Dream big. Currently there is an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of Route 66 history that also happens to be a desert oasis with million dollar views.

The site of Ed’s Camp listed by Sandy Dudley of Kingman Premier Properties in Kingman, Arizona is linked to centuries of history. But the tumble down weathered ruins of Ed’s Camp that include the Kactus Cafe, Ed’s open air rock shop, a rustic 1930s motel, and a gas station from the same era are just the famous bits.

The 121 acre site includes two nearly new manufactured homes, an updated house built in 1964, several wells, updated septic systems, a few modern garages, and even a site suitable for a small RV park. The potential is only limited by the imagination.

Dream Big

More years ago than I care to count some sound advice was shared with me. At the time I was washing and detailing cars, and performing an occasional oil change, at the VW dealership.

I was content but like most kids had a dream or two. These included plans for the weekend, and getting enough money to replace the Rambler station wagon with a pick up truck. The owner took a shine to me. One day he pulled me aside, asked where I saw myself in five years. Then he said, “Son, if your dreams aren’t big enough to scare you then those dreams aren’t big enough.”

Well, to be honest when I was working for the Ed of Ed’s Camp, in my wildest imagination I never dreamed of owning that place. Of course, when I was pulling weeds in the garden and helping to repair or replace water lines I was only about 12 years old.

But while walking the property this past weekend I have to admit. I gave in to flights of fancy and began to dream of owning this bit of my childhood, this tangible link to Arizona and Route 66 history.

Little Meadows

Water is what makes an oasis in the desert. And water is what makes an oasis a destination for the traveler. Little Meadows, site of the Ed’s Camp property, had water in abundance.

And so this was an important stop on a Native American trade route through Sitgreaves Pass, one of two passes through the formidable Black Mountains. That trade route connected Hopi and Zuni villages with villages located in what is now the Los Angeles metro area.

In 1776, Father Garces chronicled an exploration across northern Arizona on that trade route. According to many historians that adventure included camping at the Little Meadows oasis.

Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves of the U.S. Army Topographical Corps also camped there during the 1851 expeditions. So did other early American explorers, prospectors, miners, and pioneers traveling to California.

Dawn of A New Era

Shortly after the dawn of the 20th century Arizona’s last major gold rush transformed the Black Mountains. The mining camps of Oatman, Vivian, and Goldroad quickly became boom towns.

A road built through Sitgreaves Pass challenged travelers with grades that often exceeded 25%. In 1913 a few improvements were made, and that steep, rocky path was designated the National Old Trails Road. This was the predecessor to Route 66 in the southwest.

In 1921 that road was closed, traffic was rerouted along the Valley Cutoff through Yucca, and a new highway was built. This engineering marvel was signed as Route 66 after November 1926. Until that highway was realigned through Yucca in 1952, this was the way west.

Through this era of transition Little Meadows remained an oasis for the traveler. But for Lowell ‘Ed’ Edgerton this was more than an oasis. Edgerton was a man with vision and ambition that dreamed big.

Ed’s Camp

Ed is an enigmatic character. Tall tales told by Ed, the passing of time, legend and rumor, and a vague paper trail have made him a mystery man in the Route 66 story. Author and researcher extraordinaire Blue Miller deciphered much of the story and shared it in a post on her acclaimed Never Quite Lost website. She also added this caveat. “Little is known about Edgerton’s early years in the West and many of the stories he told throughout the years should probably be taken with a healthy dose of salt.”

With that said, I can’t add a lot of definitive detail to Ed’s story. First there was his penchant for the telling of tall tales. And my memories of Ed are tainted by childhood and the passage of time.

Still, the story of Ed and Ed’s Camp needs to be told and preserved. It’s an American story.

During my visit this past weekend the owner shared an extensive photo album that detailed the evolution of Ed’s camp. And she alluded to the possibility of a book. I hope that project comes to fruition.

Dream Bigger

This past Friday, was the first time I had walked the grounds of Ed’s Camp in at least forty years.

Aside from taking a few photographs, I shared my experiences at Ed’s Camp with Jay Reddig of Mother Road Media. My plan was to return the following day at sunrise with an associate. I had hoped that we could shoot some video of the entire property while it was quite with the dynamic lighting and without people. And then we would do some drone footage, visit with the owner to get some video of the houses, garages, etc. as well as additional information.

The video content was to be shared with the realtor. I am eager to see someone that dreams big acquire the property. And some of it as well as the photos acquired the day before would be used for another episode of A Shared Adventure on the Jim Hinckley’s America YouTube channel.

Well, that didn’t work quite as planned. Still, it was great to learn more about Ed, and to revisit a bit of my childhood.