Siligman was founded in 1895 as an important railroad stop. In the 1920's Seligman embraced Route 66 and, along with the railroad, tourist trade became the main sources of income. In the late 1970's, the old Route 66 was bypassed by the Interstate and the Santa Fe railroad stopped its operation in l985. Because of this, many towns on the "old road" have faded away and become ghost towns. However, due to the efforts of the Delgadillo's and others, Seligman did not meet this fate.