Vital Statistics -Location / Description
Kingman is known as The Heart of Historic Route 66 because the longest
remaining preserved stretch of the famous all-American road, Route 66, runs through
downtown. However, that is not all there is to the Kingman.
Kingman is located in northwestern Arizona at the intersection of Interstate
40 and US 93. It is situated in the Hualapai Valley between the Cerbat and Hualapai
Mountain Ranges. The surrounding terrain lends itself to exploration and the
location of Kingman makes it a good stopping place to see the town and to see
the surrounding sites and destinations.
Kingman is a mining a ranching center that is presently experiencing a growth
spurt along with many other areas of Arizona.
Population / Elevation
Population: 27,635 (2006)
Elevation: 3,345 feet above sea level
Weather
History
In October of 1857, Lt. Edward Fitzgerald Beale and his experimental Camel
Corps trudged across the present site of Kingman, Arizona, surveying a wagon
road along the 35th parallel. After the first travelers encountered hostile Indians
in the area, Fort Mojave was established on the Colorado River. Off-duty soldiers
scouted the hills and found gold and silver. Mining camps sprang up in the years
to come and in the early 1870s, cattle were driven in to take advantage of the
lush grasses of the area. In 1880, Lewis Kingman surveyed the area, and the laying
of railroad track was eventually completed in 1883, establishing Kingman as a
mining and ranching center. In 1887, Kingman became the County Seat. Being on
the railroad line and on Route 66 made the area ideal for commerce. It was also
in the direct route to the location of the eventual site of Hoover Dam.
Movie Star, Andy Devine (1905-1977) was from Kingman. A street is named after
him and an annual town event holds his name.
Things To Do
- Golf
- Water Sports
- Hiking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Off-roading
- Sightseeing
- Biking
Events
- January - Polar Bear Dip - A New Year’s Icy Cold Challenge - Join
in a freezing swim on the first day of the new year.
- February - Wild West Days (Oatman,
AZ)
- March - St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Community Fair
- April - Laughlin River Run - Bring your Harley and show off your skill.
- May - Historic Route 66 Fun Run - classic cars travel from Seligman to Topock/Gold
Shores, AZ along the Historic Route 66 and through Kingman.
- May - Festival of the Arts at Metcalfe Park
- June - Old Miners Day Parade and Community Fair
- July Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Display
- August - Hualapai Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival
- August - Mighty Mud Mania - kids get down and dirty on a mud obstacle
course. Then they get cleaned up by fire engine hoses. Super fun and very popular
event.
- September - Gold Camp Days - Labor Day weekend parade with a crazy
hat contest, beard contest, and a Burro Biscuit Throwing Contest
- September - Mohave County Fair at Mohave County Fair Grounds
- September - Andy Devine Days/Rodeo at Mohave County Fair Grounds
- October - Kingman Air and Auto Show
- November - Dick Tomlin Triathlon
- December - Very Merry Parade of Lights - features brilliantly lighted
floats and vehicles
Lodging
Hotels/Motels
Camping & RV Parks
For more information, contact:
Resources & Nearby Attractions
Resources
Nearby Attractions:
Historic Route
66, also known as The Main Street of America, The Will
Rogers Highway, and The Mother Road go through the heart of Kingman.
The Hualapai, Cerbat and Black mountains that surround Kingman offer numerous
recreational opportunities. Mohave County boasts 1,000 miles of shoreline on
the Colorado
River, which includes Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and Lake Mohave. These areas provide
fishing, boating, swimming, and other water sports.
Lake
Mead - largest manmade lake in North America; houseboats and water
sports. Vacation site.
Hoover
Dam (73 miles) - Interesting tours of the dam. Location is en route
to Las Vegas.
Lake Havasu and the London
Bridge (61 miles) - houseboating, waterskiing,
lake activities.
Lake
Mohave - lake recreation site.
Cities & Towns
Parks & Monuments
Near Kingman there are ghost towns and old mining
town sites including Oatman and Chloride. These places are interesting to visit
and they help preserve the heritage of the area.
Recreation & Wilderness Areas
-
Fourteen miles southeast of Kingman is beautiful Hualapai Mountain Park, which
is at an elevation of 6,700 feet. Offered there is overnight camping, picnicking,
hiking and other activities.
- Camp Beale Loop Trail – multipurpose (non-motorized hiking, mountain
bicycling, and equestrian trails)
- White Cliffs Wagon Trail Path – once used
to bring ore from Stockton Hill Mines to the railroad
Historic & Points of Interest
- Bonelli House – This was built in 1915 and
is an example of the type of architecture popular in Arizona at that time. Antiques.
Period pieces. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Mohave
Museum of History and Arts – 12,000 square feet of “Old West” dioramas.
- Historic
Route 66 Museum
- Locomotive Park – Home to
the famed steam engine #3759
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