| Page Views: 200 Last Visit to Needles: 2008 I Visit Here Frequently | Needles by Yaqui - last update: Dec 18, 2008 |
| The sharp peaks- hence Needles! |
Long before the arrival of the white man, Needles was home to The Mojave - Aha Macav, or Pipa Aha Macav, - the people by the river. The people by the river were farmer who grew crops of beans, corn, and pumpkins and used irrigation to water their crops. They were expert fishermen by using nets and catching small games with traps. They were expert pottery makers by using the clay from the river. They were known for their body decoration of tattooing that included all members of the tribes. Now they live on the reservation called Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. Their descendants have lived here for at least a thousand years.
The Colorado River brought settlements and in the late 1850's Lt. Edward F. Beale recommended that a fort be established in the area for protection of travelers from Indians. Fort Mojave was established in 1859 and was soon a route along the old Mojave Road, traveled extensively by the military, settlers to the gold fields of California. |
|  | In 1883 the railroad arrived established the settlement called Needles due to the sharp peaks at the south of the valley. In 1890 the Red Rock steel cantilever bridge was built to replace the old wooden one. |
The El Garces Harvey House and Train Depot Built 1908, The El Garces Hotel/Santa Fe Depot was once one of the crown jewels of the Harvey Houses with its lovely ornate structure that served as a train station, restaurant, and hotel. It stopped serving passengers around 1949, but was still being used by Santa Fe till 1988. She sat abandon and derelict until in 1993 when the Friends of El Garces and the City of Needles saved her. The city bought her from Santa Fe for $130,000 and now she is being completely restored. | | | Needles El Gares Train Station |
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| Pros: | "A very historical city, lots to see and do here!" | | Cons: | "It gets really hot here in summer!" | | In A Nutshell: | "Treasures in the desert!" |
Yaqui's Needles Travel Tips
 Comments for Yaqui about Needles | | | | |
nickandchris Tue Oct 27, 2009 17:28 UTC
Looks like you have found another historical gem here. I'd like to see the hotel when it is finished! | toonsarah Thu Oct 15, 2009 19:23 UTC
Love the dramatic scenery of your opening shot, and all the history attached to that old hotel. And one day I want to drive the length of Route 66 - have done little segments but it's not the same! | gilabrand Wed Oct 7, 2009 18:12 UTC
Oy vey, what a name. It makes me think of doctors...LOL | Mikebb Thu Sep 10, 2009 23:08 UTC
On Route 66, I used to watch the TV series years ago. Railway hotels were always somehing special when built, good to read the City is restoring . |
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