Before its transformation into a roadside park on U.S. 66, U.S. 93, and U.S. 466 in 1935, this site served as rodeo grounds that were also used for sporting events and fairs. In March 1917, the Chicago Cubs played a game here against a local team. In 1924, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Prates played an exhibition game on the rodeo grounds, arranged by George Farley "Boots" Grantham, who had lived in Kingman during his childhood. From 1922 to 1934, Grantham played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Giants, and he also played in the 1925 World Series. A locomotive donated by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1967 transformed the park, and a caboose was added in 1987.