What is the history of Needles, California?
“Ancient petroglyphs, pictographs, intaglios, old trails and stone work sites bear witness to those who came from an earlier time.” (Needles Chamber of Commerce) Mohave people had been living in the area for hundreds, if not thousands, of years prior to the European exploration of the area. In 1859, Fort Mojave was built to protect immigrants to California and other travelers from the Mohave. http://www.needleschamber.com/ The city was founded in 1883 as a result of the construction of the railroad, which crosses the Colorado RiverColorado at this point. The name is derived from pointed mountain peaks at the south end of the valley. Historic Route 66 passes through the city, lined with motels and other shops from that era. Needles is a tourism and recreation center, a tradition going back for decades. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 78.1 km sq (30.2 square miles). 77.1
