Kingman, Arizona – Gateway to Hoover Dam
Kingman, Arizona, a city steeped in history and brimming with attractions, proudly carries the title of the Mohave County seat. Its roots are firmly planted in the late 19th century, specifically 1882, when the arrival of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad transformed the landscape and set the stage for its future development. Today, Kingman, Arizona, stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of the American West, a vibrant community that honors its past while embracing the opportunities of the present.
The story of Kingman, Arizona, begins long before the arrival of the railroad. In October 1857, Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale, a name synonymous with exploration and innovation, led an expedition to survey the 35th parallel. His mission: to chart a course for a wagon road that would traverse the rugged terrain. Faced with the challenges of the arid desert, Beale and his team employed an unconventional mode of transportation – camels. While the idea was initially met with optimism, it ultimately failed to gain widespread acceptance. Nevertheless, Beale’s legacy endured as the completed wagon road, stretching from Fort Defiance to the Colorado River, was named in his honor. The Beale Road soon became a vital artery, facilitating the movement of miners, prospectors, and adventurers seeking their fortunes in the West.
The arrival of the railroad marked a turning point in the history of Kingman, Arizona. In 1880, Lewis Kingman, a surveyor, meticulously charted the route between Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Needles, California. The completed railroad closely paralleled Beale’s historic wagon road, solidifying the area’s importance as a transportation corridor. Years later, Route 66, the iconic "Mother Road," would also follow this well-trodden path, further cementing Kingman’s role as a vital link in the nation’s transportation network.
As the railroad tracks snaked their way across the landscape, a settlement began to take shape. A rooming house and a few stores provided essential services for the railroad workers and travelers passing through. The fledgling town was named in honor of Lewis Kingman, the surveyor whose expertise had paved the way for its existence. By 1883, with the railroad tracks complete, new businesses began to flourish, including a hotel, a restaurant, a saloon, and a mining operations office. A post office was soon established, further solidifying Kingman’s status as a growing community.
The town’s early development was marked by significant milestones. Kingman built its first school, providing educational opportunities for its growing population. The town’s first church was organized, offering spiritual guidance and a sense of community. The Kingman Hotel opened its doors, providing accommodation for travelers and visitors. However, the most significant event of 1887 was when Kingman won the election to become the county seat for Mohave County, wresting the title from nearby Mineral Park. In a bold move, Kingman citizens raided the Mineral Park town hall and absconded with the county documents, symbolically and literally "taking" the county seat.
The Mohave County Miner, a newspaper that had previously opposed the relocation of the county seat, eventually succumbed to economic realities and moved its operations to Kingman. Meanwhile, Mineral Park, once a thriving hub of activity, gradually faded into obscurity, eventually becoming a ghost town.
By 1888, most of the original townsite lots had been sold, and the business district expanded to the north side of the railroad line, now known as Andy Devine Avenue. On the south side, numerous homes were constructed, creating a residential area that reflected the growing community.
Despite an economic downturn in 1893, triggered by a sharp decline in the price of silver, the discovery of gold in the Black Mountains in May 1900 revitalized the local economy. The Gold Road strike attracted miners and promoters, transforming Kingman into a center for the county’s mining activities.
As the 20th century dawned, Kingman had grown to a population of approximately 500 people. The discovery of gold in the surrounding hills fueled further development. The Hotel Beale, constructed in 1900, catered to the increasing number of passengers traveling on the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1906, the Devine family from Flagstaff purchased the hotel, and their son, Andy Devine, a renowned character actor in films from the 1920s to the 1950s, grew up in Kingman. Over the years, the Hotel Beale served guests traveling on the Old Trails Highway and, later, Route 66. After decades of success, the historic Hotel Beale closed in 2012 and now stands abandoned and in disrepair, a poignant reminder of a bygone era.
In 1909, the Hotel Brunswick, established by John Mulligan and John W. Thompson, emerged as a competitor to the Hotel Beale. Boasting three stories, it was the tallest building in the county and surrounding area. The hotel quickly gained a reputation for providing upscale services, featuring Waterford crystal stemware, solid brass beds, and telephones in every room. In 1912, a disagreement between the partners led to the construction of a wall, dividing the hotel into two separate entities. In the 1960s, the dividing walls were removed. In 1997, new owners renovated the building and operated it as a bed and breakfast. In 2012, the building was sold to a Swiss real-estate investor who embarked on a phased renovation project.
During the early 1920s, the Hotel Beale served as a gathering place for local miners, cowboys, businessmen, railroad passengers, and motorists traveling the National Old Trails Highway. Among the miners who frequented the Beale was Louis L’Amour, an adventurous young man who worked at the Katherine Mines. The landscapes and people he encountered in Kingman, Arizona, would later inspire his epic stories of life on the western frontier.
After World War I, mining activities declined, and Kingman experienced economic hardship. However, the mines were revived in the following years, and traffic on Route 66 increased, bringing new opportunities to the city. Cafes, motels, and service stations sprung up along the Mother Road. Today, many of these early establishments can still be seen in Kingman. A visit to the old powerhouse, now a Route 66 Museum and visitor center, is highly recommended. The Powerhouse building also houses Arizona’s Route 66 Association.
During World War II, Kingman was home to a U.S. Army Air Force airfield. Established at the beginning of the war, the Kingman Army Airfield served as an aerial gunnery training base, becoming one of the largest in the country. Following the war, the Kingman Airfield became a major reclamation site for obsolete military aircraft.
The 1950s and 1960s marked the heyday of Route 66, driving Kingman’s economy with a constant stream of vacationers, business travelers, and transportation. However, in August 1980, Interstate 40 opened in Kingman, bypassing Route 66.
The historic Hotel Brunswick, after serving customers for nearly a century, is currently closed but undergoing renovation. Visitors can also explore the White Rock Auto Court, one of the last remaining auto court motels on Route 66. For those seeking a satisfying meal, Mr. D’s Route 66 Diner offers delicious burgers and an eye-catching sign. Throughout the city, more than 60 buildings are listed on the National Historic Register.
Today, the Kingman, Arizona, area is home to approximately 45,000 people and offers a wealth of recreational opportunities nearby, including the Colorado River, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and Lake Mohave. The city is also the closest to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a popular tourist attraction.
Kingman, Arizona, is located in northwestern Arizona at the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. 93, making it easily accessible to travelers.
For those interested in exploring ghost towns, a short trip northwest will lead to Chloride, a well-preserved example of a bygone era. Route 66 also provides access to the historic mining camps of Goldroad and Oatman, Arizona.