"Barstow~Harvey House, Route 66 & Trains" Top 5 Page for this destination Barstow by Yaqui

Barstow Travel Guide: 71 reviews and 186 photos

Wave at the trains, they waved back...yay!

Since I could drive, Barstow was a much needed to stop on the way to Vegas. Back then traffic was not bad at all if anything it was very few vehicles that ventured the 58 or 395 to get to Interstate 15. Now days, it’s practically bumper to bumper going to and from.

I hope Barstow has profited from the tourist passing through this very historical town and probably not really knowing what they are missing if they don’t now days. Route 66 brought many tourists this way and now many come to experience those past memories of a bygone era. Heck, I remember the funky tourist attractions of teepees, giant dinosaurs, and all those so called cheesy trinkets shops that lured many travelers along the way. I loved them and still do! My dad was a very fun, loving father who was my best friend too. He loved to explore, but when it came to getting us to our destination on a specific day, he was determined. Yet, my mother always took pity on our puppy dog frowns when something caught our eye along our yearly travels, she’d use the excuse we all need to make a Jane stop. Ha, my dad was sharp when it came to this tactics, but his reasoning would soften for making the stop. Of course by the time he did give in we were miles down the road and he had to turn around all awhile sounding like Ricky Ricardo….lol! We’d all scoot down on our seats giggling every time.

See the buildings once between the tracks?

Barstow started as a rail road stop called Calico Junction along the Southern Pacific Railroad from Mojave to Daggett around 1880’s. Calico mountains brought many miners for a rich deposit of silver and borax. Twenty mules team were used to haul just the ore from Daggett to Calico. Around 1888 the town was named after the president William Barstow Strong not soon after the Santa Fe line arrived.

Unfortunately the silver mines were becoming a bust around 1896. Yet, borax was still lucrative in the millions well into 1902. While Calico and Daggett was become ghost towns, Barstow grew with having a very busy prosperous railhead. Then Route 66 also brought many travelers either from passing through or capturing those searching for promise of work and a home. Do any of you remember either reading the book or seeing the movie adaptation “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck? I do and they are both one of my favorites. It will remind you with some of the hardships the Oakies endured from the dust bowl era. My mom does because she grew up in Oklahoma during those difficult times. It has been said John Steinbeck stayed in Barstow a day while passing through writing this novel.

Harvey Girls

Hands off chicky..that's my MAN!........lol

Barstow is home to one of the famed Harvey House that was rebuilt in 1911 after the original 1887 building burned down in 1902. It still stands along the rail road to the testament of a once bygone era providing passengers with rest, food, and company. They almost lost this building, but some frisky saviors saw fit to save her and she is truly a beautiful building. It is being lovingly restored and utilized by the city of Barstow and houses their chamber of commerce, Route 66 Museum and the Western America Railroad Museum.

Do you remember Judy Garland “The Harvey Girls”? I do and grew listening to all the greats of the musical era.

"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe"

~Sung by Judy Garland~
~Music by Harry Warren~
~Lyrics by Johnny Mercer~

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots to do and see here.
Cons:Please check the weather and many homeless in the old downtown area, but kept to themselves.
In a nutshell:It is town filled with many layers of history.

Last visit to Barstow: Sep 2007
Intro Updated Dec 2, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (25)

Not kid friendly! Restaurants (6)

We stopped in here to have dinner after our lovely day at Calico Ghost Town in Yermo. Since it is located off Old Hwy... more travel advice

Route 66 Location Restaurants (6)

I wanted to list some places I notice right from the get go. I have not tried this establishment, but plan too the next... more travel advice

Bartstow Chamber of Commerce Favorites (1)

As with most Chamber of Commerces, they are a wonderful wealth of information while seeking out new adventures while... more travel advice

Train Park - Harvey House Off The Beaten Path (5)

This is located just outside the Harvey House and has some other really neat historic trains to see. Has a lovely little... more travel advice

Things to Do (8)
See All Skyline Drive-In
Shopping (2)
See All 1 Mile Mall

Hotels (3)
See All Hangin' in there
Been to Barstow?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (31)

- Report abuse
Regina1965 Dec 2, 2012 at 1:01 AM

Me too, I love Judy Garland musicals and the Harvey girls :D
- Report abuse
  Yaqui Dec 2, 2012 at 7:07 AM
  
  Thank you for stopping by my Barstow page! It is dusty and barren, but a city with lots of great history!
Reply
- Report abuse
lmkluque Oct 23, 2011 at 11:47 AM

I never made it to this part of Barstow. Thanks for the tour and interesting comments! Bet your dad wished he had given in to your mom sooner!LOL! Loved that story.
Reply
- Report abuse
MD2nd Jan 12, 2011 at 2:11 AM

Very nice tip on Denny's, well, it is very nice at Denny's not just due to their wonderful retro design but their pan cakes too.
Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Nov 14, 2010 at 2:39 PM

Fine tips on this interesting town. Yes, it's strange when things from your childhood are shown as antiques. In Düsseldorf there is a film museum with old 8 mm movie cameras and projectors just like the ones we used to have at home when I was a child.
Reply
- Report abuse
johngayton Sep 7, 2010 at 1:37 PM

Hi and tx for the Hengelo visit - I love these out of the way places and in fact had a very fun night out here in Barstow a few years ago. More Hunter S Thompson than Stienbeck tho' ;))
Reply
- Report abuse
msbrandysue Jul 2, 2010 at 4:23 PM

I love all the places you listed! Love it or hate it that McDonalds looks fun, especially with kids. Another awesome representation of California! Adore your pages :)
Reply
- Report abuse
mvtouring Mar 12, 2010 at 7:11 AM

Very interesting place, I too miss the drive \-inn movies, they were fun ;-)
Reply
- Report abuse
ranger49 Feb 22, 2010 at 8:16 AM

Another fascinating page from history, Dee. And what memories it evokes -Steinbeck, Harvey Girls and more, Great stuff!
Reply
- Report abuse
deecat Jan 14, 2010 at 10:31 PM

Accolades to you!! A 5-star introduction. Love all the stuff about the Harvey Girls/House, the old railroad bridge, the MURALS, Route 66 hotels, and, best of all, taking your kids to a real Drive In Movie!
Reply
- Report abuse
balhannah Dec 1, 2009 at 8:02 PM

Weird rules in the Steakhouse! We found Denny's too, couldn't complain, and a reasonable price. I know of some family members that would love the Route 66 Museum, they love their Route 66 caps I brought home!