Havasu Palms Timeline

for the land once leased by Havasu Palms, Inc., located on the California side of Lake Havasu


1800	Some Chemehuevis begin settling along the Colorado River

1848	Mexico loses California to the United States.

1900	Land along the Colorado River is open to homesteading.

1907	Secretary of Interior withdraws land along the California side of the Colorado river from all forms of settlement and entry, pending action by Congress authorizing the addition of the lands described to the various Mission Indians.

Before 1914	Bailey Brothers begin mining the area later known as Road’s End Camp.

1921	Bureau of Indian Affairs processed public domain allotments along the California side of the Colorado River.

1920’s	J. Flemings leases a mine from the Bailey Brothers, becomes the first known owner of Road’s End Camp.

Early 1930’s	Bob Orchard becomes the new owner of Road’s End Camp.

1934	Construction begins on Parker Dam.

1938	Parker Dam is completed.

Abt 1940	Bob Orchard builds the first Road’s End Store.

Abt 1945	Bob Orchard and Glen Sanderson build the airstrip located at Road’s End Camp.

1949	Department of Interior makes determination of payment Metropolitan Water District to pay the Chemehuevi and Mojave Indians. Page 1 of Document Page 2 of Document Page 3 of Document

1963	Havasu Palms, Inc. is created. Its first Board of Directors include Noel Keefer Jr., Noel Keefer Sr., Homer Willis, Melvin Wooley, and Everette Sickles.

1964	A 20 year lease is signed by Havasu Palms, Inc. with the Fish and Wildlife Services for land along Lake Havasu’s California shoreline, at what was known as Road’s End Camp.

1964	“Chemehuevi Tribe…accepted payment in full for its aboriginal lands including whatever interest it may have possessed in the alleged Chemehuevi Valley Indian Reservation on the west bank of the Colorado River” – Declaration of Stephen Beckham, professor of history at Lewis and Clark College.

1967	Walt Johnson begins negotiating to purchase Havasu Palms, Inc. which holds the lease on the Road’s End Camp site. Johnson is assured by the Federal Government that the land will never be turned over to the nearby tribe, as the site is on a public water way.

1967	Walt and Caroline Johnson, Luanne King and Bud Moffit purchase Havasu Palms, Inc. and the remaining term of its lease with the Fish and Wildlife Service. At this time, Havasu Palms has about 25 travel trailer sites, a campground with public restrooms, a primitive store, gas pumps and boat slips.

During their 31 ½ year history with the lease property, the owners of Havasu Palms, Inc. (The Johnsons, King and Moffit) never had a lease term longer than 16 years. This situation made it impossible to secure outside funding for major development projects. In spite of these limitations, the owners of Havasu Palms, Inc. made major strides in developing the property, using their personal finances and doing much of the labor themselves. Yet in the end, they were forced to walk away from all that they had built.

1968		The Walt Johnson family moves to Havasu Palms, to assume management and development of the resort. Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Massive cleanup begins.

1968		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Development plans are underway for Havasu Palms, including work by an architect for a master plan. Havasu Palms is assured by the government that a long term lease will be awarded, when they present acceptable development plans. A long term lease is necessary to secure financing.

1969		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 12 new mobile home sites, enlarges campground.

1969		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > The government expresses their approval of the submitted master plan, and assures Havasu Palms that an extension to the lease term will be forthcoming.

1970		Chemehuevi Tribe adopts its first constitution, which enables them to become a legally recognized tribe by the Federal Government.

1971		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Beach areas improved, new boat slips and ramps are added.

1972		BLM informs Havasu Palms that they can no longer negotiate for a longer lease, as the land may be turned over to the Chemeheuvi Indians.

1972		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Roads improved, sewer system developed.

1972		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Walt Johnson presents plans for a Riverboat Restaurant and Store facility to the Department of Interior, and he receives a favorable response.

1973		BLM rejects Havasu Palms’ proposal for a Riverboat Restaurant, one reason sited is the possible land transfer to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe.

1973		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 29 new mobile home sites completed.

1974		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 61 new mobile home and trailer sites completed.

1974		The Secretary of the Interior adds some 30 miles of shoreline along the California side of Lake Havasu to the Chemehuevi Indian reservation. This includes Havasu Palms’ lease land on the southern tip. Havasu Palms’ new landlord is the Chemehuevi Tribe.

1975		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 29 new mobile home sites are completed. 323 Trees planted.

1975		Jerry McQueen, General Manager of Chemehuevi Inc. contacts Havasu Palms, opens door for lease negotiations, and on behalf on Tribe says they are willing to negotiate for 25 year lease with a 25 year option, or a 30 year lease with a 20 year option.

1975		Pierre Koenig of Chemehuevi Planning Committee, contacts Havasu Palms and informs them that the Tribe is pleased with HP acceptance of lease terms, and the Tribe is willing to offer a 30 year lease with a 20 year option. He promises they will use every means to assist HP in road improvement.

1976		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > New boat launch area is added.

1977		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Construction begins on the new store & marina.

1978		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > The new store and marina is completed.

1979		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Plans begin on the Road’s End Restaurant.

1980		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Construction begins on the Road’s End Restaurant.

1981		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Road’s End Restaurant & Bar opens.

1984		Havasu Palms receives a lease with the Chemehuevi Tribe. It is a 10 year lease, with a 5 year option.

1885		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Construction begins on the new rental boat slips.

1986		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 100 new Rental boat slips are completed.

1987		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > 9 new mobile home sites completed.

1989		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > The FIRST real telephone system is competed, when CONTEL brings in a microwave dish, and Walt Johnson prepares all the trenches.

1989		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > A breakwater is added to the harbor.

1989		Walt Johnson comes down with congestive heart failure.

1990		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Lights are added to the rental boat slips.

1992		Walt Johnson’s Havasu Palms Improvements > Restaurant and store are enlarged and remodeled.

1992		*Walt Johnson passes away. His ashes are spread over the Havasu Palms lease land.*

1993		Havasu Palms Improvements > A new water tank and pump is installed.

1994		Havasu Palms Improvements > 10 new courtesy boat slips are installed near the store.

1994