Every town has a story. Harnessing heritage tourism, capitalizing on that story, means transforming local historical, cultural, and environmental assets into a sustainable catalyst for economic development. It is also a powerful tool for fostering development of a sense of community.

Kingman, Arizona, my adopted hometown, has quite a story. A centuries old turquoise mine, the first federally funded highway in the southwest, Louis Chevrolet, Edsel Ford, Charles Lindbergh, Buster Keaton, Pamela Anderson, a WWII training center, iconic Route 66 and one of the nations first passenger air terminals. These are all chapter in Kingman’s amazing story.

This historic dusty desert crossroads is also at the heart of one of the best hiking and mountain bike trail systems in the southwest. It is also only 12 miles from a pine forested oasis with another trail system and a delightful lodge and resort.

Every Town Has A Story

Do a bit of research. You might be surprised. Your home town may not have a connection to Route 66 or Louis Chevrolet. But every town has a story.

If you need incentive or ideas for how to use that unique story as a catalyst for building a sense of community, and economic development, study the work of Kingman Main Street. And, even though it is currently dormant, you might also study the contributions of the Route 66 Association of Kingman Arizona. I would also suggest studying the Beale Street Theater project.

These grassroots organizations have been at the forefront of historic district revitalization. They have also been instrumental in transforming Kingman into a destination.

They have had notable successes. And there have been failures. But they have provided the tourism office with fodder for marketing. And, perhaps most importantly, these organizations have played a major role in infusing Kingman with a strong sense of community.

Kingman Transformed

Two projects initiated by Kingman Main Street are examples of how tapping into a town’s story can bring a community together. They are also examples of how projects that foster development of a sense of community can also make a community a destination.

One of these is work on the historic Hotel Beale. The first stage of facade renovation brought people together for clean up and painting parties. The relighting of the Hotel Beale sign, for the first time in more than sixty years, was accomplished through the building of a network of cooperative partnerships.

The relighting party during the annual Route 66 Fun Run was a display of community pride, and an example of how communities are transformed into a destination. It enhanced the Fun Run weekend, and a number of people attended that event to be a part of history when the sign was relit. They traveled from as far as Ohio, Illinois and Georgia.

Kingman Tours

Kingman Tours was one the organizations most ambitious endeavors. Even though further development of the project is progressing at a snails pace, it is an ideal study on how to harness heritage tourism as well as the benefits.

This project had three major components. Bringing them to fruition required igniting passion in the community that translated into support. It also required building a network of supportive partnerships.

The primary partnerships included the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the City of Kingman and Talisman Magic Marketing. Passionate involvement from the community was made manifest in donations, and in the work of volunteers.

Harnessing Heritage Tourism

Using QR code technology, Kingman Tours is a self guided, narrated tour through the historic business district. Points of interest include historic sites, as well as film and celebrity associated locations. The story of the arists behind public art is also a part of the tour.

The website is also a virtual tour as well as a planning portal for people traveling Route 66, or for making Kingman a weekend getawy destination. Developed by Talisman Magic Marketing, the website includes an AI powered Yodel event calendar. There is also a visitors guide, an informative blog, and a Route 66 centennial gift shop.

In partnership with the city, Depot Plaza at the historic railroad depot was built as a starting point for the walking tour. Remnants of the Route 66 walk of fame that launched at the 2014 Route 66 International Festival as a Route 66 centennial project were included. The walk of fame had started as a grassroots initiative, but was abandoned shortly after being turned over to the tourism office. Commemorative bricks are being added to the plaza as a Kingman Main Street fund raising mechanism.

I provided research, and most of the narration for the tour, and lent my name to the project. These, however, were not my only contributions to the project.

The Jim Hinckley connection

When Kingman Main Street began developing plans for this project, organizers wanted to tap into more than just Kingman’s history. They wanted it be a showcase for the community, and city’s unique story. And so the work of local artists like J.C. Amberlyn, and the connection to celebrities such as Andy Devine, were included in the tour.

My dearest friend, the inspiration behind Jim Hinckley’s America, and I were honorored and humbled with a request made by Kingman Main Street. Still it was a bit surreal, and unnerving.

They wanted to add a life sized bronze statue of me to the plaza. After a great deal of deliberation, we agreed. The renowned sculptress J. Anne Butler was commissioned. Fittingly, the statue and walking tour was unveiled during National Road Trip Day celebrations. Marlo Anderson of National Day Calendar, and the crew of 2LaneLife were in attendance.

Are You Ready?

Are you ready to use your town’s story to harness the power of heritage tourism? Do you need ideas and inspiration? Study the work of Kingman Main Street.

I also suggest making plans to attend the upcoming Local First Arizona Rural Policy Forum scheduled for August 5-7 in Kingman. Being asked to serve as keynote speaker at this event is a distinct honor.

Every town has a story. Using that story to transform a community is the challenge. It begins with one person that has a vision and that has passion. And it requires leadership that can sell that vision to a community.