This county is formed out of the northwestern part of the Territory, and is bounded on the west by the Colorado river. The remarks heretofore made of the river valley in Yuma county will apply to this county. The county lying east of the Colorado river is generally rolling and hilly, covered with nutritious grasses and an abundance of wood and timber. Stock thrives the year through without prepared food. There is a free pasturage in this county alone, yet unoccupied, for immense herds, and many valleys of excellent agricultural lands.
MINES – It has been known since the organization of the Territory, that nearly all the mountains in this county contained lodes of gold, silver, copper and lead, and, in 1863, an attempt was made to develope and work some of these lodes; some machinery was erected and considerable money expended, but as has been the case in nearly all new mining counties, hostility of Indians, extravagance, want of experience, etc., the investments proved disastrous, and the mining interest has been paralyzed, until within the past few months. Recently a few practical miners undertook the task of giving new life to this abandoned and almost forgotten field. Upon development, a number of lodes of gold and silver have been found, rich and extensive. A population of about five hundred miners have already accumulated in the Wallapai mining district. Machinery is being erected, roads built, and mines developed with a good prospect of excellent returns.
The inhabited places of the county are Mohave City, located on the Colorado river; Hardyville, six miles above, and the Wallapai mining district.
TRADE – Goods are principally shipped tip the Colorado river, and landed either at Mohave or Hardyville, although wagon trains are constantly running from Los Angeles with goods for this section and the interior.
Steamers often go up the river with goods as high as El Dorado Canon, and several years since one did go as high as Callville.
CLIMATE AND HEALTH – The same remarks made in connection with this subject of Yuma county, will apply to this county, except the northern and eastern portions are cooler.
Source: Resources of Arizona Territory. Francis & Valentine, Steam Printers And Engravers. 1871.