You’ll find Amboy along Route 66 in California’s Mojave Desert, established in 1858 as a railroad town. During its heyday in the mid-20th century, this desert oasis served travelers with Roy’s Motel and Café, which still stands with its iconic 50-foot neon sign. Though Interstate 40’s completion in 1973 led to its decline, Amboy’s preserved buildings, volcanic crater, and salt flats offer glimpses into America’s golden age of highway travel.
Key Takeaways
- Amboy is a historic ghost town on Route 66 in California’s Mojave Desert, anchored by the iconic Roy’s Motel and Café.
- Once thriving with 800 residents, the town declined after Interstate 40’s completion in 1973 bypassed the community.
- Preservationist Albert Okura purchased the entire town in 2005 for $425,000 to maintain its historic character.
- The town features preserved mid-century architecture, including Roy’s famous neon sign which was relit in 2019.
- Amboy remains a popular tourist destination, offering glimpses of authentic Route 66 culture and access to Amboy Crater.
The Birth of a Desert Railroad Stop
While mineral resources initially drew miners to the area in 1858, Amboy’s true establishment came in 1883 when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad began construction through the Mojave Desert.
Lewis Kingman, a railroad engineer, named the settlement as the first in a series of alphabetical railroad sidings that would stretch across the harsh landscape.
You’ll find Amboy’s mining heritage deeply intertwined with the railroad expansion that transformed this remote outpost.
The Southern Pacific laid tracks through the Cadiz Valley in 1883-1884, establishing Amboy as an essential water stop for steam locomotives.
Father Garces created early passage routes through the region while following Native American trails in 1776.
The town quickly developed around the railroad’s needs, with water tanks dotting the landscape at every business and home.
This rail connection proved critical for shipping gold, iron, and salt from nearby Bristol Dry Lake. Today, tourists exploring Route 66 history can still witness remnants of this once-bustling railroad town.
Life Along Historic Route 66
The arrival of Route 66 in 1926 marked a new chapter in Amboy’s history, shifting its identity from a railroad stop to a vibrant desert oasis for motorists.
You’d find Roy’s Motel and Café operating 24/7, providing weary travelers with food, fuel, and rest. The town’s economic development surged as service stations, tire shops, and an 18-room motel sprang up to meet growing demand. Roy Crowl established the famous service station in 1938.
During the 1930s Dust Bowl migration, Amboy’s population swelled to 65 residents, with up to 800 people during peak periods.
The town’s prosperity continued through the post-World War II travel boom until 1973, when Interstate 40 bypassed the community. Located near the Amboy Crater, the town became a popular stop for tourists interested in exploring the nearby natural landmark.
Though Amboy’s heyday has passed, you can still spot Roy’s iconic neon sign, restored in 2019, beckoning to Route 66 enthusiasts.
Roy’s Motel and Café: A Desert Oasis
Standing proudly as an architectural gem along Route 66, Roy’s Motel and Café exemplifies Mid-Century Modern Googie design with its bold, retro-futuristic elements. The 50-foot neon sign towers above the desert landscape, beckoning travelers with its roadside relic charm. Originally opened by Roy and Velma Crowl, the establishment quickly became a desert landmark.
You’ll find this oasis at 87520 National Trails Highway, where it serves as the only fuel stop between Needles and Twentynine Palms. The site operated 24 hours daily during its peak years, serving countless travelers along America’s Mother Road.
Since 2008, preservationist Albert Okura has championed the site’s restoration, investing nearly $100,000 in refurbishing the coffee shop and gas station.
While the café kitchen remains closed due to water constraints, you can still experience the neon nostalgia at this iconic stop.
The complex continues to draw photographers, filmmakers, and Route 66 enthusiasts, standing as a symbol of America’s golden age of highway travel.
From Bustling Stop to Ghost Town
Originally settled for salt mining in the 1850s, Amboy emerged as an essential railroad stop in 1883 when Lewis Kingman established it as part of an alphabetically-named sequence of Mojave Desert transit points.
The discovery of local gold deposits in the late 1890s brought a surge of prospectors and new residents to the area. You’d find the town thriving by the mid-20th century, with Route 66 bringing steady traffic to Roy’s Motel and Café, multiple restaurants, gas stations, and a bustling population of 65 residents. Albert Okura purchased the town and began restoration efforts to preserve its historic character.
The economic impact of Interstate 40‘s completion in 1972-73 devastated Amboy’s significance. As traffic diverted 10 miles north, you’ll see how the community decline accelerated – businesses shuttered, Roy’s iconic neon sign went dark in the 1980s, and residents departed.
Natural Wonders and Surrounding Landscape
Rising 250 feet above the stark Mojave Desert floor, Amboy Crater dominates the landscape as a symmetrical volcanic cinder cone surrounded by 24 square miles of black basalt lava fields. This extinct volcano, which last erupted during the Pleistocene epoch, creates a unique microhabitat within the desert ecology of the region.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by expansive dry lake beds, salt flats, and the rugged Granite, Providence, and Bullion mountain ranges. The volcanic features have earned National Natural Landmark status, while the surrounding desert hosts resilient wildlife including Chuckwalla lizards, snakes, and desert-adapted birds. Formed approximately 79,000 years ago, this remarkable crater emerged from an ancient lake of lava.
Despite harsh conditions and minimal vegetation, hardy shrubs and cacti persist in this arid environment. The area’s stark natural beauty draws hikers, geologists, and photographers to explore its pristine wilderness. The region’s most recent volcanic activity occurred around 10,000 years ago.
Hollywood’s Desert Backdrop
Since its heyday along Route 66, Amboy has served as Hollywood’s quintessential desert backdrop, with Roy’s Motel and Café emerging as its most iconic filming location.
You’ll recognize this desert cinematography in films like “The Hitcher” (1986) and “Kalifornia” (1993), where the desolate landscape creates an atmosphere of isolation and vulnerability. The motel’s neon sign and mid-century architecture have attracted filmmakers seeking authentic Americana settings, while the surrounding Mojave Desert provides striking visuals for thrillers and horror films.
Beyond movies, you’ll spot Roy’s in music videos by Enrique Iglesias and Queens of the Stone Age, as well as commercials like Honda’s 2016 CR-V campaign.
Even celebrities like Harrison Ford and Anthony Hopkins have left their mark on this iconic film location.
Preservation Efforts and Modern Tourism
You’ll find the most significant preservation milestone in Amboy occurred in 2005 when Albert Okura purchased the ghost town for $425,000, including Roy’s Cafe and Motel, a post office, and a church building across 900 acres.
The iconic Roy’s Motel and Cafe underwent major renovations to reopen as a gas station, convenience store, and souvenir shop in 2008, while its restored motel lobby now serves as a living history display.
The town’s centerpiece, the 50-foot Roy’s sign, was restored and relit in 2019, cementing Amboy’s status as a must-see Route 66 landmark for tourists seeking authentic desert Americana.
Historical Site Restoration
The preservation of Amboy took a significant turn in 2005 when businessman Albert Okura purchased the ghost town for $425,000, following Bessie Burris’s unsuccessful public sale attempt.
You’ll find that preservation challenges have tested the town’s restoration efforts, from dealing with modern building codes to battling the harsh Mojave Desert environment.
The Okura family’s commitment to historical authenticity has guided the restoration process through three key priorities:
- Maintaining Roy’s Motel and Café’s mid-century aesthetic
- Preserving original water tanks and railroad structures
- Creating a dedicated museum showcasing Route 66 history
While infrastructure issues and limited utilities have complicated progress, Kyle Okura continues his father’s vision following Albert’s passing in 2023.
The restoration work focuses on protecting Amboy’s cultural heritage while making essential upgrades for visitor safety.
Tourist Attraction Developments
Modern tourism efforts in Amboy began taking shape after Albert Okura’s 2005 purchase, marking a new chapter in the ghost town’s story.
You’ll find tourist engagement centered around Roy’s Motel and Café, where the iconic neon sign was relit in 2019 after three decades of darkness. The site now operates as a souvenir stop while maintaining its vintage aesthetics.
The town’s appeal capitalizes on its remote desert location and authentic Route 66 atmosphere. You can explore limited commercial activities at the gas station and motel while the surrounding buildings remain preserved in their ghost town state.
Social media has amplified Amboy’s allure, with younger visitors particularly drawn to its photogenic qualities and retro ambiance. The upcoming Route 66 centennial in 2026 promises to further boost tourism interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Legal to Explore Abandoned Buildings in Amboy?
You can’t legally conduct urban exploration in Amboy’s abandoned buildings without the owner’s permission. You’ll face serious legal ramifications since it’s private property and trespassing is a criminal offense.
What Happened to the Original Residents Who Left Amboy?
You’ll find most original residents moved to nearby towns like Barstow and Needles seeking jobs, schools, and services when Route 66 traffic dwindled and the railroad’s importance declined throughout the mid-1900s.
Are There Any Documented Ghost Stories or Paranormal Activities?
You’ll find haunted legends centered around the church, school, and cemetery, with ghost sightings including unexplained footsteps, voices, and shadowy figures. Reports often focus on Roy’s Motel and children’s graves.
Can Visitors Stay Overnight in the Remaining Buildings?
You can’t stay overnight in Roy’s historic buildings – the motel rooms aren’t operational for guests. Your only overnight option is RV parking across the street through Harvest Hosts membership.
What’s the Closest Emergency Medical Facility to Amboy?
Your closest emergency medical facility is Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, about 50 miles southwest. They offer 24/7 emergency services and medical response, with trained staff ready for trauma and emergencies.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay7gHMSBZrY
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/amboy-ghost-town
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboy
- https://www.placesthatwere.com/2015/06/amboy-california-ghost-town.html
- https://www.exploratography.com/blog-66/amboy-cal-rt-66
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-09/amboy-mojave-desert-ghost-town-route-66
- https://visitamboy.com/the-history/
- https://www.route66ca.org/amboy/
- https://rt66roys.com/history/
- https://www.outoftheoffice4good.com/post/the-ghost-town-of-amboy-and-the-strangest-land-rushes-in-california-history-wonder-valley
