He built the fort to protect the local miners and water supply from the raids of the Yavapai (Mohave-Apache), a Native-American tribe.

In the early years of the American gold rush, pan handlers began to arrive in Arizona searching for the precious metal.

Gold deposits were discovered in the desert mountains of Plomosa and Dome Rock in the area and a boom in the mining industry followed.

The California and Arizona Stage Company began transporting passengers which included prospectors, since gold had been discovered in the mines of Wickenburg and Prescott, and made stops at the station.

That year the town was officially named Quartzsite and Tyson owned three stores, two saloons and a post office.