A section of old Route 66 between Barstow, California, and Amboy, California, that was closed for several years due to bridge washouts is open again. The Facebook accounts of the California Historic Route 66 Association and Roy's Motel & Cafe this week both reported the road being reopened by San Bernardino County, which holds jurisdiction. … Continue reading Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow
Tag: Essex
Criollo cattle once grazed in California’s Mojave Desert
It's hard to believe now, but Criollo cattle that were brought with Christopher Columbus more than 500 years ago to North America once roamed the harsh Mojave Desert of Southern California. That nugget came from John R. Beyer, a columnist for the Victorville Daily Press, in a feature about the depleted Route 66 town of … Continue reading Criollo cattle once grazed in California’s Mojave Desert
Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
The San Bernardino County board of supervisors recently approved a nearly $2.5 million engineering contract to build 10 new bridges on old Route 66 near Amboy and Essex, California.' The board earlier this month awarded the contract from several bidders to Dokken Engineering of Folsom, California. According to county documents, it's anticipated the bridges will … Continue reading Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
Section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert will remain closed for several more years
Those who've waited for San Bernardino County to reopen a lengthy, storm-damaged section of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert will have to wait a while longer. ROUTE Magazine reported in a Facebook post Wednesday part of the historic highway likely will remain closed likely through at least part of 2023: According to the Department … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert will remain closed for several more years
Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November
Mitchell Caverns, a Mojave Desert site off Route 66 that has been closed since 2011 because of varying infrastructure problems, will reopen Nov. 3 on a limited schedule. An official with California State Parks announced the reopening Friday, reported the Press-Enterprise. It will open at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and on holidays until the … Continue reading Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November
More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy
Those hoping old Route 66 between Essex and Amboy, California, would reopen to traffic by September after bridge repairs may have to wait longer -- storms damaged more than a dozen bridges in that stretch last week. Mazin Kasey of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works said in an email Monday that 14 … Continue reading More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy
DVD review: “The California Promise: Historic Route 66”
Route 66 in the Mojave Desert may look barren, but its past brims with history and stories. That's the takeaway from Unoccupied Route 66's latest film, "The California Promise: Historic Route 66." The 37-minute documentary, again directed by KC Keefer, explores a 100-mile stretch of ghost towns that dotted Route 66 in Southern California's harsh desert. … Continue reading DVD review: “The California Promise: Historic Route 66”
A high-speed trip on Route 66 through the Mojave Desert
A dedicated driver known only by the name of Forgotten Hwy recently uploaded footage of drives on Route 66 through California's Mojave Desert. These are quality, high-speed videos with annotations of towns, prominent crossroads and streets encountered on the Mother Road. This is a good way to travel vicariously in Route 66 in the Mojave … Continue reading A high-speed trip on Route 66 through the Mojave Desert
Trailer for “The California Promise” documentary released
A three-minute promotional trailer for Unoccupied Route 66's latest documentary, "The California Promise," was placed online a few days ago. This segment shown here deals primarily with the Mojave Desert ghost town of Bagdad. https://youtu.be/wYae2Q9aIYg More about the upcoming film: Join host Nick Gerlich as he explores the Mohave Desert on an old section of … Continue reading Trailer for “The California Promise” documentary released
Mitchell Caverns will reopen later this year
Mitchell Caverns, a Route 66 attraction in California's Mojave Desert until state budget cuts forced its closing six years ago, is slated to reopen in May or June. A spokesman for the California parks system told The Press-Enterprise it doesn't have a firm date for reopening because "we still have some work to do" in … Continue reading Mitchell Caverns will reopen later this year