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 recognized for their hospitality and collaboration during their first-anniversary celebration of national designation.
More than 300 attendees gathered at the El Garces Harvey House and Depot, in Needles, including representatives from two other Route 66 states, Arizona and Illinois, to commemorate the milestone anniversary.
“Our 18 partners are diverse, but all with the common interest in Needles, Route 66 and the Mojave Desert,” said byway representatives in their project application to the foundation.
The organization counts Native American tribes, cowboys, outdoor enthusiasts, motorcyclists and preservationists among their partners, many of whom were present at the celebration.
The foundation wrote this about the Needles-to-Barstow byway celebration:
This California Byway strengthened their support and awareness of the Byway with the First Anniversary Celebration of national designation, by bringing in new partners and representatives from two other Route 66 states -Arizona and Illinois. The Celebration took place at the historic El Garces Harvey House and Depot with more than 300 attendees. Their 18 partners are diverse, but all with the common interest in Needles, Route 66 and the Mojave Desert. Native American Tribes, cowboys, outdoor enthusiasts, motorcyclists, and preservationists are among our partners. The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe had an information table and beading demonstrations, reinforcing both the historic and cultural intrinsic qualities of the Byway. Members of the tribe were the laborers who built the El Garces and tribal members sold their wares trackside during the Harvey era. The Anul Cuwal Santa Isabel Needles Regional Museum was also open for visitors to learn more about the history and culture of the area. El Garces is located on the actual Byway- one of the original alignments of Route 66 through the town of Needles.
The Needles-to-Barstow byway represents 144 miles of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
(Image of Route 66 in California by Meins Photography via Flickr)