b'F or some, Bullhead City, Arizona, andin Laughlin and Bullhead City has kept pace with Laughlin, Nevada may as well be one townthe explosive growth of casinos. Bullhead City was with a river running through it. Few peopleArizonas fastest- growing community between visit one without the other.1980 and 1990 and has since expanded even more.HISTORY COLORADO RIVER MUSEUMLt. Edward Beale was hired in 1857 to survey anThe Colorado River Museum on Highway 68 inswath over the ages. The Colorado River Nature immigrant road from Fort Smith, Arkansas to theBullhead City embodies the history of the Arizona,Center (CRNC) is a 500-acre facility located within Colorado River. He established Fort Mojave nearNevada, and Colorado River areas. The museumthe city limits of Bullhead City. The CRNC includes the present site of Bullhead City. Pioneers en routeis housed in an old church that was built in therecreational amenities like beach access to the to California frequented the fort for comfort and40s and primarily focuses on the construction ofColorado River, a trail system, interpretive signage, protection on their journey. nearby Davis Dam, Route 66, and the history ofshade ramadas, benches, viewing decks, and the surrounding towns and the river. Its full ofboardwalks. Rio Lomas beach is used heavily in William Harrison Hardy crossed the Coloradoartifacts and memorabilia, which also includesthe summer months.Hiking and fishing are other River in 1864. He established a river port andthe gold and silver mining era, cattle ranching,popular activities. AZgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/supply center on Cottonwood Island and operatedand Native American history. The museumwheretogo/coloradoriverthe Colorado River Ferry. Hardy also foundedisnt open year-round, so check out the website Hardyville, the forerunner to Bullhead City, andbefore you go. 1239 Highway 95, 928-754-3399,COLORADO RIVER HERITAGE became the first postmaster in 1865. Hardyville,ColoradoRiverHistoricalSociety.org GREENWAY PARK & TRAILonce the county seat for Mohave County and theAlso referred to as North Reach Trails, the port for steamboats to unload supplies for theCOLORADO RIVER Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail is about booming mining district was eventually NATURE CENTER nine miles of scenic trail on the Laughlin side of destroyed by fire. The Colorado River is one of the natural wondersthe river. It boasts amenities such as restrooms, of the western United States. Though theshaded seating and picnic areas, and a fishing Bullhead City originated in the 1940s as aintroduction of dams has changed the course andpier too. The trails are open to cyclists, runners, construction camp for Davis Dam. Davis Damflow of the mighty river in many places, its still anand even horses and will give you access to five was completed in 1953 two miles upstream ofawesome spectacle, especially when seen flowingother trailheads as well if youd like to do a bit of present-day Laughlin and Bullhead City, bringingthrough the canyons where it has carved a massiveexploring. Due to the bright desert sun, the trail flood control and power generation to the area. Lake Mojave, the reservoir created by Davis Dam extends 67 miles to the base of Hoover Dam and isColorado River Museum4 miles across at its widest point with a shoreline ofColorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trailover 150 miles!In 1964, Don Laughlin flew over the tristate area in his private plane and liked what he saw. The former owner of the 101 Club in Las Vegas purchased the boarded-up motel and 6.5 acres of riverfront property for $250,000. In less than two years, he established the Riverside Resort, offering all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents, 12 slot machines, two live gaming tables, and accommodations in four of the motels eight rooms. The Laughlin family occupied the other four. The Golden Nugget-Laughlin was the next of many establishments to follow. Residential developmentColorado River Historical Society & Museum Travel Nevada24 July 2022'