Hank Wilde loves to talk about Route 66. He has discovered that visitors to Needles,
California do also. As owner and host of the Old Trails Inn, Wilde has many opportunities
to discuss the now legendary highway. Travelers from around the world have enjoyed his
accounts of the history of Needles, Route 66, and the landmark once known as the Palms
Motel. The name changed to Old Trails Inn when Wilde and his wife Edna acquired the
property in 1991. He still has the motel sign without its neon which dates to the 1950s.
However, he hopes the new name will express a new approach.
He sees the modern traveler different than the migrants and tourists of the past.
They're looking for more," he says. For them, travel should be an adventure and
that's what Route 66 is. It's an adventure and I call them adventure travelers.
"Needles has a very rich heritage. It is really extraordinary. We have the culture
of Native Americans, the influence of the Spanish, and don't forget the railroad. Can you
imagine shoveling coal to a steam engine in the desert?"
Needles rose out of the Mohave desert in 1883, alongside the tracks of the Santa Fe
Railroad. The vacant, but still majestic depot, was named for Padre Francisco Garces who
first made contact with the native Mojave people in the 1770s. Plans are being made to
restore the depot and Harvey House in the center of town. Citizens, including Wilde, have
formed a group called Friends of the El Garces for this effort.
Wilde suggests that the future for Needles lies in the past and hopes that Old Trails
Inn will be his contribution. Early photographs reportedly show the site as a tent camp
for the railroad. A postcard dated 1938 illustrates the property much as it stands now.
Then owners Guy and Orsavella Austin proudly advertised the "modern" motel as
"air-cooled" at the junctures of Route 66 and Highway 95.
The newly restored main building and a half dozen cabins sit between the railroad
tracks and Route 66. Across the highway, stands a mule-train wagon marking the east
entrance to the city. Here also lies the historic marker noting Father Garces' early
trail.
The cabins were once two rooms with a shared bath; welcome accommodations to the
migrants of the 30s. The structures were moved to the present location and added to what
is considered the original stone building and cellar. Wilde believes the first use of the
site was as a store. The later travelers would stop to rest and prepare for the difficult
desert path that lay ahead. Jack Rittenhouse noted in his 1946 guide to Route 66 that this
leg of the trip west should be made in the evening, night, or early morning. He also
listed several motels and restaurants. The list of services have changed, but the advise
to travel in the cool hours is still valid.
"Old motels closed, new motels were built near the interstate," Wilde
recounts. "And those that stayed open changed to weekly rentals."
It was this change in business environment, along with his ideas of adventure travel,
that encouraged the opening of the Old Trails Inn as a bed and breakfast.
The cabins are now designed with a sitting room and bedroom with private baths. Each is
decorated in a different period from history. Authentic deco and turn of the century
furnishings add atmosphere to the overnight experience.
Guests are encouraged to use the lobby and main building. Breakfast is served in a
comfortable room tastefully dressed in early photos of the Needles area and a camera
collection. Discussions, video viewing, or just visits often take place in the breakfast
room.
Others relax and enjoy the courtyard or a walk along the tiled paths which lead to the
individual cabins. The remaining palms and other plants help create the pleasures of a
park as well as shade from the sun.
More than fifty percent of the travelers are from overseas, according to Wilde. He
thinks they have a particular interest in Americana and are traveling Route 66 to find the
history of America.
"Needles has the history," he states. "Laughlin and Havasu are new. We
should become the hub of a tri-state area. Tourists have a chance to experience it all
right here. And this is some of the best stretches of Route 66 that can be found."
His favorite part of old 66 runs from the mining and wild west town of Oatman, Arizona to
Needles along the west slopes of the Black Mountains. The sharp points of the mountain
range east and south of the city gave the community its name of Needles. Exits to Route 66
from the interstate are well marked both in Arizona and California.
Needles continues to be a travelers oasis in the California desert. New restaurants,
such as the California Pantry on the west side of town, coexist with long established
stops such as the Wagon Wheel or Hungry Bear. Downtown, the recently reopened Overland
Restaurant has expanded its hours. All offer good food in pleasant surroundings. Meals
range from a sound three dollar breakfast to complete dinners for around $8.
Aside from the day trip to the casinos of Laughlin or the bridge in Havasu City, the
Colorado River offers plenty of recreation options. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty
of Park Moabi where Native American festivals and fairs take place. History buffs can take
in the Needles Museum located across from El Garces on Front Street. Museum director
Maggie McShan is a longtime resident and Route 66 historian. The many artifacts and
research materials in the museum portray the colorful and diverse history of the region.
"I want to invite people to stop in and visit," Wilde concludes. "We
hope we've created more of a home environment rather than just another motel."
Editors Note: The Old Trails Inn is no longer open.
Lodging at the Old Trails Inn is by reservation. Cabins rent for $50 double
occupancy with continental breakfast. For information and reservations write Old Trails
Inn, 304 Broadway, Needles CA 92363 or call (760) 326-3523.
Gateway To California
When you plan your next tour of Historic Route 66, be sure to stop in friendly Needles.
Nestled along the beautiful Colorado River, Needles has long been an oasis offering the
first glimpse of California to visitors traveling the Mother road. While staying with us,
you'll enjoy:
- 10 miles of drivable Route 66
- Historical Museum
- 18-Hole Championship Golf Course
- National Scenic Preserve
- Fine Accommodations
- Camping/RV Parks
- Aquatic Center
- City Parks
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
- Annual Spring Rodeo
- Bureau of Land Management -over 3 million
acres of public lands
THE NEEDLES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FRONT AND G STREETS
P.O. BOX 705
NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA 92363
Tel. (760) 326-2050
