“BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum

The "BLVD" Cafe sign is back in the town where it once stood. The sign was on loan from the Duarte Historical Society in Duarte, California, to the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, for about 30 years. But after the museum closed earlier this year, Duarte historian Alan Heller recalled the sign was … Continue reading “BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum

Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage

The Bartsow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in a Harvey House on the north side of Barstow, California, will remain closed "indefinitely" after flooding from monsoon rains damaged part of the facility. The museum stated on its webpage that the city is repairing the damage and that no funds are needed. Deb Hodkin, longtime … Continue reading Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage

City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens

The City of Barstow, California, is hosting a special walk tomorrow over the historic North First Avenue Bridge before it is demolished and makes way for a new bridge in the coming weeks. The special walk will be at 9 a.m. local time Wednesday, according to an announcement from the city. The old bridge also … Continue reading City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens

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