Arizona Buzz News
A Journey to Kingman-
The Heart of Historic Route 66
This is the third installment in our trip down Historic Route 66 in Arizona. The state of Arizona is the only state that can boast of having the longest continuous stretch of Route 66 still in existence. We kicked our trip off in the quaint town of Seligman and then journeyed on to Peach Springs. We stopped at a few attractions along the way - Grand Canyon Caverns, Grand Canyon West as well as Havasupai Canyon and its beautiful waterfalls. This month the road runs to Kingman. But along the way we will make a few stops at towns along the route from Peach Springs to Kingman. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Truxton
Truxton is less than 15 minutes west of Peach Springs. This was truly a community built around Route 66 when Clyde McCune opened a gas station and a cafe was opened by Donald Dits in 1951. Other amenities in the town sprang up over time to provide services to travelers. Some remain but many are gone. Today you can still find a gas station, small grocery, and of course, the Truxton Cafe and Frontier Motel.
Ray and Mildred Barker purchased the Truxton Cafe and its adjacent Frontier Motel in 1957. The hotel and cafe continue to operate. Stop in for a slice of pie and a Route 66 history primer.
Valentine
Next stop is the tiny community of Valentine, which is about 10 miles from Truxton. The community was established in 1898 as Truxton Canyon and continues to be the home of the Truxton Canyon Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs. It wasn't until 1910 the name Valentine was chosen as an honor to Robert G. Valentine, who served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1908-1910.
Still standing today are remains of two schoolhouses. The Indian School, which opened in 1917 and operated through the late 1930's. However, later on the school reopened and was in use until 1969. The second schoolhouse, also known as "The Little Red Schoolhouse," was built in 1924. A reminder of a different time when segregation was in effect, this school served students who were not Native Americans.
At one time, Valentine had a contract post office. As you can imagine, the Valentine's post office was busy place in February. Thousands of cards would be sent to Valentine for the heart shaped postmark.
Hackberry
Continuing on Route 66, Hackberry is a little more than 20 miles west of Truxton. The town's origins date back to 1874 when prospectors set up a mining camp on the east side of the Peacock Mountains. It was silver that called out to the prospectors. However, mining ceased in 1919 because of litigation among the owners of the Hackberry Silver Mine. The closure of the mine caused the population of the town to dwindle.
At Hackberry's General Store you can take a trip into the past. The store is a virtual museum of all that is Route 66. Photo courtesy of Kai Verner Knudsen.
Shortly after the prospectors/miners arrived on the scene, along came the railroad in 1882. This time, however, the cash crop was cattle as the town served as a debarkation point. The number of cattle shipped from this point was at one time the third largest in volume in Arizona.
Another scene from the Hackberry General Store. Photo courtesy of Kai Verner Knudsen.
The introduction of Route 66 changed the town's focus from a mining and railroad community to a community providing amenities for travelers. Today, there are only a few structures remaining such as the Hackberry Elementary School built in 1917 and in use through 1994 and the Hackberry General Store.
The store was given a new lease on life in the early 1990's and today serves as museum and visitor information source for all that is Route 66. Definitely a trip into the past, you will find a plethora of Route 66 memorabilia, history and lore at the Hackberry General Store. You will want to stop and stay awhile, see a piece of living history and enjoy a bottle of root beer.
Kingman
Continue on Route 66 to Kingman, approximately 30 miles from the town of Hackberry. Kingman is by far one of the largest towns on our tour of Route 66 and, as with many other communities along Route 66, it roots are with the railroad. Initially, the community served as a railroad stop near Beales Springs in the Middleton Section along the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad route.
Other Kingman milestones followed: the town established in 1882; the first store opened in 1883; a new schoolhouse completed at the southwest of 4th & Oak streets in 1886; and selected as the Mohave County seat in 1887 by a county election.
Over the years, the Kingman continued to grow. By the early 1900's, the population grew to 500. A rich gold find in the Black Mountains, Gold Road, caused Kingman to become a center for mining activity within the county. Ups and downs followed within the mining community, but the existence of Route 66 and the railroad helped Kingman to rebound. One of the towns most famous residents was actor Andy Devine, who referred to Kingman as his hometown. Other Hollywood trivia includes the fact that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married in Kingman.
Today, Kingman is a bustling city that continues to grow each year. All of the amenities of a metropolitan city can be found in Kingman. But with all of the growth, the town hasn't forgotten its link to the historic Mother Road. Kingman bears the moniker of being within the heart of Route 66. Additionally, the historic downtown area along Route 66 has not changed much. A stroll or cruise to Andy Devine Avenue and Beale Street will let you live a slice of history.
Powerhouse Visitor Center
One stop that you won't want to miss is a visit to the Powerhouse Visitor Center, where the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona's office and gift shop are located. If you want to discover more about Kingman, the Powerhouse Visitor Center is the perfect place to spend some time as the Carlos Elmer Gallery, Memory Lane Diner, a model railroad store, an Old West store, Historic Route 66 Museum and the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce are also housed within the building. This is definitely a place you will want to linger to learn more about the legend and lore of Kingman and Route 66.
Even the building has interesting origins. Opened in 1907, the "Powerhouse" served as a centralized and consistent electric power supply to area mines. But, by 1940, the powerhouse ceased functioning as a power station and became a storage facility. The old powerhouse was renovated in the mid-1990's and once again began to serve Kingman, albeit in a different capacity. Also of interest, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Powerhouse Visitors Center is located 120 W. Route 66.
Walking Tour
You will want to park your car for a little bit and put on your walking shoes to fully experience Kingman. A walking tour guidebook is available the Mohave Museum of History and Arts as well as the Powerhouse Visitors Center. You will see 60 properties listed on the National Register as historic structures. The walk includes the areas along Andy Devine Avenue from the Powerhouse to the Santa Fe Train Depot on 4th Street.
For more information about Route 66 and Kingman, please visit:
The Kingman Buzz
Route 66 Association of Arizona
Kingman Tourism
Truxton
Ray and Mildred Barker purchased the Truxton Cafe and its adjacent Frontier Motel in 1957. The hotel and cafe continue to operate. Stop in for a slice of pie and a Route 66 history primer.
Valentine
Still standing today are remains of two schoolhouses. The Indian School, which opened in 1917 and operated through the late 1930's. However, later on the school reopened and was in use until 1969. The second schoolhouse, also known as "The Little Red Schoolhouse," was built in 1924. A reminder of a different time when segregation was in effect, this school served students who were not Native Americans.
Shortly after the prospectors/miners arrived on the scene, along came the railroad in 1882. This time, however, the cash crop was cattle as the town served as a debarkation point. The number of cattle shipped from this point was at one time the third largest in volume in Arizona.
The introduction of Route 66 changed the town's focus from a mining and railroad community to a community providing amenities for travelers. Today, there are only a few structures remaining such as the Hackberry Elementary School built in 1917 and in use through 1994 and the Hackberry General Store.
The store was given a new lease on life in the early 1990's and today serves as museum and visitor information source for all that is Route 66. Definitely a trip into the past, you will find a plethora of Route 66 memorabilia, history and lore at the Hackberry General Store. You will want to stop and stay awhile, see a piece of living history and enjoy a bottle of root beer.
Other Kingman milestones followed: the town established in 1882; the first store opened in 1883; a new schoolhouse completed at the southwest of 4th & Oak streets in 1886; and selected as the Mohave County seat in 1887 by a county election.
Over the years, the Kingman continued to grow. By the early 1900's, the population grew to 500. A rich gold find in the Black Mountains, Gold Road, caused Kingman to become a center for mining activity within the county. Ups and downs followed within the mining community, but the existence of Route 66 and the railroad helped Kingman to rebound. One of the towns most famous residents was actor Andy Devine, who referred to Kingman as his hometown. Other Hollywood trivia includes the fact that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married in Kingman.
Today, Kingman is a bustling city that continues to grow each year. All of the amenities of a metropolitan city can be found in Kingman. But with all of the growth, the town hasn't forgotten its link to the historic Mother Road. Kingman bears the moniker of being within the heart of Route 66. Additionally, the historic downtown area along Route 66 has not changed much. A stroll or cruise to Andy Devine Avenue and Beale Street will let you live a slice of history.
Powerhouse Visitor Center
One stop that you won't want to miss is a visit to the Powerhouse Visitor Center, where the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona's office and gift shop are located. If you want to discover more about Kingman, the Powerhouse Visitor Center is the perfect place to spend some time as the Carlos Elmer Gallery, Memory Lane Diner, a model railroad store, an Old West store, Historic Route 66 Museum and the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce are also housed within the building. This is definitely a place you will want to linger to learn more about the legend and lore of Kingman and Route 66.
Even the building has interesting origins. Opened in 1907, the "Powerhouse" served as a centralized and consistent electric power supply to area mines. But, by 1940, the powerhouse ceased functioning as a power station and became a storage facility. The old powerhouse was renovated in the mid-1990's and once again began to serve Kingman, albeit in a different capacity. Also of interest, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Powerhouse Visitors Center is located 120 W. Route 66.
