Table of Contents
From: Friends of the Mojave Road
Potpourri
The Circle Motel
Driving Route 66
Remember the Water bags?
We Are Now Listed with the Other Seven States' Route 66 Associations
From: FRIENDS of the MOJAVE ROAD REPORT #95,
November 1990, pp 11-12:
Dennis Casebier, Chairman, included our news release in his most recent newsletter:
"The entire nation is in love with United States' Highway 66. Most states that are
favored with 'Route 66' traveling within their borders have formed associations to promote
the memory and to preserve this historic route. Vivian Davies of La Verne called with the
news that California now has an association - California Historic Route 66 Association.
She said the organization is duly registered with the State of California and they are
ready for business. The goal of the new organization is to 'PRESERVE AND PROMOTE the value
of HISTORIC ROUTE 66 OF CALIFORNIA and its unique landmarks.' A preliminary news release
reads: The California Historic Route 66 Association is now organized and ready to receive
members. The initial organizational meetings took place recently in La Verne,
appropriately enough, on Route 66. The group is eager to communicate with other
communities on the old highway or anyone who shares their goals which are to preserve and
promote the value of Historic Route 66 and its unique landmarks but more than that, to
have fun, share good times and some memories. There are planned tours, Fun Runs,
get-togethers and meetings. This organization has no relationship with the San Bernardino
County Tourism Development Council. Those interested may call 714.593.4046 or address
inquiries to: CHR66A, 2127 Foothill Blvd, Suite 66, La Verne, CA 91750. Individual or
family memberships are $15.00 and business memberships are $25.00. Business ads are
solicited for the newsletter.
"Let's get behind California's Route 66 Association. After all, Route 66 is a
descendant of the National Old Trails Road and the grandchild of the Mojave Road.
"The National Old Trails Road began to boom as a transcontinental automobile route
in the teens. Goffs was a highway town as the road went right through here then. A good
deal of the population in Goffs that justified construction of the Schoolhouse that we are
in now came from people involved in service businesses along the highway. The National Old
Trails Road became U.S. Highway 66 in 1926 and for the next five years the traffic flowed
through Goffs and past the Schoolhouse. That original alignment of 'Route 66' is the
southern boundary of the Schoolhouse property. In 1931 the highway was relocated in one of
the many moves that would be made over the years to shorten the highway. Goffs was
bypassed. It died and that is what led directly to discontinuation of the Goffs School in
1937. We are glad to have had early National Old Trails Road and Route 66 history here in
Goffs, but we are equally happy that the later highway and now I-40 are a comfortable six
miles to the south. Because of the steep hill out of Needles on the present alignment,
many savvy travelers know the ''road that is best,'' and they keep to the original
alignment and pass through historic Goffs. With the possible exception of a couple of old
buildings, the Goffs Schoolhouse is the only remaining structure in this community left
from National Old Trails Road and U.S. Highway 66 days."
Potpourri
ARIZONA ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR US
Let's face it. Being the new kids on the block, we were anxious to get acquainted with
our neighbors. Mike and Linda Cutillo and Viv Davies drove to Needles and picked up Maggie
and Mac McShan to attend Arizona's November meeting in the Oatman Hotel, Oatman, AZ. The
joyous, enthusiastic and warm welcome overwhelmed us. We told them California is a little
late getting in there, but we'll catch up with all of you!
ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
Greets us with their very interesting newsletter and classy brochure. Thank You!
Exchanging our newsletters is the way to go. We would love to hear from Texas, Missouri,
New Mexico and Kansas too.
---THE "PREZ SEZ":
- a hearty welcome to our new organization. Certainly Route 66 is not new but the
incorporation of CHR66A is. We - Californians - now have an official Route 66 Association
and that's exciting in every sense. We want to hear from other Californians who have Route
66 committees and invite them to join us. We have many plans and of course, we welcome new
ideas. First of all, we are starting with a membership drive. We invite you to join us by
filling in the application form below. Please take a moment to complete the form and remit
the membership fee. California is a great place and I know we will grow into a strong
association. Our objective is to preserve and promote the historic and cultural element of
Route 66. Before it was paved, our forebears traveled the old Route 66 to seek a better
life. Help us preserve that memory and in some special way we'll know that because of
their perseverance, California has become a better place for us. - Jennie Avila,
President. (Ed note: Jennie was responsible for the success of the Azusa Route 66 party
they held for Michael Wallis on his book-signing tour, 11 July 1990.)
SPECIAL FRIENDS
We are very proud of our two very special friends in the East Mojave. Maggie McShan has
lived in Needles for the past fifty-odd years and is well known in the desert as a news
broadcaster and journalist for some thirty-odd years. Her historical columns in the local
paper were a favorite for many years. Dennis Casebier, of the Friends of the Mojave Road
is a most welcome and gracious supporter of our new Association.
OKLAHOMA FIRST STATE TO RESPOND TO US!
Danny Scott, Oklahoma City, telephoned to congratulate us and send his greetings. Later
in the mail we received an invitation to Oklahoma Route 66 Association's Annual Luncheon
Meeting, Nov. 17th, 1990, in Bethany, OK. We wish we would have been able to attend.
DESERT LIFE MAGAZINE HAS A NEW NAME
Bill Delaney, Publisher and Editor, sends us his greetings and the news that the
magazine now has a new name. Subscribe to it now by "Our Land", PO Box 1296,
Ontario CA 91762.
TOM SNYDER'S NEW BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW
"The Route 66 Traveler's Guide and Roadside Companion" St Martin's Press, 175
Fifth Ave, NY 10010, is in the bookstores now. Thank you, Tom, for your ongoing
encouragement and backup.
AND DID YOU KNOW THAT...
The names of the railroad stations from San Bernardino to the Arizona line were
originally (1883) in alphabetical order, named after places "back east": Amboy,
Bristol, Cadiz, Danby, Essex, Fenner, Goffs. At a later time, Homer, Ibex, (Ibis),
Klinefelter and Ludlow were added. (From "1000 California Place Names," Erwin G.
Gudde.)
THE CIRCLE MOTEL by Ryan Michaels
On Route 66 in Fontana, California, stands an antique sign. It reads "Circle
Motel." There is no motel, just a sign on a vacant lot. In its heyday this motel
served as refuge for many a weary traveler in search of a new life in California. I don't
know when it was built although it was probably the oldest of the old in that area, just a
few miles west of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto. The Circle Motel was recently purchased by
Orientals who unfortunately, from a conversation I had with one of the owners, do not
understand the historic value of the Mother Road and its treasures. Some years ago it was
condemned by the City of Fontana and demolished. There are many classic motels in the
Rialto and Fontana area that have been converted, destroyed, or downgraded from the
popular Mom & Pop enterprises that they were before I-40 took the trade away from
Route 66. It seems to me they could have left Route 66 intact from Chicago to Los Angeles
and called it the "Scenic Route" as it was. I know many people would have used
it instead of I-40 and all those precious works of art would still be proud, crisp and
more important than ever to the traveling public. It would have saved jobs, towns, and
dreams. Four lanes of asphalt can never take the place of a dream. Michael Cutillo from
Cucamonga, Calif. wrote a cute little song about the Circle Motel. It may not be as
popular as the motel was, but when the sign comes down maybe someone will remember the
name. Maybe someone's memories of Route 66 and the Circle Motel will surface. Michael also
wrote the lyrics to "Oatman U.S. 66" and "I-40 The Curse," music by
Paula Young, which are on sale at the Oatman Hotel, Oatman, Arizona, 86433 Do you have a
Route 66 memory or story to tell? Long or short, send us your story. We'll print it under
the column banner: "California Nuggets".
DRIVING ROUTE 66
TO ATTEND THE FRIENDS OF THE MOJAVE ROAD
11TH ANNUAL MOJAVE ROAD RENDEZVOUS,
NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER, 1990 by Peggy Palmer
Wearing my neon California Historic Route 66 Association T-shirt, a recent round trip
to Needles provided an opportunity to leisurely explore what's left on California's Route
66. Which of the abandoned buildings are near collapse, and, are any of the others waiting
for someone to come and love them again? It's happening! You'll see:
From Los Angeles area it was I-10 and I-15 through Cajon Pass to Victorville then onto
old Route 66 to Oro Grande (a big cement plant), Hodge, (an abandoned gas station and
cabins on east side of the road), and Helendale -- whatever is there I blinked and missed
it = then Lenwood, quite a little community, then Barstow.
From "A Guide Book to Highway 66 (1946) by Jack D Rittenhouse, heading
west between Lenwood and Helendale:
Through this section are many chicken and turkey ranches, small farms, and
occasional orchards in the valley bottom along the Mojave River. ...Here the Mojave River
can be seen quite near US 66. This odd river runs underground for much of its length,
appearing suddenly along here. In California, along the coast, the palms and other trees
are green the year around, but the cottonwoods along the Mojave River observe the seasons
and their leaves turn color in autumn.
But who built the old Barstow Santa Fe RR Depot on the wrong side of the tracks? You
need the overhead bridge to cross all those tracks from the town to get to it!
Onto I-40 for two miles, taking Nebo off ramp, then back onto Route 66, I determined to
interview anyone inside any place of business that might be glad to know about our very
new California Route 66 Association.
In Daggett, on the south side of the road, the old house with the unusual curved roof
was Millet's Café which was in operation in the mid-thirties. Mrs. Millet ran it serving
family style meals, all you could eat for a dollar. It is a treasured landmark.
Between Newberry and Barstow: As you approach Daggett from the east, you will be
stopped at the California Inspection Station, located at this point to check cars coming
from the east. Here all westbound cars are stopped and careful inspection made to prevent
unwitting importation of fruit and plant diseases and parasites. ...Daggett itself is a
tree-shaded little old town that was formerly the location of smelters which handled the
ore brought down from nearby mountains. Some of the old store buildings remain, but the
town is now quiet. There are two trailer camps but no cabins...
Alongside the Santa Fe tracks and into the next town, I drove into Newberry Springs. A
few buildings, one, the Barn, that features music programs. A little old motel was just
outside Newberry and around the curve, more buildings. Troy Dry Lake could next be seen to
the north. Again on the north side in the middle of nowhere was a huge place with many old
cars, etc., but a Federal Express truck doing its thing found it easily. Next, black lava
beds from Mt. Pisgah Volcanic Crater edge the side of Route 66.
I pulled off into a former Route 66 rest area, a paved, curved "sideroad" -
and acknowledged the importance, in their day, of what was left of two metal privies
almost gone with the wind. It's one of two rest stops sponsored in the 50s by Mrs. Lawson,
a famous San Bernardino County supervisor from Needles. But the long-gone picnic tables
under shady ramadas are all just memories. Between Daggett and Ludlow the road has no
yellow painted center line. I-40 is very close, a half block away.
I stopped at Ludlow Coffee Shop and left our newsletter with Ginnie Knoll, the owner
who was pleased to know about us and wants to share the news with her family.
Heading for Amboy, the road is now resurfaced and with a bright yellow center line.
Route 66, following old Indian trails through this wide valley, has gentle hills on each
side. Later, a few minor chuck holes here and there but most are patched, telling me
somebody is taking care of our Mother Road. "Ambo 3 miles ahead. Needles 77" -
the "y" has been missing for many years. More black lava rock this time from the
Amboy Crater. Cross the Santa Fe tracks again and into Amboy, "Pop 20, Founded
1858"
Buster Burris, who owns the town of Amboy, cashiering in his café, took time to chat
with me. His friend who was standing there explained she had just sold her Chambless
place. Burris was glad to have our newsletter (and on a visit a week later, joined our
Association with a business membership). Watched two ladies digging into their coin purses
in front of the giant old tree, they couldn't get into the coin operated rest rooms
without dimes. Buster Burris would like to sell our California Route 66 T-shirts and
promises were made to follow through on that.
For about twenty miles on the north side of the road between Amboy and Essex I noticed
the unique desert "graffiti", where folks have spelled out words and names with
small rocks against the slope of the berm. Some are very easy to read from the moving car.
Buster Burris who owns the town of Amboy, cashiering in his Cafe, took time to chat
with me. His friend who was standing there explained she had just sold her Chambless
place. Burris was glad to have our newsletter (and on a visit a week later, joined our
Association with a business membership). I watched two ladies digging into their coin
purses in front of the giant old Athol tree -- the couldn't get into the coin operated
rest rooms without dimes. Buster Burris would lice to sell our California Route 66
T-shirts and promises were made to follow through on that.
The good news about the Chambless Road Runner Café and gas station, is, it's still
looking great but the bad news is, it's abandoned. But the Chambless Market is alive and
well. Gus Lizalde, a relative by marriage of the lady I had just talked to at Amboy,
recently bought the business from her. He has great plans for the rejuvination of the
general store, including a Mexican Food take out place managed by his partner, Paul Limon,
and of course, keeping the gas station. The old cabins will remain but he also plans to
put in an RV park. Lizalde, keen that we had formed our Association, looks forward to
things happening on the old road.
Danby is still there. But you have to look quick, on the south side to see it. It's the
old service station and you can still see the big color picture on the front of the
garage. The Neilsons still live in the adjacent house. Judge Neilson was known far and
wide as a judge of that area. A little court-house still stands on the property. Mrs.
Neilson taught school in Danby, then later at Amboy.
Route 66 through the eastern Mojave is lovely scenery. The mountains are not as close
to the road now. Beautiful valley, coming into Essex. An ancient sign announcing
"Tony's Coffee Shop & Motel", is one notch away from being readable, but is
still standing. The green-and-white sign welcoming me into Essex is seen just beyond. The
abandoned café and gas station with an unreadable big billboard sign above one saying
"For information ask here.." could have been a too-high tombstone, but the
alive-and-well Essex post office is next door. And Caltrans' "Needles is 41
miles".
From the Rittenhouse Guide book: US 66 now descends a long easy slope into the Mojave
Desert. Once this region lay beneath a great sea but violent earth movements and volcanic
action created many sharp peaks. Through the hundreds of centuries these peaks eroded and
formed the wide valley of this great desert. It is a region of memorable desolation and
shimmering heat, yet after its occasional rains the floor of the desert is dotted with
flowers. Occasionally you pass 'dry lakes' where water collects during rain and later
evaporates, leaving mineral deposits behind.
At the east end of Essex is a towing business with a sign proclaiming "Café"
but alas, Grace, the friendly gal inside, explains that for the present, until a legal
permit is granted, she can only offer her delicious home-made cakes and pies, etc.
Now Route 66 snuggles up to I-40 and the Santa Fe RR tracks. Mountains are bare, brown,
big and beautiful, close on south side, farther away on north side.
Goffs General store, Pat Payne, owner, welcomed me. The original store has been there
in her family for a number of years. This area was once a cultural center - the Governor
once stopping a train going through to give a speech. Now the train only stops for water
or to let other trains pass but at one time it was a regular stop. The Mojave Road (4x4)
is close by. Across the road is the Goffs Old Schoolhouse, headquarters for the Friends of
the Mojave Road.
After Goffs, I-40 speeds you up the hill and down into the beautiful Colorado River
valley and Needles. Maggie McShan, who publishes a local magazine, Footprints, was home,
and glad that California now can join the other seven states who have Route 66
Associations. She is our first Charter Member, is our Vice President, East, of our new
Association and will organize the Needles area branch members.
THE AMBOY VOLCANO by Ken Swank
In the 1940s, probably "45, '46, the kids from the Barstow High School hauled for
about a year all kinds of debris out and at different times dumped it down to the bottom
of the cinder cone. They had tires, old lumber, old creosoted railroad ties, all kinds of
junk. Who started it, nobody knows. On the fateful day, they set it on fire. The cinder
cone was then dormant for years. Suddenly it began to get a trickle of smoke. It shut down
the Santa Fe railroad, Highway 66, evacuated Barstow - they moved the entire company out -
everybody. And that thing burned and it burned and it got more and more and even people
could feel rumblings from the ground. They were very excited. The Los Angeles Times hired
an airplane, a reporter and a photographer, and they could see what happened and they
broke the hoax that had lasted for some 72 hours and had the whole center of the desert
tied up.
REMEMBER THE WATER BAGS? by Jan Webster
We had an old 1935 Dodge that we made the trip with several times and we used to put
those campers water bags on the bumper, or fender, to cool them down so we'd have water
coming across the desert. And my dad had this air conditioner that fit in the window.
Remember those? You only had to put water in it and water circulated, and movement of the
car created the flow of cool air in the car.
