From Vision to Reality: The History of Downtown Lake Havasu
Downtown Lake Havasu - McCulloch Blvd - Main Street
As the heart of Lake Havasu City, Main Street has a storied past that spans decades. Founded in the 1960's by Robert P. McCulloch, it has served as a community center for generations. Today, Main Street is a thriving business district where visitors can shop, dine, and explore all that the city has to offer. We invite you to learn more about Main Street's history and visit us soon!
Construction of Arnold Plaza
Arnold Plaza Under Construction - 1964
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This sign was possibly the first landmark showing the area which would one day become Downtown Lake Havasu. The sign tasked with listing the soon to be constructed businesses of Arnold Plaza stood from ~1963 until late 1967 when it was eventually replaced by a bulky neon replacement sending us off into the 70's
Arnold Plaza Completed
Newly completed Arnold Plaza - 1965~1967
This photo was dated for sometime in the mid 1960's and shows the newly completed Arnold Plaza, home to Valley National Bank which was the first bank in Lake Havasu city. This location is now the home of the historic Red Onion restaurant and if you visit you can still see the vault which was used during this era of the building's history
Aerial view of early Main Street
Main Street - 1969~1970's
This photo is estimated to be from the early 70's and is one of the earliest views of what would one day become the downtown district. On the right you can see the Arnold Plaza and in the upper middle you will see Wheeler park and the Freedom Fountain which were staples of early Havasu
The Original Wheeler Park
Freedom Fountain - 1965
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Wheeler park was one of the earliest developed areas of Lake Havasu City and was once home to the magnificent freedom fountain. The fountain was dedicated to Captain James A. Wheeler, United States Air Force, and all members of the armed services who have given their lives in the maintenance of freedom. Captain Wheeler was killed in combat April 18, 1965 and the fountain was later replaced by a less water intensive decoration by the city of Lake Havasu
Main Street
View of Smoketree on McCulloch Main Street ~1970's
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Old cars, sweater-vests, and oil lamps? If you were lucky enough to see Lake Havasu in the 70's you would've been witness to the birth of Main Street and the humble beginnings of Lake Havasu City
McCulloch Blvd
Another view of McCulloch Blvd ~ 1970's
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Showing the famous Havasu skyline and the enterance to Wheeler park in 1970's Lake Havasu. The building to the right with a sign with a sombrero will one day become Havasu Hardware, home of the Downtown District's current acting president
Main Street
View of McCulloch Main Street ~1970's
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Old archive image showing the Havasu Office Supply and Desert Sport Shop. This image today would be taken from the empty grass lot which will one day become the Catalyst project and the first building on the left which is almost cut out would be the current day Q art Gallery.
1969 - Alex Ross State Farm Insurance
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In 1969 Alex Ross State Farm Insurance was one of the first businesses to take the chance on this pioneer town and set up shop here permanently.
At the time it was nothing more than a desk occupying the back corner of a shared office building on an unknown street called McCulloch Blvd, but it would soon grow to become a staple of Main Street.
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Alex Ross would later go on to be one of the founders of the Downtown Association (He would have still called it the Uptown Association).