 During the time of the Old West, this area was frequented by notable western characters, such as Commodore Perry Owens.Navajo Springs was a stopping place for travelers to water their horses and themselves.The Beale Wagon Road, a precursor of the transcontinental railroad built through the area in 1882 as well as the "mother road", U.S. Route 66, (now Interstate 40) ran through Navajo Springs.