Needles - The Gateway to California
Located on the scenic Colorado River just across the bridge from Arizona, and by the tip of Nevada, Needles is the gateway to California. The fabled Route 66 (the "Mother Road") runs through downtown Needles.
Founded in 1883 with the coming of the railroad, and incorporated October 30, 1913 as a California Charter City, Needles is a city with a rich and colorful history, providing a satisfying, less hurried way of life, and a supportive business climate. From the frontier of the Old West to the frontier of the 21st century, Needles commands a strategic position in the evolution of California.
Here you can enjoy the Colorado River, which runs through Needles, where you can boat, ski, or fish for a wide variety of fish, including rainbow trout, catfish and largemouth bass. Lake Havasu's backcountry is an ecological treasure and "forever" views of the Mohave Mountains are breathtaking. By boat, canoe, or kayak, Topock Gorge and Havasu Wildlife Refuge, which covers 37,515 acres, provides a memorable experience for all ages. Located 17 miles south of Needles, Topok provides an awe-inspiring experience where you can gaze at lava pinnacles, totems, and ancient hieroglyphics on the gorge's walls. This refuge is a natural habitat for doves, quail, beaver and other species of wildlife, such as feral hog. And at nearby Grapevine Canyon, you can view Indian petroglyphs on the sheer walls of the canyon. You'll want to be sure to visit the Mystic Maze, a National Wildlife Refuge Systems Archaeological Site that is located about 10 miles south of Needles on I-40.
Located at 929 Front Street is the Needles Regional Museum which contains memorabilia from throughout Needles' colorful history. Local volunteers are looking forward to sharing our history with you.
Lastly, the Needles train depot and Harvey House has been of great importance to area history. You may remember the Harvey House from the Judy Garland film "The Harvey Girls". Construction of this building began about 1906 and soon after fire destroyed the original wooden building.The new building was constructed of concrete ladders to pour cement into forms. The building was completed with landscaping in place in 1908. It was named "El Garces" in honor of Father Francisco Garces, a missionary who visited the area in 1776. The primary mission of the El Garces Hotel was to serve train passengers; hence the front and most ornate side of the building faced the railroad tracks. Community members also utilized the facilities for elegant private dinners, banquets and special occasions. The El Garces was part of the Fred Harvey chain of hotel restaurants that extended along the Santa Fe Railroad to provide meals and lodging. It was considered the "Crown Jewel" of the entire chain and was remembered for the real linen and silver, distinctive china and fresh flowers provided for its guests every day along with food of the highest quality. Waitresses, cultured young ladies who came from around the world, received special training in neatness, courtesy and excellent service and were required to sign a contract not to marry for one year. Many eventually married railroad men. The hotel housed the Harvey Girls and management as well as the guests they serviced.
Source: City of Needles
