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Exit 48 is
a major interchange; it is the gateway to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam via
US-93. Mostly 4-lane and an excellent highway, the traffic flows well even
though it is usually very heavy.
Note: If you don’t know for sure you have enough fuel to reach Flagstaff,
fill up here at this exit. The prices between here and Flagstaff are
enough to give you a coronary! This is also an excellent place to take a
breather and enjoy a leisurely meal. There is an especially good Chinese
restaurant just north of the interchange (on the left about across from
the Texaco station. It is dangerous to call
out names of businesses – they change so quickly.
Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 48 and turn east (to the
right if you're eastbound on I-40) on I-40-Business. Six blocks from the
exit (at the Sheriff's Station) I-40-Business and US-93 split. Stay to the
right and continue on I-40-Business. This is (what used to be) the famous
Route 66. The Tourist Information and Visitor Center is just ahead to the
right in the old Powerhouse at 120 W. Route 66. For more information phone
1-866-427-7866 (toll free).
Kingman Powerhouse - Placed in service in 1907 to generate
electrical power for the city of Kingman. It also supplied the area mines
with power to operate their hoists and pumps. Completion of the Hoover Dam
in 1938 'pulled the plug' on the local generating station. It did remain
in service for a few more years as a substation but technological advances
made that impractical, also.
Rescued by a group of concerned citizens, the old Powerhouse has
been converted into a busy Visitors' Center and houses a number of other
historic-centered organizations. For more information phone 1-866-427-7866
(toll free). Web site:
KingmanPowerhouse.
Locomotive Park - Here, also at the old Powerhouse, famed steam
locomotive #3759 awaits your inspection. Designed as a coal burning
engine, it was converted to burn oil in 1941. It was the last of the big
steam engines to traverse the Santa Fe line to Kingman. It was finally
taken out of service and presented to the city in 1957. Old #3759 was
joined by a brightly decorated caboose in 1987. Don't you know someone who
would love to see them?
For more information phone 1-866-427-7866 (toll free). Web site:
LocomotivePark.
Route 66 Museum - This 'Route 66' Museum is housed in the old
Powerhouse. Kingman is in the “heart” of the longest (remaining) stretch
of the 2400 mile-long US-66 that is now one of America's legends. Here you
can view displays from photos to life-sized dioramas depicting the travel
and travelers along this road which was so important in its day.
For more information phone 1-928-753-9889 or visit their web page:
Route66Museum. The museum is housed in the same building (the old
Powerhouse) as the Kingman Visitors' Center.
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Kingman Army Airfield Museum - In 1943, this Army Air Field was
commissioned to train gunners for our bombers. During the course of World
War II, over 36,000 gunners were trained.
When the War was won in 1945, there was no further need to train
gunners - nor for the aircraft in which they flew. The Air Field was given
the task of converting the aluminum in these planes to aluminum ingots.
This assignment was finally completed in 1948. 70,000,000 pounds of
aluminum were rescued from 7,000 thousand airplanes.
After this last assignment was completed, the military had no further use
for the facility and ownership was transferred to Mohave County. It now
serves as a museum.
To pass on a quote from the Museum: "A relatively few of the
airplanes escaped destruction, and some are still flying today. Others
rest in the museum to be viewed by people who do not remember, or who do
not understand the meaning of what they are seeing. For more information
phone 1-928-757-1892 or visit their web page:
KingmanAAF.
From I-40 take exit 53. Turn left onto Route 66 and follow it along
the railroad tracks to Mohave Airport Drive. Turn right, drive to the end
of the road and turn right onto Flightline Drive. You'll easily see the
museum.
Mohave Museum of History and Arts - This private, not-for-profit
organization was founded in 1961. To quote: "(We) are dedicated to the
purposes of preserving the heritage of Northwestern Arizona and of
presenting that history to the public."
The museum also maintains a library in which are housed documents,
manuscripts, maps, and photos about Mohave County, Arizona and the
American Southwest. For more information phone 1-928-753-3195 or visit
their web page:
MMHA.
The Museum is located just a couple hundred yards east of the Kingman
Visitors' Center.
Reserving a room
in a fine hotel in Kingman is very easy here on Reserv-Net.net. Just
select the community with a left-click of your mouse and then select the
hotel of your choice. You can even request desired amenities. Please be
aware that most of the hotels in Kingman that offer discounted rates are
located on East Andy Devine Avenue near I-40 exit 53. Yes, there are some
hotels near exit 48 but they usually don't offer discounted rates. |
