Mohave Museum

The Mohave Museum in Kingman, AZ is not only a very nice museum, but a tourist bargain!  The entrance fee for adults is $4.00, seniors $3.00, and children under 12 free!  Your ticket not only allows you return use of the museum library, but provides free entrance to the Bonelli House (typically a donation fee) and the Powerhouse museum (typically a $5.00 fee).  While in the area you will see both Mohave and Mojave used on signs, although Mohave is the county name and more prevalent spelling used.  Mojave spelled with j is the original Indian spelling, whereas, Mohave spelled with h is the English version.  

The museum has a nice portrait display of all the U.S. presidents and first ladies.  The only other display of this kind is said to be in the Smithsonian. 

This room has the most recent presidents and first ladies. 

This is a nice mural of the Route 66 theme and James Dean. 

Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe!  I was just going to state their first names, but figured I better include the last names for the younger generations!

These displays chronicle the history of the area beginning with the local tribes. 

The camels in the first display represents Lt. Beale's trek along the 35th parallel utilizing camels to explore the desert for viable wagon trails.  I was surprised to learn of camels being used in America.  The second display is the westward move of pioneers and the third display is mining. 

Here is another look at the establishment of mining and communities.

This is the natural wood core of a Saguaro Cactus.

This is the Indian artifacts room.

I've always been somewhat fascinated with Kachinas, but made equally uncomfortable by their spiritual connection.  Wikipedia gives an excellent explanation of Kachinas.

This is an interesting display about the Mohave custom of tatooing.

Locally you will see reference to Olive Oatman for which the mining camp of Oatman was named for.  In 1851 at the age of 14, Olive was traveling with her family, when she and her 7 year old sister were captured by local Indians.  While living with the Mohave tribe, Olive and her sister were tatooed according to the Mohave tradition.  The military who heard of Olive's existence with the Mohave Indians negotiated her return to English culture at the age of 19.  Her sister had died at the age of 11.  Olive went on to live to age 66.  She wrote and spoke of her experience throughout her lifetime.  She died of natural causes in 1903.  There is a nice write-up on Wikipedia of the events that led to her capture, as well as, her life upon her return to the English culture. The experience of Olive Oatman will definitely give you a vivid picture of the perils of pioneer travels!

Here are more great displays of Indian artifacts.

Here is a display of branding irons and brands used before 1895. 

This is a nice display of an early tack room.

Who knew there were so many kinds of barb wire and a historical progression to their development and patenting!  It makes me think of the worlds only barb wire museum, located in McLean, Texas!  Isn't it interesting what captivates people's interest! 

Looking at the weight these burros hauled, one can't help but gain an instant appreciation for the impact burros had on conquering the West!

Look at this burro's load and the terrain it traversed with it!  I am totally in awe of burros now!   

This big room has a nice display of miscellaneous things from a variety of time periods. 

I got a chuckle out of the double meaning in the name of this early female baseball team!  Cute uniform! 

There were nice displays outdoors, too!

This is the inside of the caboose.  It is amazingly complete for all the things a person  needs to be comfortable. 

I love murals on the outside of buildings!  This mural displaying the progression of transportation through the West ties right in with the next blog about the National Old Trails Highway!