Quartzsite Sights Visited

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We visited a few of the area attractions while in Quartzsite and the surrounding area. Here are photos and explanations of each location.

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Photos

Quartzsite, Arizona
We spent the winter, about 3 1/2 months in Quartzsite. Here are some of the sights we saw in and around Quartzsite.

Margarita Mine Assay Office
This is on the ground of the Quartzsite Historical Museum, also called the Tysons Well Stage Station Museum.

Margarita Mine Assay Office
Inside is equipment from the assay office.

Oasis Hotel Ruins
This was a place for travelers to find respite and protection on their way to or from California.

Barrett Village
Walter Barrett moved to Quartzsite in 1970 with his wife. He was fascinated with the rocks in the area and used them to build his home. Then he began making other projects with rocks, including this miniature village. It was donated to the museum by his children after his death.

Barrett Village Castle.
One of the buildings in the Barrett Village.

Wagon
Wagon for hauling equipment or ore.

Camel
In the mid-1800's the government decided to deal with the terrain of the southwest like the desert dwellers in the Middle East, with camels. Eventually over 70 camels were imported to transport freight and people across the desert Southwest. Hadji Ali was a camel caretaker from Syria that came with the first batch of camels. He was called Hi Jolly by those in the military that he served. When the camel project was abandoned in the 1860's the camels were set free to fend for themselves in the desert near Quartzsite. The last reported camel sighting was in 1942.

Hi Jolly Tomb
Hadji Ali stayed in the area after his role of camel caretaker ended. He lived into his seventies. The locals were so fond of him that, after he died they spent several weeks building Hi Jolly a special pyramid tomb. It is made of multicolored petrified wood and quartz. It was dedicated on January 4, 1903.

Imperial Dam
Completed in 1938, the dam retains the waters of the Colorato River into the Imperial Reservoir before desilting and diversion into the All-American Canal and the Gila Gravity Main Canals.

Colorado River
The river just up from the Imperial Dam

Q Mountain
Many cities out west have a mountain with the first letter of the town on one of the faces. Quartzsite had "Q" mountain. It is a popular mountain to climb.

The summit
As with most days in Quartzsite it was breezy. Mike near the "Support Our Troops" flag.

American Flag
The sun may have been out, but it was a cool, breezy day when we hiked to the top.

Mazie
Mike pointing to our Jeep on the desert floor below.

Descending
Back down Q mountain. It was a fun climb!

Celia's Rainbow Gardens
Paul & Joanne Winer lost their only daughter when she was 8 1/2 years old from a viral illness that affected her heart. Located on 8 acres of the Quartzsite Town Park, the gardens were inspired by the dreams of Celia to make the world a better place. There are many memorials to friends and family members throughout the garden.

Memorial
Beautiful paver stones for a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

88 Shades RV Park
Memorials for people that once lived at the RV park.

Church
A small replica of a church in the garden.

Bells
Mike can never resist ringing a bell.

Butterfly garden
Celia died on October 25, 1995. Her parents got permission from the city to create the garden 1 year after her death. It started as a nature trail, but continues to grow with the addition of plants, trees, and memorials.