betts, Freeman, Kershaw, Muncy and all their new excellent rookies RETIRE. Yeah, maybe.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

@@samiam619 Never!

[@guitarstringman7403]

Oh man, the desert southwest is such an incredible landscape and history. You do great justice on presenting it. You are a natural journalist, and your research on your subjects add a lot to making them interesting. Great background music and audio mix of narration and music!

[@michaelsimonds2632]

I love the nonchalant and understated manner you use in recounting myths about the town. Another really fun video for us all to feast on.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you!

[@Maulzy23]

As someone from a small country in Europe, looking at these huge expanses with very interesting history is amazing, thanks

[@Porsche996driver]

Greetings! 🌵🏜️

[@jeffrey7339]

This whole area in Arizona is full of amazing places. I am unable to link to them, but look up the Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, and the Grand Canyon. I have driven several times through this area in my life and it is always jaw dropping.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

I live in Winslow Az and you would have to see it to believe it!!! The endless land is incredible and that's why I love Arizona so much because I can go out and get away from everyone and not see another person for days if I choose!!!

[@andreahanson-cruz1556]

Their was a family from Germany that died from the heat and getting lost in in Az. I think that people from Europe did not realize how big the USA is

[@uberkloden]

A lot of Native American tribes all over the US. 500 separate languages, just in the Continental USA. White people exterminated the Native Americans.

[@mssixty3426]

Thanks for doing the research and not repeating the errors others have written about these places, the true history is always much more interesting. Love the drone footage, and your accurate guess about the cistern! Cheers!

[@rhuephus]

"true" history ?? What makes you think this is the "true" history ??

[@MrJest2]

@@rhuephus Well, he presents the known facts as facts (i.e. small railroad "camp follower" encampment, and later Navajo trading post) and clearly labels the rest as "speculation, and likely fiction". That's about as "true" as it gets for these little transitory settlements. Not a lot was truly known, because they were not permanent and established settlements - just stop-overs on the large "traveling circus" that was a railroad construction project. Everyone knows that the "wild west tales" are grossly exaggerated or made up out of whole cloth. This was, after all, the Victorian Era... even in the furthest reaches of the American frontier, people simply didn't behave the way old dime novels and Hollywood portray. Mostly, there were some roughnecks getting drunk and maybe engaging in fist fights. But, being in the employ of a corporate concern and out in the middle of nowhere building a railroad or working a mine, they kept their behavior to a "dull roar"... because getting fired from your job could literally be lethal. Out on your ass, with no resources, and a hundred miles of desert in every direction. Occasionally, there would be consensual duels (perhaps illegal, perhaps not, and still considered _socially_ acceptable regardless of legislation at the time). But outright criminal homicide was rare indeed. As were most "property crimes" and sexual crimes. There was some "commercial crimes" like train robberies and livestock theft, but again it was rare enough that it both made a big stink in the local news, and created a large response dedicated to capture the criminals... but it rarely involved slaughtering people. Look up the stagecoach highwayman "Black Bart" for an example of the fairly typical sort of commercial crime in those days. Compared to many of our urban crime zones of today, the "Wild West" was positively bucolic, if somewhat rural and isolated... but hey, a job was a job, and most got on just fine working in these regions. For the era, if one was young and willing to work at hard manual labor, it was an adventure of a lifetime, and reasonably safe if one was careful and didn't get killed in an industrial accident.

[@jerrysmith1929]

One day a couple of us working at Grand Canyon drove out to see the railroad bridge. Wasn't aware of the ghost town story. Road conditions were a bit different on out drive. Had to use windshield wipers a couple times to clear dust off in order to see. And it wasn't because we were driving fast! It was so dusty that by the time we returned to the highway our vehicle was covered by so much dust it was difficult to determine the paint color. Thanks for bringing back some memories.

[@johncamp2567]

Congratulations on the very special milestone of 100,000 subscribers!!🏆 You take us places we can’t visit ourselves and you always put a lot of historical fact into what we see! THANK YOU!!

[@oneeyedjack8525]

Another awesome video. Drone is definitely a plus. I love those wide Open spaces. 👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, its so wide open out there then all of the sudden there is a canyon!

[@paarjg]

Thank you for another intriguing trip into history not taught in school. I really enjoy your videos, historical perspectives and more than that, the stories! Please keep it up!

[@JasonMaggini]

The other arrow got taken out by a kid in a DeLorean.

[@shibalover54]

😂😂😂😂

[@mssixty3426]

😆😆😆

[@SUNCITYOUTLAW]

😂😂😂

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I was wondering if anyone would catch it, and here it is in the first comment haha

[@milojanis4901]

Was his Flux capacitor operational???

[@tommanion5504]

Another place I've been to! The year was 1988, and we had taken a rather large circle route from a trip to Tucson from New Mexico. Had visited Phoenix and Flagstaff, were heading east towards home. Had taken the new wife and her daughter to see the "big hole" (Meteor Crater) and I wanted to see the bridge. I didn't know the town was as extensive as it was. The only ruins WE saw was alongside the tracks, which i assumed were railroad structures. (Google Earth shows those ruins gone.) Wasn't there to explore, so we didn't. Nice to see that there was more to Cañon Diablo than a decrepit depot.

[@scottprather5645]

Thumbs up good video in a rare instance of having good Not too loud background music. Can actually hear the narration not just a bunch of irritating computer generated noise like so many videos have these days 😫 History of the West is unique and fascinating keep up the good work

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

I remember riding in the car with my parents past the twin arrows trading post as a child in the 60's. Never knew there was a canyon and ghost town too. Guess I'll have to take a trip there and wander about. Thanks for sharing.

[@Thecorgially]

Really enjoyed both the "probable tall tales" and the real tales.

[@razony]

Love your channel. There is NO place on this earth that I have a connection with than Arizona. Something about this land that I'm in awe with. Like I been here before, as in psst lives. As a native? I miss my most beloved Arizona!

[@rujo2k]

I grew up in Northern AZ and I explored both of those locations (Two Guns and Canyon Diablo) never knew about that crazy back story of "Most Dangerous Town in the Old West" though 😆! Love your channel!

[@petecollins4925]

100K! Well done Steve. I'm a fairly recent subscriber, don't live anywhere near the USA and find your adventures fascinating. It's a side of America you just wouldn't see as a tourist. Well researched and narrated, easy to watch and understand. That canyon is amazing and the horseshoe bend makes a great picture.

[@user-bf1oc6zt1z]

Greetings from Colorful Colorado. Awesome History! I really appreciate the "Walter Cronkite" Honesty and "Matter of Fact" Reporting that you do on your channel,

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Well deserved 100,000 subs 🎊🎉😄👍

[@arthurlevine1840]

Guns, garters, and ghosts: if there's a story, I'm always down to hear or read about it.

[@DMLand]

I love how you acknowledge the legends about a place like this while debunking them. Legends are often lies inflated by ego. You bring honesty and respect to the stories that grow around places like this. Thank you.

[@IndridCool54]

I’ve driven over Canyon Diablo many times on I-40 and wondered what was out there. Now I have some idea and I want to see more. Gorgeous video of the canyon and surrounding plateau! Really cool geology! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Canyon Diablo... A Grand Canyon in the making. The power of water and time. Such an obscure place. An historical footnote brought a little life by your exposure....👍👍

[@ironken1796]

You present so well! Love it. I've been across that bridge many times some years ago. Very cool to see beyond what I could see from the locomotive. Thank you for that!

[@lgd4247]

Good for you, Steve! 100, 000! Interesting historical content.

[@djohnson9083]

I like it that you are a regular guy and you are so honest. Cracks me up. Enjoyed the video.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@patriciajrs46]

Why would being regular and honest crack you up?

[@CactusAtlas]

Loads of great info of Canyon Diablo in our great state of Arizona! So much history in that area. Congrats on reaching 100k! Seem just like yesterday we found you and you were at 16k. Your growth has been insane and awesome! 🎉

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. It's still pretty unbelievable to me.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

I love being able to see places I will never be able to visit in real life. Thanks for all you do hosting the tours👍.

[@semiproactive9625]

Congrats on your 100K!! Another fun tour in the desert. Thanks Steve.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

super cool vid - that canyon itself is really interesting too, just carved into that otherwise flat land like that.

[@Perlyhart]

wow, way cool... plus, LOVE the music background! perfect!

[@GunnyBB0369]

Great videos!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Semper Fi.

[@rickbarrett]

A++ as usual.. Great channel..

[@Incorruptus1]

I enjoyed watching this personal documentary very much. Thank you for the interesting insights, and for elaborating. Very nice to see this on KZbin.

[@TrzCharlie]

Love your videos. I viewed the ride into the bottom of the Grand Canyon yesterday. Thanks for taking us along.

[@NitroTheWolf]

Zebulon Whatley wrote a song called "Song of Ruin" in his album "Trinity" which tells the story of the town and the gun fight which happened here. Lyrics: I rode by night-train down to Cañon Diablo To work on the rails and lay low for a while But never a town here on God's holy earth Did drink itself drunk on such venom and bile I made my way swiftly to a bar down on Hell Street Above it, a broken sign read "Road to Ruin" A couple of outlaws flew out into daylight Their whiskey undrunk, left behind in the gloom Tell Mary's harlots to stop what they're doing And gather around to sing this song of ruin They at once were surrounded by dozens of cowboys Whose hands were just itching at their holstered heat Then all in the blink of a milky crow's eyeball That onslaught of guns thundered Hell in the street So they planted those corpses in sands red as bull's blood Where they stiffened and bloated and bled out their wounds Then those drunk, old cowboys rode down there with shovels Disinterring those outlaws from their cruel, arid tombs Tell all those bandits to quit what they're doing And gather around to hear this song of ruin "I just can't allow that a man would buy whiskey And not live to drink it," said a man like a goat "We'll give 'em what's theirs, boys, so take up that bottle!" Then I helped them pour liquor down their slackened throats We stood there in silence, me and that band of cowboys As the sun climbed grotesquely like a carrion fly That star found us sober so we left through the canyons Leaving two piles of rocks where those cold bodies lie Tell all those cowboys to think what they're doing And ponder the sorrow in this song of ruin

[@steveludwig4200]

Good job. That place is one of the best along Route 66 for exploring because there is so much "infrastructure" still left especially at the fronts of the canyon starting the the "Mountain Lion" cages.

[@johnhallford239]

Congrats on 100k. As always, a thoroughly enjoyable video. Thank you for taking us along.

[@markmark2080]

My dad (1911-2012) made two trips with his large family from Indiana to Southern California in the mid 1920s on the new Route 66 in a Packard touring car. He was able to recount a few of the "greater happenings", like a fatal wreck they came upon in the middle of nowhere, but being a "teen", it was mostly a lot of boring countryside waiting for the next stop... When I have traveled on, or studied places along old 66 on the internet, I often wonder if my dad walked on the ground I'm looking at... Like at the Twin Arrows Trading Post, but then I research and find out that it was built 20 years later, in the 40s

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Twin Arrows came later, but it's possible he would have stopped at Two Guns, which is just 15 miles east and had several "attractions" at that time. I'm the same way, I think about my grandparents coming to California and wonder if they stopped at some of these same places.

[@gregboyden564]

another fascinating story Steve. I always enjoy the history of ghost towns, make your mind wander to that time period. your detail to historical facts really brings the characters to life!

[@1984xlx]

Thank you, Steve, for another fascinating episode! I've driven by so many of the places you've covered, now I have a much better understanding and appreciation for them!

[@edwardaustin740]

Love the channel and everything you share. Thanks, Steve.

[@bobcoats2708]

Congrats on hitting 100k subscribers, Steve! Quite an achievement for the explorer from San Diego.

[@dennisclark8766]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.

[@davidhull1481]

I really appreciate your style of presentation- you don’t seem so ego-driven, making the video about yourself. Clear information. Thanks.

[@scottallencolorado]

I enjoyed watching your videos once again. Brings back good memories of my time as a young man growing up in southern Calif. I had cousins and grandparents in Yuma and Mesa and we traveled the Rt 66 a lot back in the 60s. Thanks for the interesting bits of the history of these places. Keep on keeping on.

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Steve. Well done. Congratulations on 100k subscribers.

[@jamesnackley5558]

Thanks again for another great video. I wish you the best success and many new adventures with your channel! Keep up the great work

[@poowg2657]

Fantastic tour, liked it much. Thanks man!

[@roncarguy72]

CONGRATS on breaking 100k subscribers! That's awesome. I'm glad the algorithm brought me to you about six months ago. I have really enjoyed your storytelling.

[@sallylea1]

Love your videos of your adventures!!!

[@dld4045]

Enjoyed your laidback manner as you take us through the mostly forgotten areas of the west.

[@EmmasMom-vi8qf]

I love how you intersperse historical photos throughout your video. I enjoy going on the road with you!

[@dmorgan28]

This was another great video. Enjoyed it. Thanks 👍❤️

[@hankmilledge4376]

Thanks for a great tour on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

[@sandyzalecki1145]

Thanks for the tour. Great video as usual.

[@svbarr]

Great stuff!! Have you ever done BARSTOW? Decades ago my cars transmission failed and we spent 2 days waiting for parts . As we walked around town we noticed LOTS of Chinese take out places and restaurants. So we asked a guy as we got our take out Chop Suey -- "Hey why so many Chinese places in this small town?". He told us that when the railroad was finished the Bosses paid off the Chinese workers and just left. So many were broke and stranded in the desert so they pooled their resources and started up restaurants - and to this day many of their ancestors are in the same business....

[@user-zh4cq4zy1n]

yes, congratulations on hitting 100K

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

[@BurtBowers]

Interesting video never knew of this place has some intersting history to it👍

[@isabellind1292]

Thank you, Sidetrack Adventures. I enjoyed this. Happy trails!🌎🌥🌄

[@valeriegoode9762]

Love your videos. So interesting.

[@bobhauber2425]

Another great video! you do great work!

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

So I looked up Canyon Diablo on Wik. It list all the "facts" about the town, how violent it was, the 35 graves, the trading post owner being the only non-violent death, etc...

[@michaelangelos5117]

Hey buddy, I was worried about you. You're lucky to get out of there alive.

[@4LowRocks]

Congrats on the 100K! Great work.

[@timjones3094]

As always well researched , great series

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@ruhlworth]

Steve, you make great videos !! Very interesting locations and information !! Your narratives are excellent !! Great work !!

[@senthilnathanviswanathan4924]

I have to say thank you so much for producing this video. Sitting cool in the comforts of my home, i had a virtual walk through the diablo canyon. Seeing vast desert wilderness leaves a dizzy feel....like being transported back in time....in every comment I say this 'your voice is very sweet and soothing'

[@UniusPoenitentis]

Great video! I really enjoyed it 👍

[@travelingwaves]

Thank you ! as always fantastic job ! you are a treasure

[@samuelg3586]

Love the videos man, I always appreciate forgotten the history of the region we live in

[@jeffreywhite2272]

Great aerial view of a the "new" bridge; & the footings of the old. Thanx again.

[@MB-ig6gl]

Almost 20 years ago I had found a one page of info on the internet (don't remember the source but before Wikipedia was a thing) on Canyon Diablo. We drove out and stopped just before the train tracks. I think we saw a few trains go by while we were there (very active). We walked across the tracks when it was clear, and through a barbwire fence to see the remains. I appreciate your analysis on it. It didn't seem to match the description of the age as well as the condition. But your information makes sense. So thank you for researching further. Interesting that what I remember matches exactly what you saw, although we only went to the main area (I don't remember the grave). Appreciate your videos.

[@rockville34]

Enjoy your videos, glad I found them.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Definitely will put this on my list of places to visit next time I'm up that way, mostly just to see that horseshoe bend in the canyon for myself. Thanks as always for finding these little gems!

[@sntstafford]

@8:41, after you describe being able to still see the bridge abutments, it looks like one can still see the pier supports at the bottom of the canyon.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, they are still there.

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

I have enjoyed every one of your videos, you haven't made a bad one yet! But I really enjoy starting out my day with one of your travel videos as I used to love to travel!

[@garthbutton699]

Thanks for your efforts, congratulations on 100k🤗😎🤗😎

[@trumer-and-co]

Thanks for another great history adventure!!!

[@tammylarson6022]

The places you go are way more interesting with your historical research and story telling. Every time I’m like who knew…. Love it.

[@MikeSouthward-ow6pm]

Love your music selections

[@garybensman1358]

I have been to Canyon Diablo many times and always found it a spooky place! Especially looking into that cistern. It had plenty of history there even before the railroad was built. And so much railroad history even nowadays!! Thanks for the great trip to the Devils Canyon.

[@brucedillinger9448]

Very interesting and well done...AS ALWAYS. Also I always enjoy your choice of music. Fits perfectly and doesn't distract.

[@kimposible3085]

That canyon is so cool! I've been through the desert probably 100 times and I thought it was just a bunch volcano rock. I could look at that canyon for hours!

[@knappdaddy]

Wow so cool to think that either way people actually did inhabit that area in the past !!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, they certainly lived a hard life no matter the truth.

[@brianrooney2970]

Those four guys in the posse, fantastic time capsule capture. Thanks for the video, nice work.

[@garlicgalore]

So interesting, and I get to see a part of the country that is completely different from my home. Thank you for the great visuals and the history. It's amazing that there was a town there!

[@daveh4283]

Great video Steve

[@gerf1023]

I'm a train buff and I've been up there a couple of times to photograph trains going over the bridge. Canyon Diablo is well know to railfans like myself. I never realized that there was once a town there. Thanks for the history lesson! 😃

[@leechild4655]

ya, it was a pretty remote area and dont think they even had any cell service out there ... ;-)

[@thehappyhermit01]

Watching your vids gets me revved to get out there for my nearly yearly trek to the beautiful state of AZ.

[@hazcat640]

Another good 'un, Steve!

[@johnuhelski8613]

I drove a rental out here in the mid 90's and it is wild and empty . Got some great pix that day and enjoyed your vid. Great job !

[@mortillery2306]

Thanks for a great review. I was in AZ for a few years wish your channel was around then. I missed a lot of fun trips

[@joecapriotti6366]

Well presented, good content!

[@carlcotton1753]

Another fun episode. Thank you

[@jeffreyhill7990]

I enjoy your videos on the western ghost towns, awesome.

[@shooter31m]

Another great video Steve! I’ve been there before too while exploring Two Guns.

[@boomtownrat5106]

Interesting wind/ water erosion on those canyon walls. Noticed a lot of greenery at the bottom of the canyon, which would indicate water. Didn’t notice it with your drone shots but is there running water down there? Others have congratulated you on your 100K mark. Well earned and deserved!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I didn't see any current water. The wind was really going through the canyon or I would have flown the drown down into it to get a closer look. I was curious as to what trash had been tossed down there too. But it was so bad I filmed some stuff that isn't in the video because the wind noise was so bad it was unusable, even with the dead cat on the mic.

[@skydiverclassc2031]

@@SidetrackAdventuresPlus, if it crashed, you would never, ever get it back. That was some rough country in that canyon.

[@garypalmer2066]

Water runs in those canyons during seasonal monsoon season. Most of the year it is dry.

[@rufusmacck3712]

Another great story. Thanks.

[@patriciajrs46]

Mr. Whipple is certainly someone's ancestor. It must be very special to them, I think, to know some of their family's history and have it told so well. Thanks for all of your research and hard work.