Barstow: Route 66, Railroad History and Desert

Barstow Between Route 66 and Mojave History

Barstow brings together significant chapters of American transportation and desert history. The Old Spanish Trail runs through the city and was designated a National Historic Trail in 2002. The Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow Scenic Byway also ends here. Those planning a trip with historic sites, museums, and landscape experiences will therefore find a range of themes to explore together in Barstow.

When planning your accommodation, you can consider whether you would like to focus primarily on the city’s cultural offerings, the stories of Route 66, or the natural area north of Barstow.

Railroads, Route 66, and Historic Buildings

One particularly prominent landmark is the Harvey House Railroad Depot, a historic railroad depot on Route 66. Today’s Harvey House is a Spanish-Moorish building designed by Mary E. J. Coulter and constructed between 1910 and 1913. In 1975, the depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The combination of architecture, railroad history, and Route 66 makes this site an important point of interest for visitors who want to learn more about Barstow’s past.

The Western America Railroad Museum displays railroad memorabilia from the Barstow area and from throughout the American West. There, you can view locomotives, photographs, and archives; two cabooses are also open for tours. The Mojave River Valley Museum expands on this historical perspective. Its exhibition presents the history of the Mojave River Valley from the arrival of Father Garces in 1776 through the space program.

The Route 66 Mother Road Museum also focuses on the region’s past. It showcases historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the communities of the Mojave Desert. Its scope ranges from early pioneer trails and railroads through automotive history to businesses and places along the route. There, you can learn about the development of Route 66 and the history of Mojave communities through historic photographs and artifacts.

Desert Landscapes and Unique Visitor Experiences

The Rainbow Basin Natural Area is located eight miles north of Barstow. It is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and features geological and paleontological points of interest. In this natural area near Barstow, visitors can hike, camp, take photographs, sightsee, and go horseback riding. If you would like to experience landscapes in addition to museums, you can take this focus into account when choosing your accommodation and planning your days.

The Desert Discovery Center has exhibitions and a desert trail that visitors can explore. The Old Woman Springs Meteorite is also located there; it is the second-largest meteorite ever found in the United States. For a trip with varied interests, the center thus offers another way to engage with the natural and scientific topics of the Mojave Desert.

Murals and Space History

In downtown Barstow, the completed Main Street Murals depict, among other subjects, the Harvey House, the Mormon Trail, Route 66, the Gold Rush, and the early explorers of the Mojave. Main Street Murals also offers a tour of murals in the downtown area. Another destination is the NASA Goldstone Visitor Center in Barstow. Admission is free, and reservations are not required.

This allows you to shape your days in different ways: historic buildings and museums, the development of Route 66, desert landscapes, or murals in the city center. Families and other travel groups can combine different interests without limiting the trip to just one theme.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

For further guidance, you can also include Adelanto, Loma Linda, Fontana, Ontario, Blue Jay, Fawnskin, Running Springs, and Big Bear Lake in your search.

For the broader travel overview: San Bernardino.