A journey through time is an adventure on Route 66 that is often referred to as the “Main Street of America.” Since its inception in 1926 the highway was a symbol of freedom and adventures on the open road.

Spanning over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, it has witnessed the rise and fall of countless towns that once thrived along its bustling path. But this is no mere highway. It is a stage where nearly one hundred years of the American story unfolded. And it is a portal where past and present often blend seamlessly.

Scattered all along iconic Route 66 are faded towns, and ghost towns that are rich with history and mystery. As sharing America’s story is what we do at Jim Hinckley’s America, we have spent a lot of time unraveling the story of these almost forgotten places.

They are told in Jim Hinckley’s America blog posts, and in presentations. And they are shared in my popular book, Ghost Towns of Route 66.

Today’s I would like to share a few teasers. These are four of my favorite ghost towns on Route 66.  Goldroad, Arizona, Goffs, California, Glenrio, Texas, and Amboy, California.

Goldroad, Arizona: The Desert’s Echo

Since the late 1860s prospectors and dreamers wandered these hills in search of the big strike. That came in about 1902. Jose Jerez was searching for gold in the rugged terrain of the Black Mountains on the west side of Sitgreaves Pass. And he found it in a big way.

Goldroad’s history is deeply intertwined with the gold mining boom of the late early 20th century. The discovery at the site of Goldroad, and several others in nearby Oatman, sparked the last major gold rush in Arizona history.

Founded in 1902, Goldroad quickly grew into a bustling mining town. At its peak the population was around 400 residents. As with most mining towns there were several cycles of boom and bust. .

The National Old Trails Road, Route 66 after 1926, fueled another type of boom. But gold and traffic were not enough to sustain the town.

In the 1940s the mines closed. In 1952 the highway and Goldroad was bypassed with realignment. Then the buildings were razed to avoid tax liabilities.

Today, the gold mine is again in full operation. Tailings are burying remnants of the town site.  But vestiges such as the site of Dunton’s Garage remain.

The eerie silence offers stark contrast to the once-bustling activity that defined its heyday. And the emptiness of Route 66 enhances the haunting feel of this once thriving town.

Goffs, California: A Railroad Relic

Goffs, California, located in the Mojave Desert, is another ghost town along Route 66 that offers a glimpse into the past. It has the distinction of being one of the first towns bypassed with realignment of Route 66.

Founded as a railroad town and water stop in the late 19th century, Goffs served as a crucial stop for the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway. The town’s strategic location made it a hub for transportation and commerce, with a population that swelled to several hundred residents.

The National Old Trails Road and Arrowhead Highway in the teens fueled developed of a small service industry in the teens. Then with certification of Route 66 along the National Old Trails Highway in 1926, Goffs was possessed with a new vibrancy.

During these years Goffs became a popular stop for travelers crossing the vast desert. The town featured a school, a general store, and various other amenities catering to the needs of both residents and visitors.

First came suspension of railroad activities. Then came the realignment of Route 66. And Goffs began withering on the vine.

Today, the big attraction is the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association. Housed on the grounds and in the restored Goffs Schoolhouse built in 1914 this amazing complex comes as quite a surprise for the Mojave Desert traveler.

Visitors can explore the schoolhouse, as well as a museum showcasing artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Goffs and the surrounding desert region. The carefully maintained site offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the life of a desert railroad town.

Glenrio, Texas: The Lone Star State’s Forgotten Gateway

Straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico, Glenrio was established in 1903 as a railroad town. It quickly became a bustling farming community. There was a weekly newspaper and a hotel, a post office and lumberyard, general store and other businesses that catered to the needs of travelers and residents.

Its unique position on the state line meant that it had a dual identity. Half of the town was in Texas and the other half in New Mexico. Half was located in a dry county.

In 1926, Route 66 replaced the Ozark Trails Highway, and Glenrio became a miniature boom town where some businesses never closed. The town boasted thriving restaurants, service stations, motel, and garages.

The completion of Interstate 40 in the 1970s bypassed Glenrio. Within one year the town was a mere shadow of its boom times. Today, Glenrio stands as a ghost town. Vestiges of better times remain. The haunting beauty of Glenrio lies in its quiet desolation, offering a stark contrast to the vibrant life it once knew.

Amboy, California: The Desert’s Silent Sentinel

Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Amboy, California, is perhaps one of the most iconic ghost towns along Route 66. Founded in 1858, Amboy’s early history is deeply rooted in salt mining and railroad industries.

The town’s fortunes rose and fell with the ebb and flow of these industries. Likewise with the boom times when traffic flowed in a never-ending stream on the National Old Trails Road, and then Route 66.

Amboy became a popular oasis for travelers crossing the vast desert. An internationally recognized landmark from the era of I Like Ike buttons is Roy’s Motel and Café.

Established in 1938, Roy’s offered food, gas, and lodging to weary motorists. The completion of Interstate 40 in the 1970s, and the bypass of Amboy, fueled a downward spiral that decimated the desert community within just a few months.

Today, Roy’s Motel and Café still stands in mute testament to its heyday. The neon sign at Roy’s continues to attract visitors, who come to experience a slice of Route 66 history. The abandoned buildings offer a haunting glimpse into the past. They evoke a sense of nostalgia for the golden age of American road travel.

A Journey Through Time

The ghost towns along Route 66, such as Goldroad, Goffs, Glenrio, and Amboy, offer a unique window into the past. They stand as silent sentinels of history, bearing witness to the rise and fall of communities that once thrived along the Mother Road.

Each town has its own story to tell. They are rich with history, mystery, and a haunting beauty that continues to captivate those who seek to explore the remnants of America’s forgotten past.

As you journey along Route 66, these towns provide a reminder of the impermanence of human endeavors and the enduring power of nature to reclaim what was once built. The ghost towns of Route 66 are more than just relics of the past. They are symbols of resilience, memory, and the timeless allure of the open road.

For those who venture off the beaten path to explore these ghost towns, the experience is both humbling and inspiring. It is a journey through time. And it is a poignant reminder of the ever-changing landscape of history along Route 66, and the enduring spirit of adventure that defines the American story.