Historic Prescott Railroad Bridge Inspires Fiction

You know that feeling when you stumble across something that makes your writer's heart skip a beat? That's exactly what happened during my husband Jim's and my 22nd anniversary getaway to Prescott, Arizona—my absolute favorite town in the entire state.

We checked into the gorgeous new Hilton Garden Inn near downtown, and I immediately fell in love with how they honored the property's rich history. Right there, woven seamlessly into the hotel's design, stood a magnificent piece of the past: an authentic historic railroad bridge! Walking through the lobby, I was transported back in time by vintage photographs from Sam Hill's Hardware Store in the early 1900s and beautiful railroad-themed artwork adorning the walls.

But here's where it gets really exciting—this isn't just any old bridge. This beauty is from the Santa Fe, Prescott, & Phoenix Railway, which incorporated on May 27, 1891. Picture this: the northern section stretched from Ash Fork (right along what's now I-40) down through the rugged Arizona landscape to Prescott. On April 24, 1893, the very first train chugged out of Prescott bound for Ash Fork, carrying with it the hopes and dreams of an entire territory.

The best part? This incredible railroad history is woven throughout my upcoming Colter Sons Series, releasing from August 2022 through March 2023. Standing on that bridge, I could practically see my characters James and Boone Colter working on that very line!

Sometimes the universe has the most perfect timing. That anniversary dinner photo Jim and I took at Papa's Italian Restaurant downtown captures more than just our celebration—it marks the moment when my fictional world collided beautifully with reality.