As a person who is really interested in the history of Route 66, I really appreciate your taking the time to put this together. Thank you.

@tatianamorris8431

3 жыл бұрын

Hahahahaha

Stayed at the Route 66 Motel in October of 2018 -- our final night on the Mother Road before completing the trip. Thanks for the memories of Barstow.

Many years ago when my late father worked at JPL in Pasadena. He knew this guy who also worked at JPL who during the week lived in the Pasadena area and on the weekends would go to his family who lived in Barstow and on one weekend invited my whole family to his Barstow home. On Saturday the ladies went to the Calico Ghost Town and us guys went to the Calico Archeological dig and this was very interesting. We went in the fall so it wasn't the usual 100 degrees. It was quite pleasant. Days were windy but, cool. Nights were very cold. My father's friend drove us to and from L.A. I enjoyed the time I spent there. The drive especially in the fall is very pleasant. My recommendation is never go through the desert in the summer as the heat is brutal. If you have the time, go in the fall around November-December. You will enjoy yourself much more.

I like how you create your videos to be a sort of "living Postcards" a video but with photos.

Grew up in Barstow. Moved to to Oregon three years ago. Watching this makes me miss that Old town. Wanting to go back!!

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

It may not look as it did, but some charm from yester-years can still be found.

Thanks for you’re video. I really like the way it seems nostalgic like it was made in the 60’s

I had an Uncle and Aunt in Fullerton CA. We would drive down the Lincoln Highway from Rawlins down to Salt Lake City, down through Barstow. I was too young to remember driving 92, I to Barstow and then old route 66. Thank you.

@ScribblyPoppo

4 жыл бұрын

What year? We live next to Fullerton.

Even though it's a bit off 66 on the 58 I was surprised that the Idle Spurs restaraunt wasn't mentioned. It was a big part of Barstow for many decades.

@jsinmcc92

11 ай бұрын

I’m pretty sure it closed down

Thanks, that was fun!

I just love the “Mother Road”. And love these trips too.

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the tour. Thanks for commenting.

I remember the movie theater and video games downtown. I miss Straw Hat and how the old mall used to be. Some of the best chicken served was at Del Chicken next to Naugles. (I hope I got the spelling right on both restaurants.)

Enjoyed your video very much. I used to dispatch the BNSF Railway line thru there between Needles and Barstow Ca. Made a road trip thru there with one of the train crews many years ago. And before all that worked at the Seligman Depot as a train order clerk. Sure enjoyed Angels shaves and haircuts at his barber shop.

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for commenting. What year did you dispatch in Barstow? My cousin worked at the Santa Fe yards from the 1960s until 2010.

@NMjack2000

4 жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest1 Years ago there was a dispatcher office in Winslow Az and each Division usually had a dispatchers office. So worked in Winslow, Albuquerque NM, Fort Worth Tx, Schaumburg, Il and Spring Tx.. We had to do Road Trips over our territory every few years to stay familiar with the territory. When I was in Barstow did a week of road trips then took Amtrak back to Chicago. It was around 1995 when I did the Barstow Subdivision Road Trip. You are very good about the info you post on here as the info is correct in your stories. I just seen a web site www.trainweb.org/qcrails/bnsfbarstow.html and this site is full of errors. Strange as the format and page looked good. Much of the text has many errors. Take Good Care.

@earlc8440

2 жыл бұрын

That's the same job my dad did in the 60s and 70s William Carroll

Thank you, happy memories of living here in the 70’s

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the positive comment on Barstow. Although it isn't an absolute gem, for me, Barstow too was/is the place of many great memories from the '80s on.

@emorywright6597

2 жыл бұрын

90d

stationed in Barstow at the Marine Base for 18 months 1965 to 1967, enjoyed the town , also was a member of the SBSD Desert rescue Squad and mine rescue team for 6 year.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

You saw Barstow in its better days no doubt. Thanks for commenting.

I love your guys stuff. The narrations are always perfect. This one was particularly interesting, as there was allot to see. Gord

I drove thru there last January, it was cool little town.... I'm from Philly so it was great, 71 degree I January.... :)

I really enjoyed hanging out in Barstow last July when it was 110 degrees

I kind of miss living in Barstow.... Lived there from 14' to 18'.

Many thanks. New respect for Barstow.

This is as good as taking a personally guided bus tour, but done from the comfort of my home. I'd like to spend a week there and just stay in as many of the old hotels. This video can't be topped. And the whole thing is broken into bite-sized chunks so you can view as many or as few as you wish at one sitting. Thank you so much.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, glad you took it that way! So many people comment on how they don't like Barstow. To me, there's great history there and in so many other towns are are deemed "run down". Thanks for commenting.

@alanschwartz1157

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest11 I just "head trip" thinking of what it was in its heyday. I live "close" to Barstow, but not close enough to make it a day trip. My cats have never learned to take road trips. I really like doing the touristy kind of stuff i.e..: tours, hitting museums, gift shops, visitor welcome centers and such. Your videos give me a chance to view things that I've wanted to see, but haven't due to circumstances. I've got a friend who is now alone and he picks a destination, jumps in his RV and away he goes. We both like doing the America by Backroad things. He posts quite a bit on Facebook. he was just in Branson for a week. I have no idea where he is right now. Somewhere. Out there......

This is my home town. Great video! I actually learned a couple of things that I didn't know 👍

@jimjustice581

Жыл бұрын

How is the crime rate? Any drug problems? Typical crime there. - Thanks

@redlilly4016

Жыл бұрын

@@jimjustice581 I think the crime and drug issues are maybe the same as anywhere else these days. I do personally feel that the drug issues are much higher than I remember them being when I was younger, but then again maybe I didn’t pay attention to it much back them. Now I’m a mother. I see things differently. We definitely do have a lot more homelessness going on. It’s sad to see It’s a small town and not a whole lot to do… Crime rate is typical I think The schools are getting worse especially the junior high and high school. I think the world in general is just getting uglier… With that being said, I prefer the small town feel, the traffic around town is light, I live very simple and to myself, which in my opinion is safe. There are many good people, few good activities that Barstow does for the community

If you’re stopping in Barstow to eat, don’t bother with McDonalds. Go to the original Del Taco on 1st Street, just off Main St., before the iron bridge. Food is good, large portions.

@thobbs4526

4 жыл бұрын

Not talking about Yermo, no one cares.

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

People interested in history do care. It's discussed all the time. Nevertheless, thanks for bringing this up, because Del Taco is truly something Barstow can be proud of next to (equal to) Barstow Station (McDonald's).

@thobbs4526

4 жыл бұрын

BackRoadsWest1, no one cares about the Yermo Del Taco, it is an old, empty building that closed in the 1960’s, maybe even has been torn down. The 1st Del Taco in Barstow is open, doing business, serving food, and, last I heard, still owned by the original family that started Del Taco before franchising it. There is nothing “historical” about the McDonald’s. It was built in the 1970’s as a tourist attraction. The renovated Harvey House train station down by the train tracks and the Mojave River (again over by the 1st St. bridge) would be considered a historical building. Th El Rancho Motel could be of historical interest, as it was built from railroad ties and at one time had an adjacent restaurant, but it was mostly occupied by meth-heads and burned down. Maybe it’s been rebuilt. Truly historical places, like the Beacon Hotel, were torn down long ago (look it up); also the big Standard Oil gas station/garage, at First & Main, where there is now a tacky donut store. The latter building had a real Deco look to it...gone. Maybe you have to have lived in the area or at least spent a lot of time there, to realize what is truly historical. Most of the original, old buildings in downtown Barstow (around 1st and Main) have been burned down, torn down, boarded up. The old stone houses on B Hill were torn down. Barstow is a tired, old town that lost most of its jobs & industry when the army & Marine bases scaled back their need for civilian employees, Santa Fe became BNSF, and Yellow Freight left. If it’s trying to capitalize on the “Route 66” trend, good on ‘em. That town needs all the help it can get. For a refresher course on Barstow & environs, watch the late Huell Howser’s program, I believe it’s on You Tube

@Neildo430ci

4 жыл бұрын

@@thobbs4526 they don't sell the Barstow Taco in "Yurinal"

@isabellancali5388

4 жыл бұрын

...and cheaper vs most fast food places.

Stopped at Barstow Station many times going back and forth between So. CA and Las Vegas back in the 1980's. Looks like it has grown a lot since then.

Really enjoyable videos !!!!

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I stopped in that McDonalds a few years back while traveling out west. The railroad cars did not improve the taste of a quarter pounder with cheese! Interestingly, several McDonalds claim to be the busiest. There was one at a service plaza on the Connecticut Turnpike! Who knows. Anyway, another great video.

Beautiful channel ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Very will done, great video.

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I love Barstow.

@WalkHard1

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah a lot of tourists do it's a whole different world if you actually live there

Great video!

Barstow was named after William Barstow Strong, a employee of the AT&SF engineering department.

Amazing video, thank you

@BackRoadsWest1

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Thanks for commenting!

excellent video

@BackRoadsWest1

4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

In 1973, I was 17 and went cross country from NYC to LA with a friend in a VW bus home modeled into a camper. We broke down near Amboy, got a temporary fix there, and was told to get the part that we needed in Barstow, where it was replaced. I wish that I could recall the name of the repair shop that helped us out in Barstow. I recall walking around town for an hour or two while the mechanic repaired the problem. One other thing, I am pretty sure that I was one of the first to stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. I loved that Eagles album and made sure that we stopped for gas in Winslow. I had my friend take my photo. But, that photo is probably long, long gone...

I worked at the Nebo Marine Base, along with one of the Castro brothers, at the largest Marine Corp Logistical Supply Center west of the Mississippi. 67-68, we were shipping every thing you can think of, to McChord Air Base in Washing to Vietnam. It was called "Red Balling" a term from WW2. It was a big red circle and it was top priority, it received the front place on the shipping lines or on the truck docks. In some cases it was trucked to the Dagger Airport and flown in a smaller plane to McChord AFB. Great friends, great people, great times.

The Fosters Freeze removed that unique way, it's now an ordinary drive through

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Oh, that's too bad! It was definitely an attraction. Well, at least I've captured video of it in use.

@LavvyStarlight

4 жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest1 there's a few inconsistencies. But I'm not gonna berate your video. It captures what Barstow WAS. Barstow is a place I grew up in and see a lot changing. That's one thing that breaks my heart about it's classic history. The more you look back the more you see has changed

@KutWrite

4 жыл бұрын

It would've come in handy during this phony COVID scare.

Best part about Barstow is that we're half way between LA and Vegas. It's quick to leave here... =P

just drove route 66 across country east to west! Pic in Ava is of Americanna inn where I stayed one night.

No love for Rosita's Restaurant at the 'top of the hill'??? They've been serving the community/travelers for nearly 70 years, and has a handful of Route 66 murals facing the highway.

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Many places along this stretch of the old road deserve their own tour video, especially all the wonderfully restored hotels. I don't know much about Rosita's, other than eating their once or twice, but a video could be created if I had more info. Are you related to the owners? Maybe another video tour of the various eateries along the road.

@mssdn8976

3 жыл бұрын

Great food and great margaritas, was our go to place when we lived in Barstow

Stayed at the Route 66, would do it again. No point staying in the branded chain hotels. Huge price difference.

Which would be the cleanest or the safest Motel to stay in Barstow, We will be passing thru there in a few weeks. Thank you.

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

I haven't been there in 2 years, so I wouldn't know the latest conditions. I'd check reviews on Google or TripAdvisor. However, everyone I've talked to have always liked the Route 66 Motel at 195 Main St.

Very cool video. What software did you use to produce this please

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I use a combination of software, but the bulk of the work is done in Proshow Producer from Photodex.

I was assigned to Fort Irwin 1985 to 1988, lived in Yermo, and never knew the Bun Boy was there (probably through lack of free time and seldom going to the north end of Barstow other than in passing infrequently on the way to Edwards AFB. Rosita's was a very nice place with excellent table service and food. It had a dance floor. The other top Mex food place was Carlos & Toto's, on the opposite side of the road. Is the old town movie theater still there? I couldn't recognize it in passing through this video. There was also a Woolworth's (!) still operating, located about in the center of those "old town" buildings that you showed in the key downtown area. The town museum, off the Route I know, had one of the largest intact meteorites you might ever see. Yermo had the original Del Taco building, still operating though under some other name, and also had the International Cafe, run by several Hong Kong Chinese families who lived nearby, which was an excellent interstate stop for food and drinks (or even parties). The old Barstow Mall had a coin shop inside where you could buy and sell silver and gold.

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting. Things have changed, as they do in every old town. Mmmmm, Carlos & Totos, that brings back memories. They closed in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, Rosita's closed during COVID and hasn't reopened (so I've been told - I live in Utah). The Village Cafe, which shows in the video, is still open and always has great Chinese food. Ate there several times over the past 10 years. The Barstow Mall is now a series of County and professional offices.

@davidb2206

Жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest1 If you ever get a chance to do a much longer version and talk to several of the "old timers" who remember and can point out these places (or where they were), it would be greatly appreciated, for the record, and I would view it, too. What's in the Carlos & Toto's building now? It's really a shame about that mall. I think it had a KMart?! More and more government is a BAD idea, anywhere.

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

@@davidb2206 - I probably won't as I don't get down there that much anymore. The County offices were badly needed as SB County is huge and there wasn't much representation up there. Now there is.

I lived in Barstow for six months back when I was 11. I thought it was amazing because it was a big change moving there from Louisiana. I had never seen desert before. I probably wouldn't like it as much today...

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, big difference! Louisiana is a great State for a road trip, especially after being in a desert for so long!! Thanks for commenting.

I live there 😃

@lorihaberstroh9598

3 жыл бұрын

Yep Tristan I live in Yermo,,,, so it's my town lol.

Are these places still open ? What about the Harvey House Museum?

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Currently, I don't know. It would be best to contact City of Barstow Chamber of Commerce.

It was a nice town until drugs took over. Most of the motels on Main Street are “rent by the month”.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Keep in mind that it is no different than other similar towns in California. Every town, including Barstow, is trying to do its best at keeping a good image.

@rockyracoon3233

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest1 . True.

Lat time I went to Barstow for a Wedding, I stayed at a" better" motel, got up to shower and the water was ice cold, and they could do nothing to fix it. yikes. yes in the winter time.

El Rancho burned on July 5th 2022

@BackRoadsWest1

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, it sure did

Barstow Must of been a nice drive down This part of The Mother Road back in day (1950-60) Motels are beautiful but sad that the people that LIVE THERE make it NOT so nice. Everytime we drive through we could see ALOT of drugs going on there. We stayed the night at the Route 66 Motel with the mural on the sidewalk wall, I dont have no complaints about that. Owner was very nice and friendly place is well taken care of for us to enjoy. Once we walked to go see the mural my daughter almost stepped on a surange with needle still on it. And same morning when walking into Denny's some homeless was shooting up right by the door. I LOVE ROUTE 66, but makes me sad to see such a historic place like that. Railroad Station and Museum are GREAT!!!!

@BackRoadsWest1

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately Barstow gets the affect of being within ~150 miles from 22 million people. It wasn't like that 40+ years ago. With that comes all the things you saw. It was also a lot worse and thanks to the City and property owners for making it look much better than 10-20 years ago. The great thing though, is all the history in Barstow that is there to see, minus a few things like the Bun Boy Restaurant.

@avega2792

4 жыл бұрын

That’s what’s happened over much of the US. I drove from Chicago to LA on I40 and some parts rt 66 last year and almost everywhere we stopped along the way was sketchy to say the least.

@WalkHard1

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely true tourist like it but if you actually live there it's a whole different world so sad. I've never lived there but I do know some people that are decent that live there so I've actually spent a lot of time there it's sad

@davidb2206

Жыл бұрын

I HATE self-indulgent, narcissistic drug users ("me, me, me") and what they've done to this country. Hope they all o.d. on Biden's Cartel fentanyl and the sooner the better.

the old yellow freight yard was there where the goverment building are now i think.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Nope. The Yellow Freight facility is near the Lenwood. Check this video out I made 10 years ago: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f5poqrivj7bIY5c.html

yeah, route 66 runs right through the marine base....so unless you can get on to the base, you're gonna have to use the freeway for a stint to get around it.

@BackRoadsWest1

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that portion of 66 has been closed since 09/11/2001 for security concerns. I know someone that is working with the Marines to hopefully re-open that segment.

Bun Boy is gone?!? I need to get out more........

@CheyenneDepp1

3 жыл бұрын

yup): my grandparents used to go there every morning. was a sad day when they tore it down. they made a new building there and now it’s a bunch of dr’s offices ):

As a big fan of railroads, I can't wait to visit the McDonalds and the Harvey House.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting. I'm sure you saw our tour of the Harvey House: kzread.info/dash/bejne/nqui2pdtn6y3dag.html

From Holloween until Easter you should be OK...to think folks used to live here at one time with no airconditioning in the summer ???😮

what about old barstow road to Lucerne Valley??

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

You mean Hwy 247? The road that passes Slash X? That would be another video...

We stayed the night at the Route 66 Motel (4:45) April 6, '19 on our way back to Sacramento with a car I'd just bought in Vegas. The next morning, the battery was junk and the car wouldn't start, so we were stuck there for most of the day with a mechanic having to replace the battery in the pkg lot. Manager wasn't too thrilled with us.

@DJV94022

4 жыл бұрын

Took 1 day to change out a car battery? That was no mechanic 😂

@avega2792

4 жыл бұрын

Takes all of 5 minutes to change a battery, and that’s including a coffee break.

@ApartmentKing66

5 ай бұрын

@@DJV94022 Ever change a battery in a Pontiac Solstice? Doesn't sound like it.

I believe the El Rancho sadly burned down last year

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

Yes it did. Sadly, one more historic landmark is gone.

Let's here it for Lola's Mmmmmmmm delish!!!😁😁😁👍

Baker is more empty than Barstow

X cell ent

There is a big difference between Hotels and Motels.

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

Let me take a stab at the definition: Hotels are places to stay where access to the rooms are through hallways. The word "motel" comes from the term "motor hotel", which is a hotel where access to the rooms are from the outdoors (no hallway) so that you can easily access your motor vehicle. Most of the "places to stay" in Barstow are motels, yet some people call them hotels. How does that sound?

How can you pass through Barstow without mentioning the Harvey House and the Route 66 Museum??!!

@BackRoadsWest1

3 жыл бұрын

The tour does go to the Harvey House at 6:20 in the video. See our separate video tour at kzread.info/dash/bejne/g4Bkt6mwgNnbnc4.html that I actually did for the City of Barstow.

TOO much BS about the rail road. What about the old Husky Truck Stop????

@BackRoadsWest1

Жыл бұрын

The railroad made Barstow and that ain't no BS. Not many people have heard of the Husky Truck Stop. Why don't you make a video on it?

He left out gangs drugs violence theft homelessness the town is dead. I spent 92to98.. its not whatever it was in 60 70 80s its not somewhere u want to live

@BackRoadsWest1

2 жыл бұрын

Isn't most of of Southern California like that? You can't stay indoors like there's a pandemic or criminals out there and not enjoy life outdoors.

@2cautious

2 жыл бұрын

@@BackRoadsWest1 exactly people act like hiding is going do anything when most cities got crime