Cover portrait of Andy Devine painted by Millie Wheeler in 1988 for the Mohave County Museum where the original portrait hangs today. Cover design by Amie Wade, Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce.
This year marks a major milestone in our history - our 100 anniversary. The Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1925 by a group of area business people with a vision of growth and a spirit of collaboration. For a century, our Chamber has carried that vision and spirit forward, building a strong business community and traditions that continue to this day. th
We are also proud to celebrate the 47th year of Andy Devine Days, which began in 1978 to honor Kingman’s own Hollywood legend and hometown hero. What started as a foot race has grown into an annual, community-wide tradition that includes a parade and rodeo, mixers and music, and the annual awards dinner.
Tonight marks the 34th year of the Andy Devine Community Awards, first presented in 1991. These awards were created to recognize the people and organizations who give so much of themselves to make Kingman thrive. They remind us that true success is measured not just in progress, but in service, generosity, and heart.
As we look back over these milestones, one clear thread emerges: Kingman has always been at its best when we come together. The optimism and determination of 1925 is alive in 2025, and it fills this room tonight. Thank you for joining us to celebrate, not only the achievements of today, but also the enduring spirit of community that connects us across the generations.
Tom Clark, Chairman, on behalf of the 2025-2026 Board
Celebrating 100 Years
2025-2026 Chamber staff and board members l-r: Amie Wade, Abagayle Myers, Becky Fawson, Tami Ursenbach, Kim Bilbrey, Scott Kern, Allen Poston, Bob DeVries, Tom Price, Julio Galindo, Nicole Broh, Laurie Voss Barthlow
100 Years of Chamber Leadership
100 Years of Chamber Leadership
Since 1925, our Chamber has been guided by prominent community leaders representing mining, ranching, business, and government. Their service reflects the evolving story of Kingman itself, from the days of the Old Trails Road to the birth of Route 66 and today’s dynamic crossroads of commerce. This is a list of one hundred years of Board Chairmen, also known as Board Presidents. Thumbnail pics are from the Chamber’s 75 anniversary material. t h
1920s
1925 – Judge LeRoy V. Root (Temporary Chairman)
1925–1930 – Willis J. Black, businessman
Nov 3, 1925 – Chamber officially organized at first official meeting held at Mohave County Union High School with nearly 200 members paying $0.50/month in dues.
1930s
Chamber meetings are held in the lobby of the Hotel Beale courtesy of Thomas Devine.
1930–1931 Carl J. Walters
1931–1933 Frank X. Gordon, Sr., Attorney
1933–1934 Arthur F. Black
1934–1936 Peter R. Campbell, J.C. Penney Co.
1936–1937 Merlyn O. Ream, Miner Editor
1937–1939
1940s
D.S. Tuthill
1940–1941 J. Hubert Smith, Attorney
1941–1942 Dr. Paul V. Long, Dentist
1942–1943 Judge LeRoy V. Root
1943–1944 Carl Northup
1944–1945 Caroll S. Farley
1945-1946 Howard N. Spencer
1946–1948 E.L. Jameson, Rancher / AZ House of Representatives
1948–1949 John M. Blair, Tarr-McComb Ware 1949-1950 Arthur F. Black, Phoenix/Kingman/Boulder City Stages
1950s
1950–1951 Clarence M. “Mike” Hart, Citizens Utilities
1951–1952 Alex Vaughn Standard Oil Distributor
1952–1953 Allen Sneed, J.C. Penney Co.
1953–1954 Frank Finn, Finn’s Flying A Service Station 1954–1955 Dr. Francis M. Findlay, physician
Dr. Franci Findlay, C in 1955 at of Chambe first big m
Frank X. Gordon, Sr.
Arthur F. Black
E.L. Jameson
Alex Vaughn
Peter R. Campbell
Anson Smith’s son, original publishers of Mohave Miner
Dr. Paul V. Long J. Hubert Smith
1950s cont’d
1955–1956 Charles R. “Dick” Waters, Mohave Miner
1956-1957 John O. Hokanson, J.C. Penney Company
1957-1958 Ennis Vaughn, Vaughn & Graves Chevron
1958-1959 Frank X. Gordon, Jr., City Atty, Chief Vice Justice AZ Superior Court
1959-1961 Howard H. Heilman, Mining Engineer
1960s
1961–1962 Alex Thompson, Alex’s Toggery
1962–1963 Chris Tsouras, Christie’s Restaurant
1963–1964 Johnnie Raley, Mohave Electric Co-op
1964-1965 Kenneth Wienke, Wienke & Pepiton, CPAs
1965–1966 William L. Casson, Citizens Utilities
1966-1969 E.J. “Charlie” McCarthy, McCarthy Motor Company
1969–1970 W.R. “Bud” Fairall, Valley National Bank
1970s
1970-1971 Roy E. Hoover, Rexall Drug Store
1971–1972 Robert B. Morrissette, Credit Bureau of Kingman
1972-1972 Charles R. Barbour, Ford Proving Grounds
1972-1973 Dr. Thomas W. Schrimscher, Manzanita Animal Hospital
1973–1974 Edgar E. Pepiton, Wienke & Pepiton, CPA’s
1974 -1975 Kenneth L. “Buzz” Cameron, Transamerica Title
1975–1976 John F. Conrad, Ford Proving Grounds
1976–1977 Rex V. Becker, Mohave Savings & Loan
1977–1978 Gregory P. Dovico, First National Bank
1978–1979 Herbert Gollis, Mohave Daily Miner
1979-1980 Harold “Hal” Johnson, Century 21 Storms Real Estate 100 Years of Chamber Leadership 100 Years of Chamber Leadership
1980s
Feb 20, 1987 – Articles were amended to officially change the name of Mohave County Chamber of Commerce to the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce.
1980–1981 H.B. Johnson, Doss & LeMay Real Estate
1981-1982 Jim Dowling, Kingman Jewelers
1982-1983 Hi Johnson, J.C. Penney Company
1983–1984 Bill Murie, First Interstate Bank
1984-1985 Pete Howley, Citizens Utilities Telephone
1985–1986 Chuck King, Kentucky Fried Chicken
1986-1987 Keith Julie, Mohave Oil Company
1987–1988 David French, Citizens Utilities Telephone
1988-1989 Dr. Charles “Chuck” Hall, MCC President
1989–1990 Louise Trammel, La Poblanita Restaurant
Dr. Thomas W. Schrimscher
Robert B. Morrissette
E.J. “Charlie” McCarthy
William L. Casson
Frank X. Gordon, Jr.
Charles R. “Dick” Waters
Rex Becker
Roy Hoover
W.R. “Bud” Fairall
1990s
1990-1991 Carla Malvick, KRMC Foundation
1991–1992 Dick Singer, KAAA/KZZZ Radio
1992-1993 Toby Orr, T.R. Orr, Inc.
1993–1994 Stuart Anderson, Willows Ranch
1994-1995 Robert Rodriguez, New York Life Insurance
1995–1996 Michael Tacha, Mohave Community College
1996-1997 Jan Leidenburger, Century 21 Storms Realty
1997–1998 Pat Bourque, Waste Management of Arizona
1998-1999 Carol King, Kingman Travel
1999–2000 Don Vawter, Mohave State Bank
Feb 2000-Dec 2009 - Chamber located in Suite A (near the Carlos Elmer Photo Gallery) in the Powerhouse at 120 W. Andy Devine
2000s
2000–2001 Pat Nugent, The Gardens at Kingman
2001–2002 Krystal Burge, Taco Bell Restaurants
2002–2003 Dr. Regina Cobb, DDS, General Dentistry
2003-2004 Stephen Pebley, Frontier Communications
2004–2005 Tom Clark, Action Appraisal
2005-2006 Sue Ferry, Frame of Mind
2006-2007 Donnie Ward, Swanty Auto Center
2007–2008 Cathy Ott, Century 21 Highland Real Estate
Toby Orr, instrumental in Powerhouse renovation
2008–2009 Peter Proffit, Mohave Engineering Associates, Inc
2009-2010 Brian Harris, Don’s Office Products
Dec 2009 - 2015 – Chamber located in Suite C in the Powerhouse, the former Hobby Shop 2010s
2010–2011 Wesley T. Hassell, Keller Williams Realty
2011-2012 Tom Price, Attorney
2012–2013 Tony Campbell, Mother Road Harley Davidson
2013-2014 Jamie Taylor, KRMC
2014–2015 Doug Adams, Nucor Steel
2015–2016 Mike Christiansen, Frontier Communications
2016–2017 Lynne Petersen, Unisource Energy
2017-2018 Dan Delmonico, Mohave State Bank
2018–2019 Cherish Sammeli, Pioneer Title
2019–2020 Richard Hamilton, H&H Development
Krystal Burge, Board Chair at 75 Anniversary t h an eidenberger
Jun 2015 – Chamber relocated to 3001 N. Stockton Hill Rd., Suite 3, at the corner of Stockton Hill and Miami Avenue
Mar 2019 – Chamber relocated downtown to 405 E. Beale Street
Stuart Anderson
Don Vawter
100 Years of Chamber Leadership
100 Years of Chamber Leadership
2020s
2020–2021 Mike Quinn, Quinn’s Cages 2021–2022 Jaime Ramirez, JM Eagle 2022–2023 Rita Zumwalt, Chambers Realty 2023–2024 Kim Bilbrey, Edward Jones 2024–2025 Laurie Voss Barthlow, Chicago Title 2025-2026 Tom Clark, Action Appraisal
Sep 23, 2021 – Chamber relocated to 309 E. Beale Street, the MCC (now Mohave College) Beale Street Center.
In April 2020, MCC’s Board of Governors approved the purchase of the Beale Street building to house its Small Business Development Center, the Chamber of Commerce, and other community education services. On September 23, 2021, MCC and the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the ribbon-cutting event for the brand-new Beale Street Center, officially launching their shared operations there.
CHAMBER FUN FACTS
Father & Son Part I: Frank X. Gordon, Sr. (1933) and Frank X. Gordon, Jr. (1958) were both Chairmen of the Board.
Father & Son Part II: Chuck Casson, owner of Century 21 Highland Realty, represents the third-oldest member (1966). His father, William “Bill” Casson, was Board Chairman that same year!
Board Supers: Clement Fox, the MCUHS Superintendent was on the original board in 1925. The KUSD (successor to MCUHS) Superintendent, Gretchen Dorner is on the board, one hundred years later in 2025.
Not our first Rodeo: The first Andy Devine Days in 1978 began with a 10K foot race, not barrel racing!
TOP TEN
Oldest Memberships
1953 - The Miner
1962 - Unisource Electric
1966 - Century 21 Highland Realty
1967 - Manzanita Animal Hospital
1970 - KRMC, Jan 20
1970 - Chicago Title, Jun 17
1974 - Mohave College
1974 - Culligan Water Company
1975 - Wecom Fiber
1977 - H&H Printers
CHAMBER TRIVIA:
1) Who has been president more than once?
2) Which business has had the most Chamber presidents?
3) Which business is one of our oldest memberships and is a Gold Member today? :srewsnA
Rita Zumwalt
Cherish Sammeli
Letter to the Editor from 1955 Chamber Manager, Ralph Patey, August 4, 1999
On June 30, 1955, the ribbon was cut on the new home of the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce It was an auspicious occasion with no less than Arizona Governor Ernest McFarland in attendance. Together with the Chamber Board President, Dr. Francis Findlay, Governor McFarland dedicated the rebuilt, WWII Army barracks building at the intersection of Hwys 66 & 93, which today is the site of the Museum parking lot.
On August 4, 1999, a letter to the Editor of the Kingman Daily Miner was published from Ralph Patey, the Chamber manager at the time. He describes the enormous undertaking in moving the old infirmary building from the location at the former KAAF gunnery school and the remarkable community effort involved in site preparation and renovation. The former WWII Army infirmary became a point of pride and home to the Chamber of Commerce for the next 45 years, until the organization moved to the Powerhouse Visitor Center.
Mr Patey’s letter is a great piece of Chamber history and is included on these pages in its entirety
Good luck with chamber relocation!
To the Editor:
Old friends, the Earnest Scotts of Kingman, forwarded your recent article reporting the upcoming change of domicile for the local chamber of commerce. A very large collection of memories flashed through my brain circuits as I read.
As the chamber manager for that period, I had the pleasure of seeing the Arizona governor cut the ribbon on the canopied entry deck of that face-lifted air force hospital unit at the junction of Highways 66 and 93. It was the summer of ’55, and for the first time ever we had a paved road from Kingman all the way to Phoenix. I handed the governor our just-offthe-press brochure, and introduced our very strong minded chamber president, Francis M Findlay, M D
A few Kingmanites may remember that the location of the building on then state highway land was a 12-foot deep cavity bisected by a drywash, prior to some very clever engineering by John Jordan, a local mining engineer. Most, even today, may not know that that building is sitting on concrete and steel posts that were poured into holes drilled by a Kingman well-drilling company The holes were a necessity since the year-long project of filling that cavity with everything from rocks to plain dirt had not provided a stable foundation for the barracks-like structure to be hauled in from the airport in 50-foot segments
The then president of the Arizona Association of Architects, Fred Guiry, volunteered his talents for the building design, and nearly everyone in town had a hand in getting the project completed in time for the governor’s visit. One of my personal contributions was to carry every bundle of shake shingles up a ladder for the roofers to nail in place.
And let us not forget Sonny Imus. As a self-taught carpenter, Sonny completed about 90 percent of the work laid out in the architect’s plans. He spent long hours in my office with the stub of a pencil figuring out the rafter angles on those redwood core beams. Then, he oversaw the installation with the help of a city end-loader.
The story of how Shorty Hafley got those beams past striking longshoremen in Los Angeles Harbor is one best told elsewhere. The beamed canopy seemed to erase the last trace of the old hospital barracks.
Great memories among many fond ones of that period The Ford Proving Ground, McCulloch and Site Six, the observatory site survey, and the news that the interstate highway system would require a bypass on Front Street Oh, yes We’ll never forget Klatch where we agreed to honor Andy Devine’s Kingman roots with a name change for the main drag. Forty-five years have slipped away since our family moved to Kingman. But those 30 or so months were benchmark times in our lives.
Good luck with the new chamber headquarters.
Ralph Patey Meridian, Idaho
The birth of the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce
evening in late September 1925, a group of civic-minded citizens g he high school in Kingman. Their first order of business seems simple now: how to fund and maintain a new county exhibit an assortment of mineral specimens and “products of the soil,” as phrased in the Mohave County Miner of September 25, 1925. At the time, however, this was a bold new exposition, temporarily housed in the 4th Street establishment of Mr. Henry Lang, and it was attracting attention.
Then as now, the industries of mining, agriculture, and ranching were paramount in Mohave County. The exhibit was more than a source of pride it was a showcase for the county’s resources and potential. In true chamberof-commerce fashion, it aimed to persuade prospective growers and miners that Mohave County was a place worth investing in.
According to the Miner, Judge Leroy “L.V.” Root also a newspaper editor was elected chairman at that first meeting. Organizing and membership committees were formed, with representatives drawn from local business circles. One familiar name, Charles Metcalfe, still echoes today in Metcalfe Park, a lasting monument to his civic legacy.
Discussion turned to making the display permanent, with “someone in attendance who will keep the place open for visitors at all times.” The public library was suggested as a logical location. As the Miner reported:
“The display will be added to, naturally, as time goes by and will not favor any one group in Mohave County… In short, anything that is for the upbuilding of Mohave County will be the objective.”
The article also noted the county’s lack of a Chamber of Commerce and called for broad participation. These words of wisdom are as relevant today as they were then:
“There is strength in numbers… It can’t be made a success by a few — it is up to everybody to do his or her share.”
From that first gathering, the Chamber grew into a lasting institution, now the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. One hundred years later, it continues to champion local enterprise, promote the area’s unique assets, and community a mission that began not with a grand civi an exhibit of melons, mineral samples, pride, and determ
Source: The Mohave County Miner, Kingman Arizona, Friday, September 25, 1925, Pages 1 and 12
The First Chamber Officers Nov
The First Chamber Officers
November 6, 1925
ember 6 , 1 9 2 5
At its first regular meeting in early November 1925, the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce elected its initial slate of officers.
Willis J. Black - President - Service Station Owner
Judge Leroy V. Root - Vice President - Newspaper Editor
Henry L. Horner - Secretary/Treasurer - Banking (Arizona Central Bank)
Directors:
Clement S. Fox - MCUHS Superintenden
Axel Ericson, Plumber, Swedish
Robert Davidson, Chloride, Accountant, German
Ancel E. Taylor, Asst Postmaster
R. C. Morrow, possibly Roy C. Morrow, a Miner from “Owens”
W. R. Fairbanks, possibly William Ralph Fairbanks, a Miner from Gold Road and Oatman
Warren G. Damon, Kingman, Editor and Publisher of Mohave County Miner
Together, these ten men formed the Chamber’s first governing board. They pledged to promote agriculture, mining, and livestock, encourage new settlement, and showcase the county’s resources at every opportunity.
Headlines from 1925: Headlines from 1925:
September 25, 1925
October 23, 1925
December 11, 1925
October 16, 1925
October 30, 1925
October 23, 1925
Headlines from Mohave County Miner and Our Mineral Wealth Sept - Nov 1925
November 6, 1925
December 4, 1925
Photographs from Mohave County Union High School annuals 1923 & 1924
Filmed at Tap Duncan’s ranch!
Although the Kingman Chamber today officially traces its founding to 1925, newspaper reports reveal an even earlier organization. In late 1914, the Kingman business community organized a Chamber of Commerce that held meetings, formed committees, and launched projects. By 1915, it was soliciting memberships and even hired a manager. In 1916, ads in the Mohave County Miner promoted Mohave County as “the world’s richest treasure house,” inviting further inquiries to be sent to the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce in Kingman, Arizona.
What became of this earlier organization? By May 1917, Anson Smith, the editor and publisher of the Mohave Miner, called for a much-needed Chamber of Commerce in Kingman, lamenting that the communities of Oatman and Chloride were both touting their resources while Kingman was idle.
Perhaps Kingman had difficulty competing with the mining concerns in those communities. Mining booms and busts, along with the upheaval of World War I, may have made maintaining continuity and funding of a dedicated Chamber of Commerce difficult. By 1921 there was an organization called the ‘Mohave County Chamber of Mines & Commerce’, and business ads touted their membership.
Despite the gaps, these earlier organizations undoubtedly helped pave the way for the reorganization in 1925 that established the lasting Chamber, which remains active today.
A 1916 advertisement in the Mohave County Miner promoted the county’s resources on behalf of the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce in Kingman, Arizona evidence that an organized Chamber existed nearly a decade before the official 1925 founding.
What Kingman needs probably above all else is a live, open, real Chamber of Commerce.
Anson Smith, editor of the Mohave County Miner, May 1917
Sources: Mohave County Miner newspaper articles, advertisements and editorials, 1914–1917 (Anson H Smith, editor and publisher)
Honoring the Heart of Kingman –
The Andy Awards
Honoring the Heart of Kingman – The Andy Awards
In 1983, I moved to Kingman with no idea how deeply this community would shape my life. I spent 27 fulfilling years at the Mohave County Legal Defender’s Office before retiring, and during that time my husband Renie and I owned Aloha Plumbing. Through that business, I found my way to the Chamber of Commerce - first as a volunteer, then a board member, and in 2019, as CEO.
July 8, 2019 to Present Becky Fawson, C.E.O.
Of everything I’ve been part of, the Andy Awards holds a special place in my heart. It’s more than an awards dinner, it’s a reflection of what makes Kingman so unique. The Andy Awards celebrate the people who, in big or small ways, make a lasting impact. What makes it even more meaningful is that anyone can nominate, and submissions are judged anonymously on their merit. It’s not about popularity, it’s about community.
The Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit, and while that allows us to advocate and support local business, we’re excited to be launching a 501(c)(3) arm. This will let us accept tax-deductible donations to grow programs like She Means Business women’s group, Men at Work and a Contractors Group, building mentorship, peer support, and visibility for professionals across our region.
Our mission has always been to connect and uplift. Events like Business & Government and Business Bites Next Level Mastermind keep leaders engaged in conversations that matter. Our Ambassadors are the friendly force behind mixers, ribbon cuttings, and fundraisers like the Stick Pony Derby, Rhythm & Brews, and of course, tonight’s Andy Awards.
We’re proud of partnerships with Mohave College, City of Kingman, Mohave County, Kingman and Mohave Manufacturing Association (KAMMA), AZ@Work, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and more, ensuring our community has a voice in shaping workforce, infrastructure, and growth. One of our proudest accomplishments is First Fridays, which now draws over 8,000 people downtown each month. It boosts local businesses, supports vendors and restaurants, and offers family-friendly fun. It’s an example of how Chamber efforts spark vibrancy far beyond ribbon cuttings.
The Andy Awards are a chance to pause, reflect, and honor the people who give their time, talent, and heart to make Kingman better. Whether you’re here to cheer on a nominee, learn more about what we do, or simply enjoy an uplifting evening, thank you for being part of it. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected Kingman, and tonight we celebrate the people lighting the way.
Mohave County Chamber, early 1930s.
Mohave County Chamber, late 1950s.
For the first two decades, the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce operated through the efforts of its volunteer board and officers. According to Chamber records, it wasn’t until 1947 that the organization hired its first paid employee, Frances L. Woodward, who may have been Frances “Fannie” Lovin Woodward, daughter of Henry Lovin, early Kingman pioneer, merchant, and a signer of the Arizona Constitution.
In the 1970s, the position was referred to as ‘Executive Vice President’. By the year 2000, the position was changed to ‘President and CEO’. No matter the title, each of these individuals brought their own expertise, energy, and flavor to the position — shaping programs, recruiting members, and working tirelessly for the betterment of the area business community. In all, these dedicated professionals have been the heartbeat of the Chamber, ensuring that its mission has carried forward through decades of growth and change.
Cha
Managers Chamber Managers
1947-1949
1950-1953
1953-1954
1954-1956
1957-1958
1958-1960
1961-1972
1973-1977
1978-1981
1981-1987
1987-1989
1989-1992
1992–2010
2010–2014
2014–2016
2016-2018
2018–2019
Frances L. Woodward
Mrs. Gene Stephens
Howard E. Gamble
Ralph Patey
Harold D. Kreft
Bert R. Coleman
Melville Templeman
Alan Rings
Rollin C. Smith
Harry Hughes
David Garrett
Dave Frazza
Beverly Liles
Pamela Wilkinson
Yvonne Woytovich
Gregg Martin
Michael Hindenach
Source: Kingman Daily Miner, September 30, 2001. “Chamber Managers Since 1947.”
The photos below depict the Old 4th Street Schoolhouse located at 219 N. 4 Street. Built in 1896 as Kingman’s first permanent school, this landmark later became home to the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce and the Kingman Public Library during the 1930s and 1940s. After the Chamber moved in 1955, the building continued to serve the community as the public library for several decades. Today, restored to its original red-brick appearance, it houses the Kingman Municipal Court, pictured center.
Mohave County Chamber, 1940s.
To most of America
he was recognized as the quintessential western sidekick, appearing on both the big screen and television over a remarkable forty-year career His unmistakable, comedic voice became a staple of classic Hollywood, making him instantly recognizable to audiences everywhere. Yet here in Kingman, he was more than a movie star he was a cherished hometown figure. While his Hollywood fame grows more distant with time, his legacy in Kingman endures
Born Andrew Vabre Devine
Who was Andy Devine?
in October 1905 in Flagstaff, Arizona, Andy moved with his family to Kingman just one year later when his parents purchased the Hotel Beale, initially built by the Hubbs family. The Devines ran the hotel and also had a home on Pine Street. Andy spent his early years playing around town and, by all accounts, getting into plenty of mischief. It was at the Hotel Beale where Andy suffered a childhood accident that injured his throat. The details differ depending upon the source, but the result was unmistakable: the raspy, high-pitched voice that later made him one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood.
Andy’s attende (today freshma time sh same g
Andy’s tall and broad frame made him suitable fo football, which he played in college Interestingl enough, it was his college football jacket that got him noticed on a fateful day in Hollywood, which resulte in a bit part in a series called ‘The Collegians’. Thi experience ultimately propelled Andy into a full actin career, starting with silent films By the early 1930 when “talkies” had taken over, Andy’s unusual voice once thought a limitation, became his trademark.
Andy at age 4
Devine family, circa 1913, possibly on Pine Street, L-r: Amy (Ward) Devine, Andy, Tom, Jr, and Thomas Devine, Sr
Mohave Co
When America entered World War II, Andy was in his mid-thirties and beyond the age for active duty. He found another way to serve by helping solve a pressing problem how to train thousands of new bomber gunners. Drawing on his Arizona hunting background, he suggested adapting skeet shooting to teach recruits the timing and accuracy they’d need in the air
At March Air Force Base in California, Andy worked with his friend Norris “Tuffy” Goff to put the idea into practice. The program was endorsed by military leadership and credited with preparing countless young men for combat. In a 1955 episode of This Is Your Life, Colonel Thomas Steed recalled, “Andy came up with the right idea at the right time.”
Andy’s life reached far beyond soundstages. He served as the “honorary mayor of Van Nuys,” for many years, a ceremonial role that showed how beloved he was in his adopted California community.
In the 1960s, his familiar rasp could even be heard on the radio not as theater, but as an amateur ham operator Using the call sign WB6RER, Andy was known to fellow operators as the “Red Eyed Rooster” After his death in 1977, the Hualapai Amateur Radio Club worked with his family to transfer his call sign locally, where it is still in use today.
Above - Andy Devine (center, in white shirt) with gunnery trainees during World War II. His innovative skeet-shooting method for waist gunners was later recalled on This Is Your Life
Andy was devoted to his family. He married Dorothy House in 1933, and together they raised two sons, Timothy (nicknamed “Tad”) and Dennis Andy was remembered by his family as humble and genuine In a 1988 Mohave Daily Miner interview, his widow Dorothy recalled, “He was not full of himself. We had an awful time getting him to take publicity pictures. He loved working, but he didn’t like exploiting himself.”
Andy Devine operating his ham radio station as WB6RER the “Red Eyed Rooster” in the 1960s This photo is preserved by the Hualapai Amateur Radio Club, which still honors his call sign today
Photo at right courtesy of Mohave Museum: standing l-r “Tad”, Donna, Dennis, Barbara seated: Dorothy and Andy circa 1970
Left: Dennis Devine, wrote a biography/memoir published in 2013 called ‘Your Friend and Mine, Andy Devine’
The Devine Family
A Lasting Legacy
The Kingman Daily Miner wrote in a Chamber of Commerce supplement on October 2, 1981, that Andy’s “film credits read like a gallery of motion picture classics” Those credits include: Stagecoach (1939), A Star Is Born (1937), The Red Badge of Courage (1951), Island in the Sky (1953), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and Disney’s Robin Hood (1973), where he voiced Friar Tuck. On television, he was beloved as “Jingles,” the comic sidekick to Guy Madison in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Per the Miner article, “In 1956, Andy starred in his own TV series‘Andy’s Gang’”
In all, Andy appeared in more than 400 films and television shows, working alongside John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Vera Miles and Claire Trevor
Andy’s hometown never forgot him In fact, the official announcement that Kingman’s Front Street would be renamed Andy Devine Avenue came live on national television during This Is Your Life in 1955 Ralph Edwards told Andy the news, crediting Mayor Herb Biddulph and the City of Kingman for the honor. A new street sign was unveiled on the broadcast.
Andy Devine Avenue is today part of historic Route 66, a road that accommodates thousands of travelers through Kingman The sign is a reminder of the small-town boy who made it big but never forgot where he came from As Dorothy said in the 1988 interview:
“Andy was terrifically proud of Kingman, he really was”
From Pine Street to Hollywood, from the Beale Hotel to the silver screen, Andy Devine remains Kingman’s most famous native son and one the community still proudly claims
Sources:
Mohave Museum of History & Arts; Mohave County Miner (1919); Kingman Daily Miner (1981, 1988); This Is Your Life (NBC, 1955); Turner Classic Movies (TCM); Your Friend and Mine, Andy Devine by Dennis Devine (2012); Northern Arizona University La Cuesta Yearbook (1926); Hualapai Amateur Radio Club (WB6RER); Andy Devine Room, Dambar & Steakhouse.
Photo Credits: Mohave Museum of History & Arts; Northern Arizona University Archives; Hualapai Amateur Radio Club; Andy Devine Room at the Dambar & Steakhouse, and Portrait by Mildred Wheeler
Andy Devine Days: From Foot Race to Rodeo
In 1978, just a year after Andy’s passing, a local community service group known as the Kingsmen (then a division of the Chamber of Commerce) launched the first Andy Devine Days Surprisingly, it began not with a rodeo but with a 10K foot race, an arts and crafts fair, an old-car show, and a special museum exhibit of Andy’s costumes and film memorabilia The inaugural race drew more than a hundred runners and was won by Olympic medalist George Young of Casa Grande, giving the new event instant prestige. Young, a four-time Olympian and bronze medalist in the 1968 Games, returned to compete
in subsequent years, joined at times by other elite athletes such as Olympian Tom Wysocki and Las Vegas standout Ricardo Martinez. For a few short years, Kingman’s 10K was on the regional racing map, attracting serious talent alongside local runners. By 1981, the festival had expanded to include a parade with floats and marching bands, an air show, a softball tournament, and family events that drew hundreds of participants
Over time, the foot race faded away while the Kingsmen rodeo grew into the hallmark of Andy Devine Days, now drawing crowds each fall for professional bull riding, roping, and Western entertainment
Andy Devine himself returned to Kingman in 1970 for a celebration that was the town’s first “Andy Devine Day.” During his visit, he donated costumes, props, and memorabilia to the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. That generous gift became the foundation of a fantastic display that has grown over the years — an exhibit you can still visit today at the Mohave Museum
Today, more than fifty years after that day in 1970, Andy Devine Days has become the city’s signature celebration honoring the hometown boy who grew to become more than a Hollywood icon — a beloved father and friend, and one of Kingman’s favorite sons.
THE LITTLE THEATER CLUB OF KINGMAN THE LITTLE THEATER CLUB OF KINGMAN
Presents Presents
Arizona Arizona
Featuring a young Andy Devine
Featuring a young Andy Devine
APRIL 14 -15 1925 AT THE ELKS LODGE
APRIL 14 -15 1925 AT THE ELKS LODGE
Andy
A rare cast portrait from the Little Theater Club’s production of “Arizona,” taken on the stage of the Elks Lodge Hall in April 1925. This photograph brought together nearly the entire cast in costume soldiers, townsfolk, and principal characters posed beneath the set’s painted backdrop. Preserved by the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, it remains a treasured record of what the Mohave County Miner hailed as “the greatest amateur performance here.”
CAST & CREW
ANDY DEVINE as Doctor Fenlon
FRED MCALPINE - Director & as Captain Hodgeman
CHARLIE DUTTON as Colonel Canby
AGNES ELLIOT as Miss Cullaugh
PHIL HORNER as Sam Wong
HAZEL MULLIGEN as Lena
WILLIAM RANKEL as Sergeant Kellar
ROY STACKPOOL as Tony Mostano
RUTH WARE as Estrella
JOHN WARE as Lt. Denton
ELSIE SWEANEY as Bonita Canby
Mr. & Mrs. ROBERT JACOBSEN as Mr. & Mrs. Henry Canby
K.H. Davis & R.F. Clampitt –Army Lieutenants
Orchestra & Staff
Carl & Wash Smith: Live string accompaniment
Kingman High School Orchestra: Music heroes
Vernon Stableford: Sunset & moonlight lighting
E.O. Marvin: Scenery & stage carpentry
Mrs. Sarah Duvall & Mrs. Fred McAlpine: Business magic
Arizona — America’s Greatest Play Comes to Kingman
In April 1925, the Little Theater Club of Kingman brought the celebrated stage drama by Augustus Thomas to life at the Elks Lodge Hall. Billed nationwide as “America’s Greatest Play,” it transported audiences to the Arizona Territory during the Spanish–American War, blending frontier romance with the proud traditions of the United States Cavalry.
The Story
A young cavalry officer is accused of stealing Army funds to help a woman in trouble—an act that sets off a tangle of romance, rivalry, and intrigue on the Western frontier. Gallant officers, spirited ranchers, and the desert’s vivid color fill the stage in a drama of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
A Smash Hit in Kingman
Admission for the public was just 25¢. The Tuesday afternoon matinee drew about 150 schoolchildren—described by the Miner as “one of the most critical audiences in the world.” Evening performances played to full houses, and the local paper praised the “true artistic fashion” in which director Fred McAlpine staged the production.
A Community Triumph
With stirring performances, a spirit of community, and a packed Elks Hall, Arizona became more than a play. For a few unforgettable nights in 1925, it was the pride of Kingman.
Fun Fact
Andy Devine was just 19 years old when he appeared in this production with the Little Theater Club of Kingman. The newspaper described his character as “the sloppy, devil-maycare Dr. Fenlon, a true representative of an Army doctor and a sure fire laugh provoker”.
Poster for “Arizona,” Lithograph, circa 1907. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).
In the 1950s, Andy Devine became a television favorite as Jingles on The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Riding his horse Joker, Jingles was Wild Bill’s loveable sidekick. Thanks to Kellogg’s, the show’s national sponsor, Jingles was featured on Sugar Corn Pops boxes! The show ran from 1951 to 1958, and these vintage cereal boxes likely sold between 1954 and 1962—are a sweet reminder of Andy’s lasting charm.
These boxes are
FromApril1939
(gossipcolumnistSheilahGraham):
Do you recognize Andy Devine in the role of Cupid? Well, take another lo When I talked to him on Paramount’ “Geronimo” set, he told me that he
responsible for the Kingman, Ariz. e Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. “Ga up the night before and said, ‘Well going to do it tomorrow, but we don Can you suggest any place?’ ‘Sure,’ I hometown–Kingman, Ariz. And I can fixed for you. ’
Did Andy Devine play
‘Cupid’
Devine play
for Carole Lombard and Clark Gable?
‘Cupid’ for Carole Lombard and Clark Gable? Did Andy
“But I’m sorry I suggested it now, ” Andy added, “they used to say of Kingman–‘this is where Andy Devine was born.’ Now they will say, ‘this is where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married!'”
Theaboveblurbandphotowerefoundonthewebsite,‘dearmrgable.com’,andisattributedthereto SheilahGraham,theauthorofagossipcolumncalled‘HollywoodToday’thatappearedinnewspapers worldwidefordecades.ItiswelldocumentedthatCaroleLombardandClarkGableweremarriedat St.John’sEpiscopalChurch(latertheUnitedMethodistChurch)indowntownKingmanonMarch29, 1939,whileMr.GablewasonabreakfromfilmingGoneWithTheWindinHollywood. Astowhether their good friend, Andy Devine, paved the way for this famous couple’s escape via Route 66 to a secret elopment in Kingman is not so well documented. But it’s a great story! * Quotations above appearasinthesource(DearMrGable.com).
WHAT'SMYLINE?
Andy Devine appeared as the mystery guest on the popular CBS panel game show What’s My Line? on August 24, 1952. He tried hard not to let his distinctive, raspy voice give him away. This episode can be viewed on YouTube today - check it out!
One Hundred Years of Chamber history
doesn’t fit neatly into 26 pages, but I’ve done my best to capture the highlights. I have done the research and compilation, so any errors are my own. Amie Wade is a wizard with graphics!
What stands out to me from all the found clippings and fragile newspapers is the determination of the people from the very beginning those who gave their time, energy, and creativity to serve Kingman through the decades. Each board and every manager lent their own expertise and resolve to meet the needs of the day, moving the Chamber forward through every economic and social circumstance of the time. From the earliest shared spaces — the 4th Street library, to a relocated army barracks, from the renovated Powerhouse to our modern home with Mohave College the Chamber has adapted to every era. Yet our core mission has remained the same: to work for the betterment of our business community.
od to those who went before us, who started out ago with a mining and agriculture exhibit, convinced that if only it had the right exposure - people would know that Mohave County was abundant with opportunity. Today, we are still convinced that the Kingman area is abundant — not just with opportunity, but with beauty and history.
It has been my privilege to be a small part of the history of the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. May we continue to be the crossroads where Kingman’s business and community spirit meet for the next hundred years.
Laurie Voss Barthlow, Past Chair September 12, 2025
Tom Price Attorney Legal Advisor
Kim Bilbrey Edward Jones Finance Advisor
Thank you! Thank you!
Chamber Staff: Chamber Staff:
Julie
Gina
Becky
Amanda
Ricky
Scott
Bradlee
Laurie
Grace
Abagayle
She
Shelley
“If we listen carefully on Andy Devine Days, we may hear, above the hoopla and fanfare, a squeaky, raspy voice, saying, ‘I’ve got the best seat in the house,’” said Karen Goudy, former curator of the Mohave Museum of History and Arts.
