
A Route 66 ghost town was ‘frozen in time'. Is it on the brink of a comeback?
It was a Friday morning in June, sand swirling outside across the cracked street and towards the Bagdad Cafe's front door. In the same parking lot, a 1950s-era sign advertised a motel that no longer exists. In the distance, only a few surviving businesses remained: a small community center, a veterans organization and a long-standing roadhouse bar popular with locals. A few miles to the north, an entire neighborhood was abandoned in the 1990s after mounds of blowing sand swallowed it whole; today, only rooftops and chimneys peek out from the towering sand dunes.
Despite the general ghost town-like atmosphere, the cafe's early-morning visitors were giddy.
Neilson Lopes, a tourist from Brazil, happily perused a rack of neon T-shirts and snapped photos of the dimly lit cafe. He and his wife had flown and driven, on the back of a motorcycle, thousands of miles to be there, in the middle of nowhere.
'I've planned this trip for 10 years,' he said. 'For decades, maybe.'
Because while this Mojave Desert outpost – a tiny settlement of 2,000-some people called Newberry Springs– may look deserted to the uninitiated, it's positioned on one of the most famous roads in the world: Route 66. The roughly 2,400-mile (3,900km) route stretches from the California coast to Chicago, connecting both small towns and sprawling metropolises across the country. For many, the road embodies a sense of quintessential Americana, from its quirky roadside kitsch to its historic roots.
And next year, Route 66 is turning 100 years old. Nationwide preparations for the big anniversary have been underway for years: caravans of people are planning to drive the entirety of the route, and Congress even created a Route 66 Centennial Commission in 2020 to commemorate the milestone.
In small towns such as Newberry Springs, and an even tinier neighboring community 10 miles west called Daggett, residents are hoping the anniversary will bring in a flood of extra visitors. The Bagdad Cafe, where the 1980s cult classic film by the same name was shot, currently sees about 6,000 tourists each month. Locals anticipate that those numbers will double in 2026 – and they're planning other ways to capitalize on the centennial, too.
'We're a teeny, weeny, little slice of Route 66,' said Renee Kaminski, a co-owner of Newberry Spring's historic bar.
'But we're a mighty one.'
Out in remote Newberry Springs, an unincorporated community that lacks an official mayor or city council, a handful of residents have instead informally banded together to start sharing ideas for Route 66's centennial.
One of them, Karla Claus, has become a de facto ambassador for the town.
Wearing a Route 66 crown atop an American flag cowboy hat, unbothered in a pair of jeans even as the thermostat topped 100F (38C), she described her grand plans for the centennial one recent summer afternoon.
This anniversary, she said, is a chance for Newberry Springs to be reborn.
'My vision is that we're going to be one of the go-to destinations for those caravans [of Route 66 fans],' she said. 'That we're saying to those people: 'Make sure you come here.''
To make that vision a reality, Claus, who is also the vice-president of the local chamber of commerce, recently received a micro-grant to start leading custom, history-focused Route 66 tours.
And there's a lot of history to be shared.
In 1926, as millions of Americans were buying their first car and taking to the open road, Route 66 was created as part of the nation's first federal highway system. Car ownership had newly exploded; the Model T had only been introduced about two decades prior.
The route was famously dubbed 'Mother Road' by John Steinbeck in his classic 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. At the time, before the route became better known for its flashing neon signs, old-school diners and eccentric roadside attractions, the road was a migration route for climate refugees fleeing the Dust Bowl. Hit hard by severe drought, dust storms and the Great Depression, hundreds of thousands of people funneled out of the Great Plains via the now-celebrated route and headed west.
In Newberry Springs, Route 66 brought about a kind of heyday in the 1950s. Because of the constant flow of traffic, its main street was bustling: there were more businesses, a couple hotels and a popular rest stop with an expansive swimming pool.
But when interstate I-40 came along in the 1970s, it spelled disaster for Newberry. The newer, faster freeway was laid parallel to that stretch of Route 66, meaning that drivers would now fly right by the small town without ever noticing it.
The development was a death knell for other tiny towns across the state – and throughout the country. The animated movie Cars even spotlighted the issue by creating the fictional Radiator Springs: a forgotten town on Route 66 that withered away after it was bypassed by the interstate.
Rose Beardshear, the chamber of commerce's treasurer, said the film is bringing the plight of Route 66 to life for the younger generation. Beardshear was driving through the nearby town of Daggett with her granddaughter when the nine-year-old suddenly said: 'This is like the movie with the cars.'
But the boom-and-bust cycle for Newberry didn't end with the interstate.
The indie film Bagdad Cafe, about a dilapidated desert cafe and a stranded German tourist who finds an unexpected community there, brought waves of international tourists to Newberry; the movie was a massive hit in France and Germany. When the pandemic halted tourism, especially from other countries, the real-life Bagdad Cafe shuttered. It only reopened again recently (without serving food), after the owner started a GoFundMe to make necessary repairs on the building.
Part of Newberry's appeal for visitors now is that it feels removed from the 21st century; the town looks 'frozen in time', Claus said. Still, there are lots of improvements to be made before the centennial.
Beardshear, for one, is hoping to transform a short stretch of the route into a 'musical highway'. If all goes according to plan with the county, grooves or markers would be added to the side of the road, creating vibrations that sound like a song when drivers pass over them.
Kaminski, the owner of the town's bar called The Barn, has plans to host monthly themed events in 2026, including car shows and live music, and to create a campground of vintage trailers for tourists who are passing through. The Barn is also a landmark in itself; it first opened in 1952 and is reportedly one of the oldest continually licensed bars on Route 66 in California.
'I think Newberry really illustrates that whole mantra of 'Mother Road',' Kaminski said. 'We will take you in and make sure you're safe on Route 66.'
West of Newberry lies Daggett, the minuscule village that Beardshear's granddaughter thought could be the set of Cars. Daggett has another claim to fame for a different generation: Steinbeck briefly mentioned it in The Grapes of Wrath.
Today, at first glance the community looks neglected. Only a few hundred people live in the area, and crumbling or forgotten homes abound. But one man named Daryl Schendel, who owns an auto repair shop in nearby Barstow and spends his nights and weekends on historical preservation projects, sees far beyond that.
'It may look junky when you go through it, like a little has-been town,' he said recently, driving through its small collection of streets. 'But people don't realize the history that was here.'
The town itself is like a living museum: there's a blacksmith shop that dates back to the 1890s on one corner, another pioneer-era hotel still standing a block away. For years, Schendel and others have collected thousands of historical artifacts related to Daggett, from old journals to glass bottles to the actual clothes that nearby miners wore in the 19th century.
Much of that history has been out of public view as Schendel and a small team work together to organize everything. But the Route 66 centennial has motivated him to move faster on at least one project: reopening a historic welcome center for the anniversary caravans passing by Daggett, where some of the artifacts he has stockpiled will be on display like a museum exhibit. Schendel received a Route 66-themed grant from the National Park Service last year to help make the project happen.
'I'm imagining this being a major new thing happening on Route 66,' he said. 'And it'll open up so many doors to the history of the area.'
Both Schendel and the women from Newberry want their towns to become more of a destination for Route 66 fans – but they also don't want things to change too much.
Visiting somewhere that feels completely off the grid, they say, is part of the charm.
'I can't imagine anyone wanting Newberry to change into some city,' Beardshear said. 'We want to maintain our rural character.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The new £17 tax tourists will have to pay to visit popular Greek islands
Travellers heading on a trip to a Greek island this summer may find themselves hit with an unexpected expense. Greece 's new 'sustainable tourism fee' has now been introduced to cruise passengers from July 21. Between June 1 and September 30, tourists disembarking a ship at Mykonos and Santorini will have to pay €20 each, equivalent to £17.35. The fee decreases in October and between April 1 and May 31, during the shoulder season, to €12 (£10.41). Between November 1 to March 31, the charge lowers to €4. Charges also apply to other ports on Greek islands and travellers will be charged €5 (£4.34) during the summer months. While in the winter, cruise tourists will be hit with a €1 (87p) charge, and in shoulder season €3 (£2.60). The new fee will be charged per passenger and will apply for each port they disembark at. It will be down to the cruise company to declare and pay the charge on a quarterly basis. Will Sarson, a cruise expert at Riviera Travel, urged people to check what costs are included in their cruise bookings. He said: 'Preparation and conducting checks are key to preventing unexpected charges. 'Being charged for unprecedented costs can leave you short of spending money, restricting your ability to make the most of your trip. 'Tourist tax and port fees are among the costs that could catch you out, so it's crucial to be aware of these fees when going on a cruise. 'While these fees may have been included in the cruise fare, thoroughly review the cruise line's terms and conditions to be aware of what costs are included. 'If you're still uncertain, contact the cruise line for confirmation. Being aware of what fees have been paid will give you a clearer picture of your finances for the holiday.' The new charges have been put in place to help tackle over crowding caused by tourism. Mykonos is expecting to host 900 cruise ships this season with tourist arrivals expected to reach 1.5 million. While footage from Santorini showed thousands of selfie-hunting holidaymakers have packed the narrow streets in a desperate bid to capture sunset views adored by influencers. However, the tax hasn't been welcomed by the port authorities in Mykonos. Speaking to Greek Reporter, Athanasios Kousathanas-Megas, the president of the Mykonos Port Fund, said that the tax was a 'curse' for the island's economy. He said: 'I believe that the price difference will create problems in choosing a cruise ship from 2026.'


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
American Airlines forecasts bigger Q3 loss as sluggish demand hits fares
July 24 (Reuters) - American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab forecast a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss on Thursday, as sluggish domestic travel demand result in more unsold seats and an erosion in fares. Shares of the carrier fell nearly 3% in premarket trading. Most U.S. airlines withdrew their financial forecasts in April due to uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs and budget cuts. Demand in the domestic travel market has remained subdued with budget travelers approaching their plans with caution. American, which had enhanced its focus on the U.S. domestic market, sees itself more exposed to the trend. Summer, typically the peak money-making season for airlines, is falling short this year as sluggish demand for standard economy seats forces carriers to cut fares, undermining their pricing power. Industry executives and analysts have guided toward a stability in demand and the overall travel environment. American expects adjusted loss per share in the third quarter in the range of 10 cents to 60 cents, compared with analysts' estimates of 7 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. The U.S. carrier reported a net income of $599 million, or 91 cents per share for quarter ended June 30, compared with $717 million, or $1.01 per share, a year earlier. Its total operating revenue marginally rose to about $14.4 billion.


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I paid £136 to stay at a one-star hotel with awful reviews - this is what it's like inside
A British tourist has shared how he checked into a one-star hotel with less than favourable reviews and scant facilities, including zero tea or coffee - and paid £136 for the pleasure. Simon Wilson, who regularly documents his travels on social media, shared a reel from his stay at the 80-room one-star hotel that's in a plum spot in one of America's most popular tourist destinations. Holidaymakers in South Beach in Miami, Florida can usually expect to pay from around $400 (around £295) during high season for a room in the cool coastal district, so bagging a stay for less than £150 a night might be considered a relative bargain. Sharing on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, Wilson checked in without an advance booking at the unnamed hotel but found just 9 out of the 80 hotel rooms occupied. Chatting to the receptionist, a Brazilian named Celso, he asks about what's on offer for his £136 - and why the hotel has had such bad reviews. The hotel worker responds with a simple shrug. 'Is there a swimming pool, or a sauna?' Wilson enquires in the video, only to be told there isn't even a breakfast service or anywhere to grab a coffee. Given a room on the first floor, Wilson takes viewers around his place for the night, and finds while the hotel is facility free, it's not nearly as bad as he feared. Pushing through the door, he says: 'There's a lovely dining table, cabinet, a remote for the telly.' He then inspects the bathroom, which he describes as looking 'fairly clean', highlighting clean towels and plenty of soap. Is a decent night's sleep on the horizon? Wilson inspects the pillows and sheets on the bed and deems them immaculate. The pleasantly surprised tourist says of his stay: 'It seems like we might just have got a bargain in South Beach, Miami'. Others watching his video though were shocked at the cost of the room, with one responding: '$200 for a night? That's what people pay per months in some parts of the world. Hotel or not, that's insane.' Another adds: 'So, they charge you almost $200 and you can't get anything at the hotel other than a bed and bathroom. Can see why it's 1 star.' One local resident reacted differently though, saying: 'Y'all complaining about the price, but it's expensive in Miami. If you're in South Beach, that's about what it's going to cost.' Hotel star rating systems are widely recognised as the definitive way to ascertain a hotel's overall quality, but the rankings can differ wildly from one country to another. Each country usually has its own way to rank hotels from one to five stars, established by a range of authorities, from tourism bodies to government agencies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Simon Wilson (@simonjwils) What does £136 buy you in a Miami obvious facilities but a decent room, says the Brit abroad In the US, there are a number of competing systems, from the American Automobile Association to local councils. A one-star hotel generally means there are only basic room options available. In the UK, for example, five letting bedrooms must be available to qualify. The hotel must also be open seven days per week during its operating season and staff must be available during the day to receive and check-in guests. Occasionally, bathroom facilities will be shared and there will likely not be any sort of restaurant or bar on-site. However, there will usually be vending machines. But are there any expectations that hold universally across three, four or five star hotels? Generally, several criteria can be agreed upon across borders. In the UK, star ratings place a heavy emphasis on customer service, whereas in France, the ratings focus more on rooms, lobbies and amenities and are enforced by the French Government. Four groups combined in 2007 to create a unified ranking system for Great Britain: the Automobile Association, VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales. Hotels in Spain, on the other hand, are ranked regionally instead of nationally, while Italian accommodations emphasize cleanliness in their system, which was established in 2009. In Turkey and Portugal, properties are inspected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, respectively.