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Fort Mohave, Arizona facts for kids

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Fort Mohave
Census Designated Place
View of Fort Mohave from Avi Resort and Casino
View of Fort Mohave from Avi Resort and Casino
Location of Fort Mohave in Mohave County, Arizona.
Location of Fort Mohave in Mohave County, Arizona.
Fort Mohave is located in the United States
Fort Mohave
Fort Mohave
Location in the United States
State Arizona
County Mohave
Founded 1935
Named for Fort Mohave
Area
 • Total 16.70 sq mi (43.25 km2)
 • Land 16.70 sq mi (43.25 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 16,190
 • Density 969.52/sq mi (374.34/km2)
Time zone MST
ZIP codes
86426
Area code(s) 928
FIPS code 04-24895
GNIS feature ID 2628855

Fort Mohave is a CDP in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. It is named for a nearby fort that was used during the Mohave War. As of the census of 2010, the population of Fort Mohave was 14,364, a figure which was 8,919 in 2000. It is a micro-suburb of Bullhead City. Its recent growth has made it the most populous unincorporated community in Mohave County.

The largest single employer in Fort Mohave is Valley View Medical Center. In 2013, Fort Mohave became the home of a 200+ acre photovoltaic solar generating plant. The plant was built east of Vanderslice Road between Joy Lane and Lipan Boulevard.

History

At Fort Mojave, on the Colorado River, 1,450 miles west of Missouri River. (Boston Public Library) (cropped)
Mohave men and women and U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Mojave, ca. 1868

The first known European to visit the area was Spanish explorer Melchor Díaz. He documented his travels in Northwestern Mohave County in 1540. He accounts of meeting a large population of natives who referred to themselves as the Pipa Aha Macav, meaning "People by the River". From "Aha Macav" came the Spanish name Mojave, which was later passed into English, where it is also spelled Mohave. When most people refer to Fort Mohave, they use the spelling "Mohave", while the tribe retains the traditional Spanish spelling "Mojave".

During the Mohave War the fort was established as a base of U. S. Army military operations against the native Mohave people, who had been living in the area for centuries prior. In April 1861, during the early part of the American Civil War, the fort was abandoned, its garrison sent to secure Southern California from possible secession, and then sent to the east. It was subsequently garrisoned by Company B and Company I, 4th California Infantry Regiment, in May 1863. Company B remained for six months but Company I remained until March 1865, when it was relieved by Company C, 7th California Infantry Regiment until 1866 when Camp Mohave was again garrisoned by regular United States Army troops. The U. S. Army remained until September 29, 1890 when the War Department turned it over to the Indian Service by order of President Benjamin Harrison. It was given up by the Indian service in 1935 and is now part of the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation.

Community

Camp Mohave Arizona 2
Camp Mohave Arizona 2

Fort Mohave is home to the Fort Mojave-Mesa Fire Department. It is also home to the largest stadium within 90 miles (140 km), serving all Mohave County for large indoor events, The Mojave Crossing Event Center. It has a seating capacity of 3,000 stadium style and 5,000 arena style.

Many neighborhoods in Fort Mohave are built on man-made lakes, golf courses, and mesas with majestic mountain views. The newest golf course, Los Lagos Golf Club, is a Ted Robinson, Sr. Signature Golf Course.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
2020 16,190
U.S. Decennial Census

Fort Mohave is geographically between, and demographically connected to, Bullhead City and Mohave Valley. As of the census of 2010, the population of Fort Mojave was 14,364. This was up from 8,919 in 2000, with 4,049 housing units; a land area of 33.58 square miles (87.0 km2); and a population density of 265.61 people per square mile.

Economy

Fort Mohave has three large grocery stores, Smith's Food and Drug, Safeway, and a recently completed Wal-Mart Supercenter. It also has a CVS Pharmacy and an ACE Hardware Store. Restaurants include Red Dragon Chinese Cuisine, Bonanza Cafe, Casa Serrano Mexican Food, an ice cream parlor, and several fast food franchises.

Residents of Fort Mohave do the majority of their shopping and dining in Bullhead City, which is considered the shopping hub of the tri-state area.

Education

Fort Mohave has two public elementary schools, Fort Mojave Elementary School and Camp Mohave Elementary School, both of which are a part of the Mohave Valley Elementary School District. There is also a public charter school, Young Scholar's Academy, All Beauty College, the Academy of Building Industries, and Desert Star.

Infrastructure

Fort Mohave and Mesquite Creek AZ
Fort Mohave and Mesquite Creek, Arizona. Irrigated agriculture is the major contributor to the local economy.

Emergency services

Fort Mohave is served by the Fort Mojave-Mesa Fire Department.

Transportation

Vegas Airporter provides service between Lake Havasu City, Fort Mohave, and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fort Mohave para niños

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