Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cbabe

(5,263 posts)
Sun Jul 20, 2025, 12:30 PM Sunday

100 years: A Route 66 ghost town was 'frozen in time'. Is it on the brink of a comeback?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/20/route-66-newberry-springs-california

A Route 66 ghost town was ‘frozen in time’. Is it on the brink of a comeback?

Newberry Springs was almost lost to the desert. But as America’s ‘mother road’ turns 100, locals see hope that the boom times could return

Amanda Ulrich in Newberry Springs
Sun 20 Jul 2025 10.00 EDT

The tiny desert cafe, caught in a desolate middle between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, had only been open for five minutes when the first customers of the day ambled in from the already blistering heat.

It was a Friday morning in June, sand swirling outside across the cracked street and towards the Bagdad Cafe’s front door. In the same parking lot, a 1950s-era sign advertised a motel that no longer exists. In the distance, only a few surviving businesses remained: a small community center, a veterans organization and a long-standing roadhouse bar popular with locals. A few miles to the north, an entire neighborhood was abandoned in the 1990s after mounds of blowing sand swallowed it whole; today, only rooftops and chimneys peek out from the towering sand dunes.



In small towns such as Newberry Springs, and an even tinier neighboring community 10 miles west called Daggett, residents are hoping the anniversary will bring in a flood of extra visitors. The Bagdad Cafe, where the 1980s cult classic film by the same name was shot, currently sees about 6,000 tourists each month. Locals anticipate that those numbers will double in 2026 – and they’re planning other ways to capitalize on the centennial, too.

“We’re a teeny, weeny, little slice of Route 66,” said Renee Kaminski, a co-owner of Newberry Spring’s historic bar.

“But we’re a mighty one.”

… more …

Baghdad Cafe
with CCH Ponder, Jack Palance

Truly magical

Trailer
https://m.



3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
100 years: A Route 66 ghost town was 'frozen in time'. Is it on the brink of a comeback? (Original Post) cbabe Sunday OP
Probably not a bad idea to mention what state Newberry is in. brush Sunday #1
California cbabe Sunday #2
The Old Route 66 Runs Two Blocks.... ProfessorGAC Sunday #3

brush

(60,608 posts)
1. Probably not a bad idea to mention what state Newberry is in.
Sun Jul 20, 2025, 02:00 PM
Sunday

Help us get our kicks on Route 66, please, as it went thru several states from Chicago to San Bernadino..

"...Joplin, Missouri, Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty
You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico, Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino."

Help us out, what state?

cbabe

(5,263 posts)
2. California
Sun Jul 20, 2025, 02:50 PM
Sunday

route66mc.com
https://route66mc.com › town.php?ID=516

Historic Route 66 Newberry Springs, CA Information | route66mc.com
Newberry Springs is another mostly lost Route 66 town, but it has a few sites worth seeing. The Bagdad Cafe' used in the movie by that name is here. This is

ProfessorGAC

(73,636 posts)
3. The Old Route 66 Runs Two Blocks....
Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:10 PM
Sunday

...North of our house.
We're not a ghost town, but a sleepy little community of 6 to 7 thousand and we see lots of Rt 66 cruisers come through this time of year.
Had a 100+ parade of motorcyclists come through a couple weeks ago.
In early June we had a Corvette club come through. Probably 60 Corvettes in that gaggle.
Memorial Day weekend there was a classic car show of about 150 cars and I saw plates from at least 10 other states.
We see this stuff every year. The Route 66 fascination is a real thing.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»American History»100 years: A Route 66 gho...