The Beale Celebrations building at the very heart of the historic
Photo Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
district renaissance is more than just an ideal setting for events, conferences, and concerts. It represents tremendous opportunity for someone with vision. As it the building is a direct link to more than sixty years of Kingman history, it also provides opportunity for some fun with trivia.
In 1951, the corner of Fourth and Beale Streets in Kingman, Arizona, just one block north of Front Street, the very busy Route 66 corridor through town, was transformed. Old home, some of which dated to the late 19th century, were razed and in their place a new modern store was built. This was the home of J.C. Penny’s for decades in Kingman.
Now, let’s have some fun with a bit of historic trivia. The winner will receive a free pass to Kingman area museums. Submit your answers to Jim Hinckley on the Jim Hinckley’s America Facebook page. This is a multi-part question, and you will need to answer all correctly to win.
One, what year did J.C. Penny first open a store in Kingman? Next, what year did the first store close? Where was this store located? Wait, there is more.
With establishment of Penny’s on Fourth and Beale Street, the surrounding neighborhood changed dramatically. Just north of the store on Fourth Street, in 1953, a new restaurant opened that became a favored hangout for local teens. That former restaurant is now Gracie’s Vintage. What is the name of the restaurant?
The historic business district in Kingman, as in most cities, has been in a near constant state of flux and evolution since its establishment in the 1880s. The saga of J.C. Penny’s is but one chapter. If the history of this district is of interest, you might want to consider a neon night walking tour led by author Jim Hinckley. With use of photos from the archives of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, he chronicles the colorful story of Kingman. The tours are offered through the kingmantourism.com and Promote Kingman initiatives developed by MyMarketing Designs.
There are other wonderful opportunities to discover this rich and vibrant district. First Friday activities transform the are with live music, special hours at local galleries and shop, vendors, and teeming crowds. Chillin’ on Beale, third Saturday evening of the month April through September, transforms the district into a living time capsule; with colorful vintage cars and hot rods on display or cruising the streets, live music, beer tents, and more.
And if your looking to tap into this exciting renaissance to enhance a business, showcase a cause, or add to the value of a conference, Beale Celebrations needs to be your first stop in historic Kingman, Arizona.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America