California

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  • Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch – A Father and Son Story

    Out in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County lies Oro Grande, a small unincorporated community which is home to less than 1,000 residents. One of those residents is Elliot Long, son of Elmer Long, founder of the Bottle Tree Ranch which lies on a rural stretch of Route 66. Elmer Long was no stranger […] More

  • Amboy Crater: A Black Volcano Rising from the Mojave

    Rising from the Mojave Desert like a mysterious mountain from another planet, Amboy Crater is a nearly perfect volcanic cinder cone just off Route 66. Amboy Crater isn’t just a roadside oddity. It’s a geologic marvel. This cinder cone volcano last erupted over 10,000 years ago. Perfectly symmetrical and hauntingly beautiful, this National Natural Landmark […] More

  • “Do it in a Tee Pee” Village #7

    Of the original seven Wigwam Villages, only three still stand. Two of them—Village #6 in Holbrook, Arizona, and Village #7 in Rialto, California—are located on The Mother Road. Frank Redford, the creator of the Wigwam Villages, actually built the Rialto location himself (he also built Village #2 in Cave City, Kentucky). Construction began in 1947, […] More

  • Style: Architecture of Route 66 (Top 5)

      Imagine Route 66. What comes to mind? These 5 architectural styles will help define that “look” you know so well. 1. GOOGIE architecture: After winning the second World War, America was more optimistic than ever. With its sights set on the future, this architectural style captures the fascination with space-age technology and progress. From […] More

  • Remains of Roy’s: Population Zero

    West of Needles and east of Ludlow lies a desert community without a population. Today, Amboy, California consists only of a single gas station. However, the remains of Roy’s Motel and Café stand like a mirage against the breathtakingly bleak backdrop of the Mojave Desert. Established in 1939 by Roy Crowl, Roy’s started from humble […] More

  • Wigwam Hotels and Teepee Motels of Route 66

    What comes to mind when you think of Route 66? Novelty architecture and teepee motels! The Wigwam Motels started as a motel chain in the 1930s. Built to resemble Native American teepees, they were mistakenly named wigwams. Originally there were seven wigwam villages (Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, and California). Today three of the villages […] More

  • Rockin’ the Golden State: Tracing the Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll in California

    Picture this: you’re cruising down a California highway, the sun setting over the Pacific, and the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll legends filling the air. This isn’t just any road trip; it’s a voyage through the heart of America’s rock ‘n’ roll kingdom. From the Beach Boys’ sun-soaked harmonies to the revolutionary riffs of San […] More