Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow

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

Demolition will spare El Rancho Motel’s big sign in Barstow

The landmark El Rancho Motel sign in Barstow, California, will be spared despite the imminent demolition of the motel itself after a massive fire earlier this year. California Route 66 booster Beth Murray stated in late October in posts to the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook that the massive sign will remain, and she … Continue reading Demolition will spare El Rancho Motel’s big sign in Barstow

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

Suspicious fire destroys much of El Rancho Motel in Barstow

A fire deemed as suspicious destroyed three-quarters of the historic El Rancho Motel on Tuesday night along Route 66 in Barstow, California. The three-alarm blaze forced the closing of about a quarter-mile of Main Street in the city, but no injuries were reported. The Victorville Daily Press in nearby Victorville had some details after the … Continue reading Suspicious fire destroys much of El Rancho Motel in Barstow

First Avenue Bridge in Barstow closed indefinitely after an accident

The First Avenue Bridge that leads to a Route 66 museum in Barstow, California, was closed to traffic after an accident last week and will remain off-limits indefinitely. The Victorville Daily Press reports the city is keeping the historic span closed as it assesses damage from a head-on crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon. It left … Continue reading First Avenue Bridge in Barstow closed indefinitely after an accident

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

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow near Barstow, California, recently dedicated a 6-foot-tall metal sculpture, signs and road stencils where the military service's eagle, globe and anchor emblem also comes with a Route 66 shield. The Stars and Stripes newspaper had the story: The symbol, made up of a highway shield superimposed over the service’s emblem, … Continue reading Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem

City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge

The City of Barstow, California, recently received a $5 million state grant to help replace the First Avenue Bridge that leads to the Harvey House and its Route 66 Mother Road Museum. According to a news release Sunday from city manager James Hart: The City of Barstow requested $5,000,000 million dollars from the Railroad Grade … Continue reading City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge

Rosita’s Restaurant in Barstow to close next month after 66 years

Rosita's Restaurant, a mainstay along Route 66 in downtown Barstow, California, for more than six decades, announced a few days ago it would close permanently on May 29. Proprietor Jerry Guardado Jr. stated on a social media post "the time has come for Stasia and I to start on a new path in our lives." … Continue reading Rosita’s Restaurant in Barstow to close next month after 66 years

First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down

The historic First Avenue Bridge in Barstow, California, that leads to the Harvey House and one of its tenants, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, will be demolished after a new bridge is built because it's a liability to the city. If the old bridge fell onto the BNSF railroad tracks, the railroad could bill … Continue reading First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down