Grasshopper Junction, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grasshopper Junction, Arizona
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 Grasshopper Junction, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Grasshopper Junction, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Mohave |
| Elevation | 3,547 ft (1,081 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| ZIP codes |
86401
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| Area code(s) | 928 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24437 |
Grasshopper Junction is a small, unincorporated community in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. It's located about four miles (6 km) west of the town of Chloride. This area is known for providing a way to reach an old mining camp along County Road 125. You can also find the Grasshopper Junction restaurant there, which is a popular stop for travelers.
History of Grasshopper Junction
In January 1951, the United States government created the Nevada Test Site. This was a special area in Nevada where they tested nuclear weapons. It was about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Grasshopper Junction.
During the 1950s, the huge mushroom clouds from these tests could be seen for almost 100 miles (160 km) around. People in nearby cities like Las Vegas even watched these tests as if they were tourist attractions!
Between May and October 1957, a series of nuclear tests called Operation Plumbbob took place. Another set of tests, Operation Hardtack II, happened in 1958. Because of these tests, Grasshopper Junction was mentioned in government discussions in 1959. At that time, only two people lived in Grasshopper Junction. Government experts looked at how much radiation these residents might have received from the tests.
In December 1975, a special marker was put up near Grasshopper Junction. This marker honored the 200th birthday of the nearby town of Chloride.
Wildfires and Water in Grasshopper Junction
In July 2005, a large wildfire called the Twin Mills wildfire started because of lightning. This fire burned about 10,600 acres (43 km2) and affected Grasshopper Junction. Airplanes had to drop special flame retardant to help put out the fire.
In 2006, the United States Geological Survey studied the water underground in Grasshopper Junction. They found that the ground water is about 11 feet (3.4 m) below the surface. This underground water is located in a natural underground storage area called a basin-fill aquifer. The water is slowly moving south.
Images for kids
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2007 photo of the Mini Mart at Grasshopper Junction, Arizona
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