California Historic Route 66 Association

Vintage Photos of Needles, CA

From the collection of Maggie McShan

Cat. No. 001

First bridge at Needles over the Colorado River, 1883-1890, was about 2 1/2 miles down river from "The Needles," as the town was called when established in 1883. After washing away many times it was replaced by Red Rock Bridge at site now called Topock.

Cat. No. 002

Front Street in Needles, looking northerly toward Harvey House. At left was Claypool's Store, bought from pioneers Monaghan and Murphy in 1911. Tall building was Irataba Hotel, named for a famous Mojave Indian chief. Hotel was later renamed Gateway.

Cat. No. 003

Long time San Bernardino County Sheriff Frank Bland, in 1954 Marathon parade on Front Street, then Route 66, with Santa Fe Park and Harvey House in background.

Cat. No. 004

A celebration on Front Street with Railroad Park and Santa Fe train in background. Date, 1910.

Cat. No. 005

A C. R. Allen photo, 1910, showing El Garces in foreground, with railroad yards, and park area in background. Celebration probably July 4th.

Cat. No. 006

Front Street scene, looking south, 1910. The tall building is still standing at 815 Front St. Owned now by Jack and Janetta Lawrence, who live upstairs, have a ceramic shop on first floor, and are in the process of restoration.

Cat. No. 007

C. R. Allen photo 1910. He had an early photography studio. This may be the same celebration, but gives good view of an ornate building that housed Needles Drug Company. The streets appear to have been improved.

Cat. No. 008

900 block Front St. across from El Garces. Hotel Calzona on site where J C Pennwy's was later built. In 1995, Penney building occupied by Needles Museum and Soroptimist Community Thrift Shop. Date unknown.

Cat. No. 009

900 block Front Street in Needles. Buildings on that block still standing in 1995. Far right Mojave Emporium, now Chai's Chinese Restaurant; and a far corner, was bank, hotel, etc. now Irene's Home Furnishings. Park Garage was one of the earliest in Needles. Much later that site housed a bowling alley. Now a parking area. Early in century.

Cat. No. 010

Another view of 900 block Front Street but showing part of Santa Fe Recreation Hall in background.

Cat. No. 011

A parade on Front Street, where it turned the square around Santa Fe Park. At left was famous Green Garden. Hotel Monarch on corner in center (where furniture store is now), and California Hotel in background. This seems to have been made later than 1910 photos.

Cat. No. 012

A very early photo of El Garces, the Harvey House, before landscaping in place or park developed. Possibly Allen copied it from and earlier photo as El Garces had landscaping in 1908, according to an old postcard.

Cat. No. 013

Broadway through Needles in late 1960's. See highway 66 and 95 signs at right foreground. Most of these buildings are still in use. Broadway became Route 66 when the overpass (over railroad) was constructed in early 1960's. Front street no longer served as the main route.

Cat. No. 014

Front Street looking south as seen in late 1960's. Buildings, including Grandeur Cafe are still standing, but all have new facades except the Lawrence building, earlier used by BPOE. Entire Gateway Hotel Block was consumed by fire soon after this photo was taken.

Cat. No. 015 (Vivien Davies Collection)

Red Rock Bridge and Old Arch Bridge (background), Colorado River at Topock in 1948. The Old Trails Arch Bridge has been converted to support a gas line. The Red Rock Bridge was converted for highway and opened for traffic in May 1947. It was dismantled in 1976.

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