Bagdad, California, San Bernardino County is an intriguing ghost town that captures the imagination with its history and desolation. Once a bustling stop along Route 66, Bagdad now stands as an evidence to the changing tides of time and transportation. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: San Bernardino County
Zip Code: Not available.
Latitude / Longitude: 34.5742° N, 115.8800° W
Elevation: Approximately 755 feet (230 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1883
Disestablished: 1991
Comments: Bagdad was established as a railroad station in the Mojave Desert, serving as a vital water stop for steam locomotives on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, later part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The town gained prominence during the heyday of Route 66, as travelers and truckers stopped by for fuel and refreshments at the local café and gas station. However, the construction of Interstate 40 bypassed Bagdad, leading to a rapid decline in visitors and the eventual abandonment of the town.
Remains: Today, little remains of Bagdad aside from scattered foundations and remnants of its once-active railway and service facilities. The area is largely barren, with the desert reclaiming much of the land. The iconic Bagdad Café, which inspired a 1987 film, is located nearby but is not part of the original town site.
Current Status: Bagdad is considered a ghost town with no permanent residents. The area is occasionally visited by Route 66 enthusiasts and historians interested in the legacy of the “Mother Road.”
Remarks: Bagdad serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of infrastructure and the impact of changing transportation routes on small communities. Its story is emblematic of many towns along Route 66 that thrived during the golden age of road travel, only to be left behind as highways evolved.
