List of historic properties in Kingman, Arizona

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List of historic properties in Kingman, Arizona
Kingman-Historic Diistrict in Kingman.jpg
Kingman Historic Commercial District
AZMap-doton-Kingman.png
Location of Kingman in Mohave County, Arizona.
Coordinates: 35°12′30″N114°1′33″W / 35.20833°N 114.02583°W / 35.20833; -114.02583

This is a list that includes a photographic gallery of some remaining historical buildings, houses, structures and monuments in Kingman, Arizona. Some of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Also, included are images of the historic Steam Engine #3759 which was built in 1927 for the Santa Fe Railroad.

Contents

Brief history

Fort Mohave close to Kingman At Fort Mojave, on the Colorado River, 1,450 miles west of Missouri River. (Boston Public Library) (cropped).jpg
Fort Mohave close to Kingman

The first people to inhabit the current city of Kingman and its surrounding area were the Anasazi known as the “Ancient Ones,” and their Native American descendants, principally the Hualapai, Havasupai and Mohave tribes.

The first documented exploration of the area by Europeans was that made by the Spaniards led by Marcos de Niza. In 1539, he and his men arrived in the Kingman area in search of gold. The following year Francisco Vásquez de Coronado explored the area as well. Arizona was part of the state of Sonora, Mexico in 1822, however, the settled population by the Mexicans was small. During the California gold rush of 1849, people from the east coast of the United States and Anglo's from Europe began to travel into the area to explore and search for gold. Many of these travelers established homesteads and settled down in the area.

Between 1830 and 1860, the United States nearly doubled the amount of territory under its control. The United States fought against Mexico in what is known as the Mexican–American War. The war ended officially when the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. It specified its major consequence, the Mexican Cession of the northern territories of Alta California and Santa Fe de Nuevo México to the United States. [1]

The relations between the new settlers and the Mohaves was a friendly one at first. The Mohaves sold the wild game and other supplies to the travelers. They also acted as guides and messengers between wagon trains. The settlers, however still feared the possibility of an attack by the local natives.

Beale's Wagon Road

Beale Wagon Road Monument marker Kingman-Beale Wagon Road Monument-2.jpg
Beale Wagon Road Monument marker

In 1857, President James Buchanan appointed Edward Fitzgerald Beale to survey and build a 1,000-mile wagon road from Fort Defiance, Arizona to the Colorado River, on the border between Arizona and California along the 35th parallel. The wagon trail began at Fort Smith, Arkansas and continued through the New Mexico Territory to Fort Defiance. He then continued west over what is now northern Arizona to Camp Beale Springs near the modern City of Kingman. Many settlers used the wagon trail to move to the West. There is a marker in Kingman which indicates the area of the wagon trail which became part of U.S. Route 66 and the route for the Transcontinental railroad. [2] [3]

Atlantic & Pacific Railroad

Lewis Kingman, a civil engineer, who surveyed and built several thousands of miles of railroad lines. Kingman worked for the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad. In January 1880, Kingman's assignment was to survey and establish a railroad line from Flagstaff, Arizona to the Colorado River via Topock, Arizona. Kingman was in charge of the railroad contract work from Winslow to Beale Springs. In December 1881, Kingman was appointed chief engineer with a full charge of the railroad construction. Much of the length of the line which he established was parallel to Beale's Wagon Trail. The track reached the site of what is now the City of Kingman under his supervision. He chose the area as a station to house railroad construction materials. [2]

Kingman City

Historic Kingman 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air police car#1 a.k.a. "Jingles" Kingman-Old Police Car Jingles-2.jpg
Historic Kingman 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air police car#1 a.k.a. "Jingles"

The Kingman townsite, named for Lewis Kingman, was designated in 1882. The original Kingman townsite was within the boundaries of what are now First and Sixth, Pine and Golconda streets. Johanna Wilkinson and her sister Francis came to the Kingman territory in the early 1880s. Her brother Tobi, who was working for the railroad, told her that the railroad workers had little food, only what they could get from the land which mostly consisted of rabbits. Tobi urged Johanna to come and cook for the railroad workers because he told she would make "good money." Johanna and Francis hired a teamster to haul their supplies and made the 300 plus mile trip. Once there, they set up a tent directly across from the train station Lewis Kingman had built, and cooking on an iron cast stove, fed the workers who sat on boxes and ate on boards for tables. Business thrived and Johanna and Francis added a wood floor to their restaurant. Learning that the workers were sleeping in the box cars or on the ground, they set up additional tents where they rented cots for the workers to sleep on. As Kingman developed into a mining town, Johanna married Harvey Hubbs and together they built Kingman's first hotel, the Hubbs House. The hotel caught fire nine times thanks to the miners smoking opium and tobacco and in bed. Because water had to be brought in from Peach Springs, there was no water to fight the fires. They built another Hubbs House, the first two-story building in Kingman, and then later the in partnership with Beale, the Beale Hotel which still stands. Harvey and Johanna's home was restored by the city of Kingman and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Harvey would serve as county sheriff, county treasurer, and owned mines. He introduced Kingman to its first water system. Later, there was Mrs. Smith's lodging house and Mrs. Smith's restaurant located next to Ryan's Saloon. Kingman, which was a railroad town, prospered while many of the towns in Arizona, which were established as mining towns, went into decline after the mines were depleted. [2]

In 1887, votes were taken to determine where the Mohave County seat was to be established and Kingman won. The county seat moved to Kingman and the courthouse offices were located in a two-story frame building, constructed by Orvin Peasley and W.H. Taggart. Kingman was officially incorporated in 1952 [2]

Among the early constructed historical properties in Kingman is the Little Red Schoolhouse which was built in 1896. Actor Andy Devine was an alumnus of the school. [4] Also the Saint John's Methodist Episcopal Church which was built in 1917 and styled like an ancient Greek Temple. On March 29, 1939, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married there. [2]

Some of the structures in Kingman are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There are other structures, which according to the "Route 66 in Arizona Survey Report" are eligible to be listed in National Register of Historic Places. [5] The fact that a property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or that it may be eligible to be listed as such, does not mean that the property is safe from being demolished by its owner. According to Jim McPherson, Arizona Preservation Foundation Board President:


"It is crucial that residents, private interests, and government officials act now to save these elements of our cultural heritage before it is too late." [6]

Route 66

Historic Route 66 Kingman-Historic Route 66 in Kingman.jpg
Historic Route 66

Route 66, also known as "The Mother Road", received official designation in 1926, after the government enacted a plan for the national highway which would link Chicago with Los Angeles. During its heyday, Route 66 connected the main streets of rural and urban communities. The route represented an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people who packed up their belongings with the intention of escaping from the ruining effects of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Route 66 passed through a section of Kingman in what once was known as "Front St." and is now known as Andy Divine Ave. It played an important role in the history of Kingman and had a positive impact on the businesses on its path. Though historical, Route 66 lost its official United States Highway designation in 1985. [7]

The Historic Powerhouse Building in Kingman, which supplied power to Kingman and area mines until Hoover Dam began producing power in the late 1930s, is now home to the Arizona Route 66 Museum. [8]

Mohave County Historical Society

According to the Mohave County Historical Society, which is located at 400 West Beale Street, its mission is the following: [9]

Purpose:
…to increase and diffuse the knowledge and appreciation of the history of Mohave County, Arizona, and its early settlers and inhabitants; to maintain a museum in the City of Kingman, Arizona; to collect and preserve objects of historical and scientific interest; to protect historical and prehistoric sites, works of art and scenic places from needless destruction; and to provide facilities for research and publication. (From Articles of Incorporation, October 13, 1960)
Mission Statement:
Through the operation of the museum and archival facilities, to collect, preserve and protect Mohave County’s cultural and historic heritage, including historic and prehistoric sites, for public enjoyment, education and professional research. (Adopted January 15, 2004)

Historic properties

AT&SF Locomotive #3759

Historic District

Buildings

The following historic business structures are either listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually [13] or as contributing factors within the Historic Kingman Commercial District. [11] The names posted are the original names used when first built.

Historic buildings not pictured:

Houses of religious worship

Educational institutions

Actor Andy Devine Andy Devine Wild Bill Hickok 1956.jpg
Actor Andy Devine

Among the historical educational institutions in Kingman are the following:

Houses

The following is brief description of the houses in Kingman, many which are listed as historical by the National Register of Historic Places. [20]

William G. Blakely - preacher and judge William G Blakely.jpg
William G. Blakely – preacher and judge

Historic houses not pictured:

Restricted areas

Two properties which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but whose address is restricted by the government. However, Camp Beale Springs and its trails is now open to the public. [21]

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohave County, Arizona</span> County in Arizona, United States

Mohave County is in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, its population was 213,267. The county seat is Kingman, and the largest city is Lake Havasu City. It is the fifth largest county in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingman, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Kingman is a city in, and the county seat of, Mohave County, Arizona, United States. It is named after Lewis Kingman, an engineer for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. It is located 105 miles (169 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Arizona's state capital, Phoenix. The population was 32,689 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe 3759</span> Preserved American Santa Fe 3751 class 4-8-4 locomotive

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 3759 is a class 3751 4-8-4 "Heavy Mountain" type steam railway locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1928. It is on display in Locomotive Park, located between Andy Devine Avenue and Beale Street in Kingman, Arizona. The park was established in August 1957 with AT&SF 3759 donated to the City of Kingman in recognition of Kingman's history with the railroad. The locomotive is termed a Mountain type on the nearby information plaque, and also in the city's descriptive material which is correct for the Santa Fe. ATSF 4-8-4s were referenced in documentation as type "Heavy Mountain", "New Mountain" or "Mountain 4-wheel trailer."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foster S. Dennis House</span> Historic house in Arizona, United States

The Foster S. Dennis House is a Queen Anne style house located in Kingman, Arizona. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was evaluated for National Register listing as part of a 1985 study of 63 historic resources in Kingman that led to this and many others being listed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hubbs House</span> United States historic place in Kingman, Arizona

Hubbs House is Queen Anne style built in 1893 at 4th and Golconda Streets in Kingman, Arizona. The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. Its historic status was reviewed as part of a 1985 study of 63 historic resources in Kingman that led to many others being listed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Red School (Kingman, Arizona)</span> United States historic place

The Little Red School is a former school building located in Kingman, Arizona, that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohave County Courthouse and Jail</span> United States historic place

The historic Mohave County Courthouse and Jail buildings on Spring Street at North 4th Street in Kingman, Mohave County, northwestern Arizona, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. T. Elliott House</span> Historic house in Arizona, United States

The S. T. Elliott House is a Bungalow/Craftsman style house located in Kingman, Arizona. It was evaluated for National Register listing as part of a 1985 study of 63 historic resources in Kingman that led to this and many others being listed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohave County Hospital</span> Former hospital in Arizona, United States

The Mohave County Hospital was between Grand View and First Street on Beale Street, in Kingman, Mohave County, western Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armour and Jacobson Building</span> United States historic place

The Armour & Jacobson Building is a commercial building located in Kingman, Arizona. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van Marter Building</span> United States historic place

The Van Marter Building, located at 423–427 East Beale Street in Kingman, Arizona, was built in 1921 and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Placed since May 14, 1986. The building was built with a Mission/Spanish Revival architectural style. J. B. Lammers of Flagstaff, Arizona was the contractor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House at 105 Spring St.</span> United States historic place in Kingman, Arizona

The House at 105 Spring Street is a Bungalow/Craftsman style house located in Kingman, Arizona. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was evaluated for National Register listing as part of a 1985 study of 63 historic resources in Kingman that led to this and many others being listed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingman Commercial Historic District</span> United States historic area in Mohave County, Arizona

The Kingman Commercial Historic District is a 4.5-acre (1.8 ha) historic district along the 300 and 400 blocks of Andy Devine Ave. in Kingman, Arizona. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It includes seven contributing properties; it includes Moderne, Queen Anne, and Mission/Spanish Revival designed by W. Royal Lescher and others.

References

  1. Robarts, "Mexican War veterans" pp.1–24
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 History of Kingman
  3. Kingman Arizona History
  4. 1 2 "The Kingman School System – Genealogy Trails" . Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  5. Motley Design Group (May 25, 2012). "An Historic Resource Survey of Route 66 in Arizona" (PDF). Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  6. "Arizona Preservation Foundation". azpreservation.org. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  7. History Highway
  8. Route 66 Museum
  9. Mohave Museum
  10. AT&SF Locomotive #3759
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory
  12. 1 2 3 Kingman Commercial Historic District
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 National Register of Historic Places NRHP in Kingman
  14. Kingman Historic Buildings
  15. Spurr, Henry C., ed. (1921). "Re Desert Power & Water Co. (Arizona Corporation Commission)". Public Utilities Reports: 1921. Rochester, NY: Public Utilities Reports, Inc. p. 311.
  16. Saint John's Methodist Episcopal Church
  17. St. Mary's Catholic Church and Rectory
  18. Gymnasium
  19. Palo Christi School
  20. National Register of Historic Places in Mohave County, Arizona
  21. 1 2 Camp Beale Springs
  22. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.