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Since the earliest days of our country California has always been the goal of a nation on the move out west. From the California Gold Rush to the settlers following the lure of rich agricultural land it has attracted a nation. In the days of Route 66 it offered a new hope to the impoverished dust bowl immigrants of the great depression. After World War II California drew families in search of new beginnings and the American Dream. California has been the destination of many travelers, and Route 66 provided the way. California fired the imagination. It was almost a mythical place to be and Route 66 was the perfect road to celebrate the journey to the Promised Land! |
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Old Trails Arch BridgeThe original steel arch bridge: the bridge of the Grapes of Wrath days. This was the bridge that had carried the dust bowl immigrants to the promise of a new life in California. The old Trails Arch Bridge carried traffic across the river from 1916 until the newer Red Rock Bridge was opened in 1947. It was abandoned after the new bridge opened, and was converted to support a gas line across the Colorado River. It is still used for this purpose today. |
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Red
Rocks Bridge
The old 1947 Red Rocks Bridge, which once carried the Route 66 traveler across the Colorado, has long since disappeared. It was abandoned in 1966 when I-40 replaced it, and was torn down in 1976. The Red Rock Bridge was built over an old AT&SF Railway right of way because it was wider than the earlier steel arch bridge. Only concrete footings remain today to mark the spot of this once celebrated bridge across the Colorado River. |
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| At Park Moabi you can make a right turn onto National Trails Highway and proceeded to follow the old road towards the river. After passing under the railroad bridge and I-40 the old road ends at the Colorado River near the old footings from the Red Rock Bridge and the old Historic 66 Billboard. This billboard once advised travelers that they were about to enter Arizona and to "Breathe Deeply Folks." Today it advises travelers on the Interstate to turn right at the next exit for Historic Route 66 in Arizona. |
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Workman's CafeHeading back towards Park Moabi, to the left there is a clearing and driveway going up a little hill. At the top of the hill are the ruins of the Workman's Cafe. All that is left is a foundation with some sun blasted tiles curling up from the concrete slab. From the pattern of the tiles you can see where the counters and booths once stood. How many travelers must have occupied that space in another time? It is quiet on that hill now with only the wind dancing impatiently through the ruins as if waiting for the day when the desert will completely reclaim this hill as its own. |
Before Route 66 there was the Santa Fe Railroad |
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The El Garces Harvey House and Train Depot has been an important part of the history of the area. The original Needles Depot was destroyed by fire and construction of the El Garces followed shortly after in 1906. The building was completed by 1908. El Garces was named after the Spanish Padre who visited the area in 1776. Because the primary purpose of the El Garces was to serve the passengers who came through on the Santa Fe Railroad, its most ornate side faced the railroad tracks. The El Garces was one of the famous Fred Harvey establishments that were located along the railroad tracks throughout the southwest. Fred Harvey provided a touch of class for the traveling public, and the El Garces was one of the finest in his chain of hotel restaurants. | |
| The El Garces was closed as a Harvey House in 1949, and was used as offices for the Santa Fe Railroad until 1988. It was finally closed at this time and fell victim to the ravages of time and vandals. The Friends of El Garces was formed in 1993 to help save this historic train depot. Extensive renovation efforts are underway at this time but your support is needed as the total cost of restoration is estimated at $7 to $8 million dollars. The proceeds from the El Garces tours during the First Annual Route 66 Celebration in Needles went to this worthwhile project. Because of you the El Garces may live again. |
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Now you can be a part of this historic preservation
project. The Friends of El Garces Fountain Restoration are offering a chance to buy a
paving brick with your name inscribed on it! All proceeds from this worthwhile project
will go to help restore the beautiful El Garces Fountain. The cost is only $75.00 per
brick. For more information contact the Friends
of the El Garces, Inc. You can order your brick by printing the handy order form
and sending your check or money order to Friends of El Garces Fountain Restoration. Just
click the link below to order.BRICK ORDER FORM |
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Click anywhere along Route 66 on the map below to go there... |
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NAVIGATION NOTE: Buckle up and hold on to your mouse! These pages are arranged like the map above, Pacific Ocean being West Route 66 and the Colorado River East Route 66. I have set up this site as if you were traveling from EAST to WEST, much like the Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath. You can click on the Route 66 shields to "travel" the Mother Road in either direction though. Clicking West Route 66 or East Route 66 will take you to the next town or area on the map in that direction. |
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Photographs taken between January 2000 and September 2002 Courtesy Western Trails
Vintage Post Cards Courtesy PostCards From the Road
(c) 2003 GRandallWebDesign 
