The National Old Trails Highway to Victorville, California

CALIFORNIA LEGENDS

Old Trails Highway to Victorville

Along the National Old Trails Highway, old Route 66 continues on for some thirty miles from Barstow, California until you reach Victorville. Along this slate-colored stretch, you will pass through the small towns of Lenwood, Helendale and Oro Grande. There was once another little town called Hodge between Lenwood and Helendale, but today, nothing is left of this one time supply center. You’ll know you’re nearing Los Angeles by the gang-style tattooed graffiti upon the remnants of buildings, testifying to better times along this old stretch of the road.

As you leave Barstow on west Main Street, you'll hardly notice as you enter Lenwood, as buildings continue to dot the road.

A stretch of the National Old Trails Highway

A stretch of the National Old Trails Highway,

courtesy Historic Route 66

About 18 miles further down the road you'll see a sign that says you've reached Helendale; however, you'll look around wondering where it is. Unfortunately, Helendale is really not a town any more, just a smattering of buildings spread among the sagebrush of the desert. Here you can see the remains of the old Burden’s Store and Post Office, which once served as the center of activity in this small community. A side trip also presents itself here – the Exotic World Museum, a tribute to the burlesque era popular from the 1920s to the 1950s.

As you continue south, look for the old Potapov Service Station and Auto Court, an old stone station built in 1943 that now stands in ruins.

Soon, you will come to Oro Grande, a town built on the dreams of early prospectors. Gold never panned out in this old town, but limestone soon became its economic base. Supported today by large Cement Company, there are several old Route 66 buildings here including the Iron Hog Saloon and the abandoned Mohawk Mini-Mart. You’ll also find the largest antique mall in the high desert here – the Antique Station, as well as an old cemetery that dates back to the early days of the miners.

The ruins of the the Potapov Service Station and Auto

Court, photo courtesy Ray's Web Server.

Continuing on the old road, you will cross the Mojave River on a 1930s steel truss bridge as you enter Victorville. Beginning in the mid 1880s, this town was first known as Victor, named for Jacob Nash Victor, a construction superintendent for the California Southern Railroad. An abundance of good water and rich bottom lands soon attracted agricultural development. In 1901 the post office changed the town’s name to Victorville in order to not confuse it with Victor, Colorado. It was about this time that rich deposits of limestone and granite were discovered in the area, which soon led to the cement manufacturing industry, which remains the largest economic focus of the town.

When Route 66 was established through town, numerous business sprang up to serve the hungry and thirsty travelers of the old road. It was during the popular days of the Mother Road, that Hollywood filmed several old western movies in the Victorville area.

Today this quickly growing town of some 65,000, still provides vintage looks at its past, at the New Corral Motel at 14643 7^th Street, the Best Western Green Tree Inn at 14173 Green Tree Boulevard, and the California Route 66 Museum, housed in the home of the old Red Rooster Café. The California Route 66 Museum established in 1995 maintains a large collection of photographs and artifacts of the history of Route 66. Operating on donations only, the museum is located at 16825 D Street.

steel truss bridge before entering Victorville, California

The steel truss bridge before entering Victorville, California . Photo courtesy County of San Bernardino.

Today, Victorville serves as a great get-a-way from the nearby crossed cities, providing area activities including boating, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

After touring Victorville, the Route 66 traveler will rejoin I-15 to travel to the Cajon Pass and San Bernardino.

Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, © February, 2005

Route 66 through Victorville, California in 1935,

vintage postcard.

The New Corral Motel in Victorville, California

still welcomes Mother Road Travelers Today.

Photograph by Emily Priddy.

To San Bernardino

Return to Route 66

To Barstow

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Four 66 Tin Signs - Set of four Old Route 66 weathered style signs. Measuring 10"x16", made of heavy gauge metal, signs have rolled edges for safe handling. Includes: Main Street USA - Chicago to L.A., Eat here and get gas - Alice's Eatery & Service Station, America's Highway, and U.S. Route 66.