Krista Ames-Cook

Harvey Hotels & Restaurants started along the Santa Fe railroad route and became central places to dine and stay in the small towns across America where they were located. Many of them continued to be popular as Route 66 was the main road for travelers. However, they struggled to survive when the interstate bypassed these towns.  

​

For nearly a century starting in the late1880s, more than 100,000 young women braved the unknown frontier and traveled west. With an emphasis on serving first-class food with exceptional service, the Harvey Girls worked at restaurants along the Santa Fe rail line and were the first female workforce in America. Read more about the women who went into uncharted territory and helped to civilize the American Southwest.