Dear Editor,
Kingman was founded in 1882 as an Atlantic and Pacific Railroad town. It was christened as the Mohave County seat in 1887. Kingman has an interesting history, known as a historic railroad town named after railroad surveyor Lewis Kingman. In its early days, via the railroad, Kingman was an important supply and shipping center for miners and ranchers.
As a candidate for Kingman City Council, I was interested in a recent agenda item to purchase a 25-foot-tall “Waving Cowboy” made of fiberglass to further enhance Old Downtown Kingman. I think the item is still up for some discussion and there might be a sense of immediate action due to the rare one-of-a-kind nature of this massive cowpuncher.
Given the fact the city has spent millions to improve Old Downtown Kingman to further promote tourism, I must question this potential additional acquisition. Visitors can see the Kingman themes as they pass Lewis Kingman Park or Railroad Park, the railroad station, our historic buildings, and much more. Many come by car simply to set foot on our famous Route 66.
There are some good things to be said about the so-called “revitalization” of Old Downtown Kingman, but with the addition of the newest neon sign promoting getting hitched (married) on Route 66.
I think enough is enough. Kingman is neither Disneyland, nor Las Vegas nor Texas. No one can deny ranchers played a big role in Kingman’s history but this 25-foot-tall wrangler is one downtown cowpoke we don’t need.
Someone once said, “Life is simpler when you plough around the stump,” how long can the city plow around the needs of the rest of our city’s sodbusters?
I can almost hear the raspy voice of Andy Devine saying, “I think it is time we replace the branding iron.”
Elliot Chalew
