CENTURY 21 Osborne Realty - Quartzsite Office

Quartzsite is 125 miles west of Phoenix at the junction of Interstate 10 and U.S. 95, near the Colorado River. Quartzsite is located within La Paz County. The community has a Mohave Desert setting and is only 879 feet above sea level. The nearby Kofa, New Water and Plomosa Mountains provide topographic relief while the Colorado River lies only 17 miles to the west. Quartzsite incorporated in 1989.

Quartzsite was established in 1867 on the site of Old Fort Tyson, a privately built structure constructed in 1856 by Charles Tyson for protection against Indian raids. Named Quartzsite because quartz was occasionally found in the area, the name evolved to Quartzsite through an error in spelling.

Tourism is the major contributor to Quartzsite's economy. The retail trade and service sectors benefit from the visitors who reside at the numerous (more than 70) mobile home and trailer parks in the vicinity between October and March. Beginning in October, nine major gem, mineral, and over 15 general swapmeeting shows are popular tourist attractions. The Bureau of Land Management and law enforcement agencies estimate more than 1.5 million people attend these events.

A rock hunter's paradise surrounds Quartzsite. Agates, limonite cubes, gold, and quartz are especially good "finds"-but they are only a few of the many different types around. In town, the Hi Jolly Monument is a reminder of an unusual pioneer experiment; it honors the Arab camel driver, Hadji Ali, who took part in an unsuccessful 1850's U.S. War Department attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the Arizona desert. Southward, off U.S. 95, rise the Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include Crystal Hill, Tyson Tanks, Tyson Wells Museum and the Hi Jolly Monument. South in the Kofa Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona's only native palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb. Farther south is Castle Dome Peak at the elevation of 3,793 feet.

Only 17 miles west, the Colorado River offers visitors a variety of water sports ranging from fishing to speed boat racing. Campgrounds, mobile home parks and other overnight accommodations are available along the river and in the Quartzsite area.