Desert Power & Water Co., United States historic place
The Desert Power & Water Co. is an oil-fired power station built around 1907-1908 in Kingman, Arizona, now operating as a visitor center. The brick building features large windows and industrial design elements including a boiler house, transformer house, and office spaces that once generated electricity for local communities.
The facility was built in 1907-1908 and operated until 1938, when power from the Hoover Dam made it obsolete. After serving as a salvage yard, the building was revived in the 1980s through local preservation efforts led by community members who sought to restore its significance.
The building reflects early industrial heritage through its simple brick design and functional structure. Today it serves as a gathering place for travelers and locals interested in Route 66 history and Arizona's past.
The site is easily accessible from the street and welcomes visitors during normal business hours. Staff at the visitor center can answer questions about local history and provide Route 66 information for travelers passing through.
The structure was designed as one of the largest steam power plants in the western region before becoming obsolete. Notably, in the 1980s two local women founded the Powerhouse Gang to fundraise and restore the building, turning it into a community asset that continues to draw Route 66 travelers today.
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