In the Spotlight
 |
Bob Abbey, Director
Bureau of Land Management |
Historic Route 66
Historic Route 66 near Amboy Crater
Route 66 captures and represents the pioneering spirit of emigrants set on coming west. Originally, there were no official roads crossing America. There were dirt trails used by settlers and there were railroads. Individual towns established themselves around these transportation routes.
When someone wanted to travel to another town with their vehicle, they either took the established trail or used a frontage access road for the railroad. Since towns were situated on an existing railroad line or trail, the primary trading businesses were located on that route. That led to the term “Main Street” for a town’s business.
In California, Route 66 runs from the Colorado River west of Needles through Goffs, Essex, Danby, Chambless, Amboy, Ludlow, and Barstow before reaching Los Angeles. The spirit and grandeur of a pioneer trail that helped to settle the west continues to live on!
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