Chemehuevi Tribe Sets Fire

            Mike Russom, whose family were long time tenants of Havasu Palms, wrote the whimsical song “Havasu Man” in 1968. One of the verses "Indians raisin heck about a shack in the back" was about several buildings that were located on alleged Chemehuevi reservation land, beyond the border of Havasu Palms’ original leasehold.
                     Bob Orchard, one of the original owners of the camp, continued to rent this portion of the land, and his family used the property for infrequent family vacations. His permit with the Chemehuevi Tribe was on a year to year basis, and by the early 1980’s the Tribe refused to renew his permit.
            In the early 1990’s members of the Chemehuevi Tribe burned the buildings, which were dangerously close to Havasu Palms’ Road’s End Restaurant.