Hostile takeover of Havasu Palms

[One2go]

This story… Told by the a family member of some of original pioneers here in Lake Havasu, is just amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
My grandfather did basically the same , building a ranch , gun range, pear orchard from land that no one wanted in the canyons above Acton (Palmdale area) California. For much different reasons it only lasted from late 50 s to about 1978. That’s a whole different story though.
This reminded me of the life my grandfather and my father and mother along with ther brothers and sisters had.
It’s a bit long but well worth the time to see what happened to this family in their words.

 

[One2go]

Hopefully the link works , if not simple YouTube search can see.

 

[HNL2LHC]

This story… Told by the a family member of some of original pioneers here in Lake Havasu, is just amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
My grandfather did basically the same , building a ranch , gun range, pear orchard from land that no one wanted in the canyons above Acton (Palmdale area) California. For much different reasons it only lasted from late 50 s to about 1978. That’s a whole different story though.
This reminded me of the life my grandfather and my father and mother along with ther brothers and sisters had.
It’s a bit long but well worth the time to see what happened to this family in their words.

Interesting story. Thanks for sharing. I know that I will be looking closely while passing on the water.

 

[stephenkatsea]

We will definitely watch this entire 1 hr + story on TV via YouTube. Havasu Palms is perhaps the most unique of Havasu RV parks. Not sure how many inmates are now at HP. There was once an inmate who used to commute to work from there most every day. If you’ve ever driven the road into there, you have to wonder what it was like towing those mobile homes into there. There were times the little restaurant got rave reviews. Now you don’t hear anything about it. Maybe it’s closed? The air strip? Unlike Black Meadow Landing’s air strip, I do believe it was used by the occupants. Maybe watching the YouTube documentary will provide some answers.

 

[One2go]

We will definitely watch this entire 1 hr + story on TV via YouTube. Havasu Palms is perhaps the most unique of Havasu RV parks. Not sure how many inmates are now at HP. There was once an inmate who used to commute to work from there most every day. If you’ve ever driven the road into there, you have to wonder what it was like towing those mobile homes into there. There were times the little restaurant got rave reviews. Now you don’t hear anything about it. Maybe it’s closed? The air strip? Unlike Black Meadow Landing’s air strip, I do believe it was used by the occupants. Maybe watching the YouTube documentary will provide some answers.

It definitely answers many of your questions. I used to go to the bar /resturant in the late 80 s while staying at crazy horse.

 

[clark]

is this current or is this from several years ago?

 

[stephenkatsea]

We watched it. It was informative. And certainly takes you back to the days.

 

[J&k beer can]

Dont ever live in a resort town if you don't like change..
Pretty simple..

 

[stephenkatsea]

Who were the real winners, the Chemehuevi Tribe or their very well paid, likely with government $$, legal representatives?

 

[Paradox]

I watched the whole thing. Shame on the Chemehuevi tribe and the government for allowing such a travesty of justice. I will never set foot on Havasu Palms..

 

[EarpRider]

Very interesting, thanks for posting. I'd venture to say their are similar stories with many of the old/original resorts on CRIT land.

We usually do at least one off road ride to Havasu Plams every year.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Kind of off topic but I always remember late afternoon runs to Roads End with my parents, growing up.

 

[wash11]

I grew up at the Palms. Mid 80's through early 90's my folks had a place there and loved it. My dad and his best friend at the time worked maintenance for Walt for a couple of seasons. I'd stash my bike in the bushes at the Havasu marina and arrive by boat early Monday morning and pedal to school.
Timely posting of this thread for me. I just took my dad to the palms via dirt road on Thursday. It's the first time either of us had been there in 25 years. He's late 70's now with sliding health, was nice to spend time with him reminiscing and sight seeing.
Other than having some newer mobiles to replace the junk we all used to live in- it doesn't look much different. The restaurant was closed but still looked operational and the store at the docks is gutted- nothing inside at all. The place is still super sleepy mid week, even during the summer.

 

[Lavey5150]

I grew up at the Palms. Mid 80's through early 90's my folks had a place there and loved it. My dad and his best friend at the time worked maintenance for Walt for a couple of seasons. I'd stash my bike in the bushes at the Havasu marina and arrive by boat early Monday morning and pedal to school.
Timely posting of this thread for me. I just took my dad to the palms via dirt road on Thursday. It's the first time either of us had been there in 25 years. He's late 70's now with sliding health, was nice to spend time with him reminiscing and sight seeing.
Other than having some newer mobiles to replace the junk we all used to live in- it doesn't look much different. The restaurant was closed but still looked operational and the store at the docks is gutted- nothing inside at all. The place is still super sleepy mid week, even during the summer.

Crazy I ran across this thread. I’m going to stay at the Havasu Palms for Thanksgiving weekend. can’t wait to take my family there and show them all of my childhood memory spots. We also had a place there in the early 80s -mid 90’s. We were right on Whipple Bay Road third unit in overlooking the docks.I think Jerry bought our place after we sold it when my parents split in the 90s. The memories I have of Havasu Palms are priceless. Summers Spring Break Winter- you couldn’t ask for a better family vacation spot. That famous dirt Road kept all the dbags out of there. I am sure you remember lucky the burrow! Place w/red roof colored was ours.

 

[AZLineman]

Aren’t they building a new pool and bar there

 

[Lavey5150]

Aren’t they building a new pool and bar there

Not sure about a pool, but there is progress being made on the new bar on the point. roads end restaurant is no longer. The green drink shall RIP. It is now an office for the new regime.I spoke to a kid while I was there, He told me that the turtle/den group is taking over here. they have some pretty Big plans -homes not manufactured or mobile to be built at the two points heading towards Havasu. I had an incredible trip out there. What a walk down memory lane.My early days there early 80’s -mid 90’s will never be forgotten.progress is here. so glad I had a chance to show my kids and Wife the area.

RIP Walt Caroline and Gerry

 

[Mandelon]

So many stories of trouble with tribal owners. I sure wouldn't buy on non deeded land.

This is coming up all over the Palm Springs area. In some areas every other square mile is indian owned. A lot of the valley is like a checkerboard. the leases are now under 30 years left and financing is become difficult to obtain. It is affecting prices.

 

[stephenkatsea]

I believe there are many Havasu Palms and Black Meadow Landing inmates on here. Although, some are reluctant to admit to their BML past. We were there, for over 20 years. Good times. Good friends. Many had problems with the Concession Owner. And he wasn’t even tribal.

 

[JB in so cal]

Some going back...

 

[Paradox]

I believe there are many Havasu Palms and Black Meadow Landing inmates on here. Although, some are reluctant to admit to their BML past. We were there, for over 20 years. Good times. Good friends. Many had problems with the Concession Owner. And he wasn’t even tribal.

Can you tell me if any of the claims being made by the family (in the OP’s original post) false? It really comes off as them getting completely screwed however, I guess there are always (at least) 2 sides to a story.

 

[stephenkatsea]

No. I’ve no idea. Our long connection was with Black Meadow Landing. The dispute there was between a father and son, the concession owners. They did not own the land. That was/is federal BLM land. At one point the father and son held the concession for many other resorts along the Parker Strip. After a lengthy legal dispute, the son ended up with the BML concession. The son told me, he and his dad had once owned the land that is now The Riviera. Don’t sure how true that was.

In any case, the son recently sold his Black Meadow concession. Believe he is no longer in AZ. Now lives in Moapa (?) Valley NV? I assume the father has passed.

 

[HB2Havasu]

I've heard so many stories over the years about how the Indians came in and evicted families that had been leasing from them for decades. The old cowboys named them Indian Givers for a reason, lol.

 

[RogerThat99]

I finally watched the whole video. What a terrible story, and at the same time, a great story. All her memories she has. I will boycott that place now. I've never been before, so it shouldn't be that hard. LOL.

 

[F.U.IRS]

Not sure about a pool, but there is progress being made on the new bar on the point. roads end restaurant is no longer. The green drink shall RIP. It is now an office for the new regime.I spoke to a kid while I was there, He told me that the turtle/den group is taking over here. they have some pretty Big plans -homes not manufactured or mobile to be built at the two points heading towards Havasu. I had an incredible trip out there. What a walk down memory lane.My early days there early 80’s -mid 90’s will never be forgotten.progress is here. so glad I had a chance to show my kids and Wife the area.

RIP Walt Caroline and Gerry

Took the boat down that way yesterday, was wondering what the pergola looking building was out on the point. Guess that's going to be the bar? Also had some friends take their SxS ou

t there over Thanksgiving, they said part of the road to get there has now been paved. The bar building is little further alo g than this picture you posted. I should have taken one yesterday.

 

[EarpRider]

I finally watched the whole video. What a terrible story, and at the same time, a great story. All her memories she has. I will boycott that place now. I've never been before, so it shouldn't be that hard. LOL.

She took a little boat across the lake daily to go to High school, sooo bad ass.