Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles

A recent fire damaged two guest rooms at the Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, though the Route 66 landmark still is operating. Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories page on Facebook posted a photo of the damage during the July 4 holiday: A clerk who answered the phone at Fender's said the … Continue reading Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles

Rosie Ramos, manager of Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles, dies of cancer

Rosie Ramos, the beloved manager of Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, and an ambassador to Route 66, died of cancer over the weekend. Tributes to Ramos poured into social media even before her death when friends and relatives let it be known in recent days she was in the hospital, then in hospice … Continue reading Rosie Ramos, manager of Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles, dies of cancer

California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow National Scenic Byway earns national award

The National Scenic Byway Foundation recently gave a Hospitality Award to the California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow Scenic Byway. The byway was one of eight that received an award during the national dinner and ceremony in Leavenworth, Kansas, in May. The Victorville Daily Press reported: The Needles to Barstow National Scenic Byway was … Continue reading California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow National Scenic Byway earns national award

Needles Regional Museum to mark 47th birthday of Spike from the “Peanuts” comic strip

The Needles Regional Museum along Route 66 in Needles, California, on Aug. 13 will mark the 47th birthday of Spike, the hat-wearing, mustachioed dog who lives in the desert near Needles in the "Peanuts" comic strip. Spike, who is Snoopy's brother, first appeared in the comic on Aug. 13, 1975. According to the museum, "Peanuts" … Continue reading Needles Regional Museum to mark 47th birthday of Spike from the “Peanuts” comic strip

Two Route 66 motels in Needles are forced to close within a year

Apparently, Gallup isn't the only Route 66 town that is closing its historic motels. The River Valley Inn along Route 66 in Needles, California, was ordered shut down earlier this month by the city's Buildings Department due to unsafe conditions. That's less than a year after the Best Motel, also along Route 66 in the … Continue reading Two Route 66 motels in Needles are forced to close within a year

California Historic Route 66 Association to celebrate its historic byway on Feb. 12

The California Historic Route 66 Association will hold a Route 66 Byway celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at the historic El Garces in Needles, California. Attendees include Atlanta, Illinois, tourism director Whitney Ortiz as well as authors and photographers. Area car clubs are planning to attend, and free tours of El … Continue reading California Historic Route 66 Association to celebrate its historic byway on Feb. 12

Needles Chamber breaks ground on a new office, visitors center in El Garces

The Needles, California, Chamber of Commerce last week broke ground to build a new office and visitors center in a seemingly ideal location -- the historic El Garces train depot. The Mohave Valley Daily News had more details about the 1,200-square-feet project, which had been years in the making: The chamber will operate a full-service … Continue reading Needles Chamber breaks ground on a new office, visitors center in El Garces

Justin Scarred returns to Route 66 in his latest video adventure

Popular videographer Justin Scarred recently uploaded a new YouTube video that shows his adventures from Ludlow, California, to Kingman, Arizona. Scarred isn't just any video blogger. He has more than 230,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. So whatever he features in his clips gains a substantial amount of exposure. Here it is: https://youtu.be/ntWfJ7PM4nk Scarred seems … Continue reading Justin Scarred returns to Route 66 in his latest video adventure

Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?

A recent discussion thread on the National Old Trails Road page on Facebook recently centered on a site I hadn't heard of before -- the Mystic Maze, aka Topock Maze, just south of Needles, California. For the uninitiated, the Mystic Maze is a series of rows of parallel lines in the desert, just south of … Continue reading Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?

California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway

About 150 miles of Route 66 from Needles, California, to Barstow, California, was officially announced Tuesday as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. Over 300 miles of Missouri's Route 66 also attained All-American Road status, which means it contains features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and is unique … Continue reading California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway