Cruising Route 66 Through Barstow, California

An old highway, a little rock and roll, and a whole lot of history.

There's something about driving down an old highway that makes you wonder about all the people who traveled that same road before you. Where were they going? What were they looking for? And how many stories did they leave behind?

Breezie and I recently took a drive right through the heart of Barstow, California, following historic Route 66. We weren't in any hurry. We just wanted to enjoy the ride, take in the old buildings and storefronts, and see a little piece of America's past that's still hanging on today.

And naturally, we brought you along!

A Little Town With a Big History

Barstow sits right in the middle of California's Mojave Desert, surrounded by mountains, railroad tracks, and miles of wide-open country.

Long before automobiles came rolling through, the railroad helped put Barstow on the map. In the late 1800s, mining and rail transportation played a major role in the town's growth. Trains carried freight, supplies, and passengers through this desert crossroads.

One of Barstow's best-known historic landmarks is the Harvey House, also called Casa del Desierto. Built in 1911, it served railroad travelers during a time when train stations were busy gathering places and a trip across the country was an adventure all by itself.

Then came Route 66.

Established in 1926, the highway eventually became one of America's most famous roads. During the Dust Bowl years, families traveled west looking for better opportunities. In the decades that followed, vacationers loaded up their automobiles and headed toward California.

Barstow became a familiar stop for travelers needing gasoline, food, a place to sleep, or simply a chance to stretch their legs before continuing across the desert.

Taking a Ride Down the Mother Road

As we drove through town, we enjoyed looking at the shops, signs, buildings, and little details along the road.

Some places have changed with the times, while others still have that wonderful old-fashioned character. And that's part of what makes Route 66 so interesting. You can drive through an ordinary-looking town and suddenly spot something that reminds you of another generation.

Just imagine pulling into Barstow back in the 1950s, with a big chrome-covered automobile, the windows rolled down, and the radio playing your favorite song. Maybe you'd stop at a roadside diner for a hamburger and a milkshake before heading west again.

Those were different days, weren't they?

Of course, today's Barstow is a working town, not a museum. People live here, raise families, run businesses, and go about their everyday lives. But mixed in with all that modern activity are reminders of the highway that helped make the town famous.

Sometimes you don't need a big attraction or an expensive ticket to enjoy a place. Sometimes a simple drive down Main Street is enough to make you curious about its history.

A Little Music for the Ride

We decided this drive needed some music, so we put together an original song called "Barstow Bound."

It's a foot-tapping, old-fashioned outlaw country-rock tune with a little railroad rhythm running through it. We thought that was fitting for a town with such deep railroad roots.

The song follows our drive through Barstow, touching on its history, the old highway, and the sights along the way.

We hope you'll turn up the volume, enjoy the music, and take a ride down Route 66 with us.

Every Town Has a Story

One thing Breezie and I have learned during our travels is that you don't always have to venture far off the beaten path to find something interesting.

Every town has a beginning. Every old building has seen people come and go. Every highway has carried travelers who were heading somewhere for reasons we'll probably never know.

And Route 66 has certainly carried its share of dreams.

Barstow might be a place some people hurry through on their way to somewhere else, but we enjoyed seeing a little of its history from our own front-row seat.

That's one of the things we love about traveling. You never know what might catch your attention, what you'll learn, or what you'll remember long after you've moved on down the road.

Thanks for coming along with us, friends. We hope this little ride brings a smile to your face and maybe even gets your toes tapping.

Until our next adventure, keep enjoying the simple things in life. There's a whole lot of beauty and history out there, and sometimes it's waiting right along the road you're already traveling.

Have you ever driven Route 66 through Barstow, California? We'd love to hear what you remember about it!

Finius & Breezie

Diggin' Life Together