Kingman Doxol Fire July 5, 1973

 One of those events which defines a community occurred in Kingman during the summer of 1973.  A tanker was transferring propane to several tanks.  This was at the Doxol Gas Western Energy Company.  The rail tanker was on a spur of the rail road and the propane was being transported to storage tanks 75 yards away.  One of the valves was leaking.  A wrench was used to attempt to close the valve, but this created a spark which ignited the propane and it burned like a blow torch.  Two rail workers were injured, and one would die.  The second, although injured, would cross the street and make it to the highway patrol office and report the fire.  The fire department was summoned.  At that time Kingman had a volunteer fire department.  They lack equipment to put the fire out, but were trying to keep the tanker cool by spraying water.  Their efforts failed and the propane tank exploded.  This created a blast which enveloped the firemen.  Eleven firemen passed away, one train worker and one police officer.  Not only that but spectators had formed along the route 66 on the other side of the highway.  Flaming debris rained on the spectators.  The original tank car landed a quarter mile away.  Mohave General received 107 injured people.  The worse cases were sent by plane or helicopter to Phoenix and Las Vegas.  The fact that the newly constructed high school was named Lee Williams attests that this event still forms part of the local psychic.   Lee Williams was principal at Kingman High School and also a volunteer fireman who perished that day.  

Area Historic Points of Interest has a very good article with links to the memorial site and stories of the firemen who passed away.  

The Welcome to Kingman article includes some very good photos.

There is a video of pictures on Facebook Promote Kingman.

warped metal plate at Memorial Park

Historical and National Register Homes in Kingman

 Hubbs House.  Hubbs house was designed by its owner Harry Hubbs and built by John Mulligan and William Atkin in 1893.  It is a Queen Anne style home with adobe construction and the first home in Kingman with clapboard siding.  It would catch fire nine times and burn down three.  It was always rebuilt.  Harry Hubbs and his wife sold the home and established two hotels in Kingman, the Brunswick and Beale Hotels.  The water tank supports the claim the Hubbs House was the first in Kingman with running water.

S.T. Elliott House.  S.T. Elliot ran Elliott Store in Kingman from 1907 until he retired in 1935.  The Elliott Home, bungalow/craftsman style was built in 1917.  Corner of Spring and Fifth

Ross H. Blakeley home is on Spring Street.  Built in 1897 Queen Anne style.  Blakeley was a lawyer who also did some ranching and politics.

Dr. Toler White or affectionately the "White House" is on Spring Street.  Built in 1916

White Cliffs Trail: Kingman

 This is a trail/road within Kingman city which preserves the mining history of the area.  This trail wasn't the original trail from the Stockton Hill Mine to the rail depot.  However it was discovered that it could cut a couple miles off the original trail and also avoid an area that often became bogged down with mud.  It was probably built in 1890.

They hauled ore over the road from the mine.  They also hauled tufa stone which was used for construction of homes in Kingman.  

An interesting feature at the trail is the ruts which have been imprinted in the stone.  Also there is a series of depressions which were used somehow in conjunction with logs and rope to slow the descent of the wagons.  

After 1910 the road saw less use when a new road was constructed which follows present day Route 66.  After 1925 the road was completely abandoned after it flooded that year.