Kingman Then & Now
- By:
- Joshua Noble
- Posted On:
- Oct 13, 2012 at at 12:00 PM
- Category:
- History and Culture
Kingman Today & ca 1890
The cutout captures Kingman at about 10 years in existence. In 1917, the prominent wooden structure in the foreground was replaced with a Tufa stone sanctuary, which is where Clark Gable & Carol Lombard were married in 1939. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Kingman Today & ca 1938
This overlook of Kingman is down 2nd Street (from the top of "K Hill") with a cutout taken sometime between 1936 & 1940. Historic Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts. Historic image is courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Kingman Today & in 1910
This is Route 66 during a present day Route 66 Fun Run with a cutout of the 1910 4th of July Parade. Historic image is courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Central Commercial today & ca 1920
Central Commercial was "America's Most Amazing Country Store" and Kingman's 'one-stop-shop' in the early & mid 1900's. The building was built in 1917 and restored in 2008, the historic picture was taken around 1920 and is courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Powerhouse Today & ca 1930
The Kingman Powerhouse provided power to area mines and the Kingman community. It was built between 1907 & 1909, first 'juicing' the lines in July 1909. It also provided power for the construction of Hoover Damn, the cheap hydroelectric power of which rendered expensive diesel generated power obsolete, resulting in the discountenance of electrical production at the Powerhouse. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
City Stables 1915
These 'automobiles for hire' were among the very first in Kingman. According to an newspaper article from the 1930's, these were 6 of the 8 autos in Mohave County at the time. Historic image is courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Camp Beale 1871-74
Camp Beale was an army camp, then an Indian Reservation for a short period. A spring at the site supplied water for early Kingman. Today, a walking path leads from the spring through the camp are where some foundations can still be seen. Free permit to visit the historic site can be picked up at the Kingman Visitor Center.
Route 66 Neon Lights ca 1950
Route 66 in the 1950's and 60's was full of cafes, shops and hotels with neon lights. This rare color historic image was snapped looking east on Route 66 in the early 1950's. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Kingman - Beale & 6th Streets
This picture was taken sometime between 1900 & 1920 during a rare Kingman snow fall. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Kingman Canyon ca 1900
This shows the railroad track just west of town. By 1918, National Old Trails Highway was cut in along this piece of rail road on the canyon floor, and eventually Route 66 followed. The roadbed in the modern day image is Route 66 today. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Old Trails Hwy ca 1918
This dirt road was once part of the National Old Trails Hwy, the predecessor to Route 66. Modern day Route 66 is just a couple hundred feet the the right of this trail. Image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Pool at Beale Springs ca 1910
The Spring at Camp Beale (water reservoir pictured here ca 1910) provided water for early Kingman and the water for stream driven electric power at the Kingman Powerhouse. Historical image courtesy of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
Kingman has a rich history in America's move west from the railroad to Route 66. The Mohave Museum of History & Arts keeps that history alive and accessible. Over the past couple years, we collected some of these images and created a Geocaching project to highlight Kingman's history and bring people to the places of our past to see how that plays into Kingman today. The process lead to a collection of historic then-&-now images that are so fasinating to look at. Here is a sampling of this work. More images can be seen with information in the then & now section of the photo gallery.
The cutout in the first image captures Kingman at about 10 years in existence. The prominent building is the original St John's Methodist Church. In 1917 the wooden structure was replaced with a Tufa stone sanctuary, which is where Clark Gable & Carol Lombard were married in 1939. The couple then honeymooned in Oatman.
This next image is Route 66 during a present day Route 66 Fun Run with a cutout of the 1910 4th of July Parade.
Route 66 in the 1950's and 60's was full of cafes, shops and hotels with neon lights. This third picture is a rare color historic photo that was snapped looking east on Route 66 in the early 1950's.
