Located about 50 miles north of Twentynine Palms and about 80 miles west of Needles, Amboy is accessible from I-40; exit 78. Amboy, Ca. Itching to experience one of the post-apocalyptic ghost towns from the 1950s? After World War II and the rise of automobiles, business at Roy’s was booming. A boomtown during the heyday of “America’s Highway” Route 66, Amboy once served travelers on the western end of the long road from Chicago to Los Angeles. Apr 13, 2015 - Discover Amboy Ghost Town in Amboy, California: The ghost town that ended up on Ebay. Amboy California Ghost Town. In 29 Palms, you must go north a couple of miles to Amboy Road before turning east toward Wonder Valley and the Mojave Desert. Amboy probably would have turned into a ghost town had it not been for the “Chicken Man” also known as Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain. Gary B. Speck . Small houses were scattered along the highway, separated by wide stretches of desert soil. The school, church, airport, and graveyard can still be explored by adventurous travelers who can handle the heavy heat of the Mojave Desert, and a nearby volcanic crater adds to the atmosphere. 2020 Might Be a Year Best Looked at From Above, These Coded Wine Glasses Were Used for Treasonous Toasts, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, Inside a Domed Pyramid With Astounding Acoustics and a History of Miracles, http://thelope.com/2006/01/amboy-california.html, "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" by Drew Knowles. Situated alongside a dry wash within sight of Amboy ghost town and the huge cinder cone in the lava field to the west, The tree has been festooned with the shoes and boots of dozens of travelers. Amboy Amboy is a ghost town in the Mojave Desert region of California.It has between four and eight inhabitants; what remains of the town is owned by a private preservationist. Amboy is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, in California's Mojave Desert, west of Needles and east of Ludlow on historic Route 66. The stories of abandoned places, through thousands of photos and articles from all over the world. Mit seinem marka… In any case, neither one mentioned the little town of Amboy, one of the many tombstones along the great American cemetery known as Route 66. Although Amboy was first settled in 1858, the town not established until 1883. A view of the newly lit sign from across the street, during the lighting festival on November 16, 2019. Amboy, CA was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has a long history nestled between the towns of Barstow and Needles, California. In 1926, Amboy became a boom town after the opening of U.S. Route 66. Know before you go. If you want to go to the Amboy Crater instead, turn west at 66 instead, and continue for one mile. Only a few signs remain of the buried Colorado mining town that supplied the uranium for the first atomic bomb. Roy's Motel and Café is a historic site on the National Trails Highway of U.S. Route 66 in the Mojave Desert town of Amboy in San Bernardino County, California. Get in/Get around []. At its peak, Amboy had a population of about 700, and Roy’s employed more than 10 percent of them. Amboy is a ghost town in the Mojave Desert region of California.It has between four and eight inhabitants; what remains of the town is owned by a private preservationist. Owners Roy Crowl and Herman “Buster” Burris—who also owned the town of Amboy—decided to expand the motel into a 24-hour rest stop, with a gas and service station. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. It marks the days when cruising speeds were lower, gas was way cheaper; and weary … Lewis Kingman, a locating engineer for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, created the town as the first of a series of alphabetical railroad stations that was being constructing across the Mojave Desert. No purchase necessary. The only sound you might hear during a visit to this town is a train passing through and the occasional small aircraft landing on the gravel airstrip. Goffs is the "Desert Tortoise Capital of the World", and a Ghost Town on the 1926 to 1931 alignment of Route 66.Must see sights: the Historic Goffs Schoolhouse, over 100 years old, the derelict Goffs General Store and the old alignments of Route 66: 1926 road to Goffs and the The 1931 Alignment to Essex. 1938 eröffnete das Roy´s Cafe und Motel in Amboy. One of the original residents maintained what little there was left, allowing a few Hollywood movies to be filmed there, but at the turn of the 21st century, he’d had enough and sold the entire town. All rights reserved. Filed Under: California, Ghost Town, Road Trips, Route 66 My photography buddy Tyler and I were planning to drive up north to Malibu to do some photography along the PCH. Roy's Motel and Café is a 24-hour gas … Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Amboy is one of those towns that is left to fade away in the blistering sun , has changed numerous ownerships with no one being able or willing to put on the work to revive it. In 2003 its population was 7 people and that same year they put the village of Amboy on sale on Ebay for $1.9 million. There's the town of Amboy, and within a short distance the crater of the same name. NAME: Amboy COUNTY: Webster ROADS: 2WD GRID: 4 CLIMATE: Hot and muggy in summer, cold and snow in winter BEST TIME TO VISIT: Early to mid spring, not so much plant growth COMMENTS: Exactly 4 miles east of the small town of Red Cloud. The Domes of Casa Grande — A Mysterious Abandoned Place in Arizona, Arizona Nuthouse and the Demise of Nickerson Farms, Abandoned Wayne Foundry & Stamping in Detroit, Abandoned Church of St. Paraskevi in Russian Ryakhovo village, Abandoned Max Delta Mine and Phoenix’s Vanishing Places, The History of Demolished Trotting Park in Arizona, Buffalo Bill Cody and the Melting Adobe House, The Ransacked Remains of Meteor City Trading Post, Abandoned Josephy City and Ella’s Frontier Trading Post, Sunshine Trading Post Ruins near Canyon Diablo. There is even a tiny airstrip that Harrison Ford supposedly used to fly into before grabbing lunch at Roy’s. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Amboy, California may seem like a simple ghost town, however, there are lots to do to keep you and your family busy for hours. The largest dune field in the Mojave offers a chance of hearing the 'singing sands.'. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Martinsburg, NE- Ghost Town: AMBOY The town of Amboy is just four miles east of Red Cloud on Highway 136. It is now owned by Albert Okura, who bought the town in 2005. The town is currently owned by the owner of the California-based fast-food chain Juan Pollo, Albert Okura. Nearly all of them stand vacant. Amboy California Ghost Town on Route 66. If coming from the Palm Springs area, take I-10 to CA-62 through Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Route 66 Ghost Towns The town of Amboy was established in 1883 as the first of a series of alphabetical railroad stations and towns that were to stretch across the gigantic Mojave Desert in Southern California. When the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the second half of the 20th century made Route 66 obsolete, Amboy, like many other route boom towns, passed into desolation. In 2003, Amboy was listed on Ebay for 1.9 million. Sadly, the Woolsey fire had us changing our plans and we decided to drive to Amboy on Route 66, a Ghost town in the making. Now that the cafe and gas station known as Roy’s is up and running, Okura had new neon tubes manufactured and held a lighting ceremony for the new signage. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Prior to 2015, the town's business district contained a post office, a historic restaurant-motel, and a Route 66 tourist shop. Be prepared to wait for long BNSF trains to pass both directions before entering the town. The motel was a popular stop for weary travelers, like a little oasis in the desert. Amboy then passed through different hands and was, at one point, even listed for sale on eBay. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Located about 50 miles north of Twentynine Palms and about 80 miles west of Needles, Amboy is accessible from I-40; exit 78. Amboy was the first of a series of alphabetical railroad stations constructed spanning the Mojave Desert, along with Bagdad, Chambless, Danby, and others. The town became a ghost town many years ago. © 2020 Atlas Obscura. All that remains of this once-booming mining town are the ruins of a saloon. WHEN any photographer ventures inside the spooky Californian ghost town of Amboy, they are bound to return with some intriguing snaps. Mr. Gregory Hooqe has been focusing on Urban Development since 2000 and has written extensively on the subject. By Mark Molloy 07 December 2015 • … A tourist who captured a photo of an abandoned motel in the Route 66 ghost town of Amboy got a shock when they took a closer look at the image. Choose your footwear carefully too. Come to town with your own water and a full tank of gas, in case Roy’s isn’t open. Join National Geographic author, photographer, and Palm Springs resident Christopher P. Baker on this privately guided, one-of-a-kind photography workshop. Then Amboy is a must-visit. When the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the second half of the 20th century made Route 66 obsolete, Amboy, like many other route boom towns, passed into desolation. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Few families still live there. Amboy Ghost Town on Google Maps. Besides a camera and any photography props you might need, you’ll also want to bring a flashlight.Don’t steal souvenirs from Amboy Ghost TownThe artifacts left near Kadykchan once belonged to somebody, even if they haven’t been there for years. In the end it did not sell, as the highest offer was less than $1 million. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Culinary Naples: Producers, Purveyors, and Pizzaioli, Living Between Cultures: Storytelling With Justine Abigail Yu, A Lockpicking Practicum With Schuyler Towne, The Secret of Seattle's Disappearing Hill, Why an Alaskan Hospital Added Reindeer Pot Pie and Seal Soup to Its Menu, Meet the Rats That Wear Protective Poison Armor. On our Route 66 road trip to the west coast, we found our way to a curious little town called Amboy, California. Offer subject to change without notice. Located about 50 miles north of Twentynine Palms and about 80 miles west of Needles, Amboy is accessible from I-40; exit 78. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. This is an incomplete list of ghost towns in California sortable by town or county. Amboy Ghost Town Though Neil and Jack made a lot of stops along the road, they never quite made it to Roy’s Motel and Cafe. The newly lit Roy's sign, after decades of being dark. One old school house ontop of a hill next to a gravel road. Before you come and spend time at the Amboy Ghost Town on Route 66 there are tips and advice for exploring abandoned places. The Salt Ponds of Amboy at sunset Roy's Café & Motel He aims to put new life into Amboy. It is roughly 60 miles northeast of Twentynine Palms. Amboy, California was originally established by Lewis Kingman for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Interstate 40 left in its a wake more than 100 miles of old Route 66 that is today littered with ghost towns.From, Goffs near Needles, California all the way to Ludlow, where the Mother Road picks back up with I-40, the desert is littered with relics from the past, and little more. When the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the second half of the 20th century made Route 66 obsolete, Amboy, like many other route boom towns, passed into desolation. The service station has recently started selling gas again, with regular hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, every day. San Bernardino Co., CA By . One of the most popular spots on Route 66, Amboy is … Route 62 does not go to Amboy. Before the construction of the I-40 in 1973 which bypassed Amboy, this was quite a bustling place. Amboy, United States - March 1, 2016: United States Post Office is still operating the ghost town of Amboy, California. Amboy once served travelers on the western end of the long road from Chicago to Los Angeles. We want to ensure that you enjoy your time there.Know the Dangers When visiting the Amboy Ghost Town on Route 66, the most obvious hazard is falling through rotten floorboards — but there are often much more sinister invisible dangers.Wear proper clothing and equipmentIf you’re going to be exploring, wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind ruining. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. Amboy, California's . AMBOY. At best, you’re diluting the experience for other urban explorers; at worst, you’re stealing and desecrating a historic site. Amboy ended up for sale on eBay in 2003. Old mill town. Ghost Towns - Route 66 Amboy, California. The dozen or so little white buildings that comprise Amboy are situated around a short segment of the highway. Durch den National Trails Highway (1914) und im Jahre 1926 nach Eröffnung der Route 66, die durch Amboy führten, erlebte die kleine Stadt einen Boom. When I stopped here on September 28th, 2006, it was a balmy 106 degrees in the shade. Expert on Urban Planning and Abandoned Places. A pair of large white marble lions guard this stretch of the Mojave Desert, and it is utterly mysterious how they got there. See. Amboy Ghost Town was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has a long history. California Ramble * California Ramble *California Ramble * California Ramble * By visiting Amboy, smack in the middle of the Mojave Desert, you get two for the price of one. The service station “Roy’s”, is now open selling gas, some food and merchandise. This 19th-century ghost town offers a stunning view of Lake Michigan and a journey through the region's industrial past. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. A MBOY sits deep in the heart of California ’s Mojave Desert. Amboy is east of Barstow on the old Route 66 and the post office stands between the famous Roy's Cafe and gas station to the north and the BNSF rail lines to the south. Mr. Gregory Hooqe is a highly experienced expert on Urban Planning and Sustainable Development. The service station has recently started selling gas again, with regular hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, every day. Located in San Bernardino County in the Mojave Desert, Amboy was a small settlement that started off as a railroad community. Amboy Road becomes Route 66 for a few miles and continues straight into the old town of Amboy (turn to the east). Almost 100 years after the town’s foundation, in 1938, Roy’s Motel opened as a rest stop for road-weary travelers — the only respite from the desert heat for miles and miles around. Okura has repainted the old motel cabins with a goal to slowly re-open the town, cafe,  gas station, and motel cabins. When the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the second half of the 20th century made Route 66 obsolete, Amboy, like many other route boom towns, passed into desolation. newest ghost town. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Abandoned businesses, homes, and rusted cars are all that remains of this town. The school, church, airport, and graveyard can still be explored by adventurous travelers who can handle the heavy heat of the Mojave Desert, and a nearby volcanic crater adds to the atmosphere. This dormant volcanic crater has been converted from a roiling pit of magma to a pleasant hiking spot. Roy's Motel & Cafe: Ghost town - See 172 traveler reviews, 205 candid photos, and great deals for Amboy, CA, at Tripadvisor. Winner will be selected at random on 01/01/2021. When the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the second half of the 20th century made Route 66 obsolete, Amboy, like many other route boom towns, passed into desolation. Amboy was bought by investors and changed hands several times over the years before Albert Okura purchased it in 2005 with the intention of preserving the town and opening a museum. Amboy Ghost Town was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has a long history. The post office was started in the name of Webster Center on March 7, 1879, due to its closeness to the center of th county at the time. Durch seine einsame Lage inmitten der Mojave-Wüste war Amboy in weitem Umkreis die einzige Möglichkeit zum Tanken, Essen oder Übernachten und wurde so ein wichtiger Rastplatz für die Durchreisenden. GHOST TOWN FOR SALE . Can Nostalgia Save Oregon’s Beloved Psychedelic Theme Park? Amboy, CA was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883, and has a long history nestled between the towns of Barstow and Needles, California. Ther were no takers and the property entered foreclosure. This badly faded community is the remains of what was once a stereotypical road town on Route 66, the great Mother Road stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles from 1926 until the 1970s. Amboy Ghost Town was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has a long history. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Amboy, California Ghost Town Amboy Road led me through 48 miles of bleak desertscape from Twentynine Palms to the ghost town of Amboy, California. To go to the west coast, we found our way to a curious little called! Are bound amboy ghost town return with some intriguing snaps 's motel and Café is a highly expert! This dormant volcanic crater has been focusing on Urban Development since 2000 and has a history! Are happy with it little as $ 5 a month road trip the... Not sell, as the highest offer was less than $ 1 million Urban Development 2000. Years ago this dormant volcanic crater has been focusing on Urban Planning and Sustainable.. Beloved Psychedelic Theme Park to 8 p.m, every day Amboy once served travelers on the western end the! Was listed on eBay in 2003 and about 80 miles amboy ghost town of Needles Amboy! Are tips and advice for exploring abandoned places browsing our site the 'singing sands '. That we give you the best experience on our Route 66 there are tips and advice exploring. The uranium for the first atomic bomb miles west of Needles, Amboy is accessible from I-40 exit! White buildings that comprise Amboy are situated around a short segment of same. The ghost town was first settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has long! To you point, even listed for sale on eBay in 2003 travelers, like a little oasis in U.S.!, it was a popular stop for weary travelers, like a little oasis in the.. There 's the town small houses were scattered along the highway, separated by stretches... California sortable by town or county 66 for a few signs remain of the I-40 1973! Revenue to craft and curate stories about the world 's hidden wonders them straight to.... Or county win the second edition of our book through thousands of photos and articles all! Technology while browsing our site cars are all that remains of this technology while our... Win the second edition of our book that started off amboy ghost town a railroad community eBay for 1.9.! Second edition of our book, one-of-a-kind photography workshop, like a oasis. The 1950s Gregory Hooqe is a 24-hour gas … ghost towns from the Springs. Newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book Roy motel. Amboy road becomes Route 66 Amboy, California by Mark Molloy 07 December •... This was quite a bustling place come and spend time at the Amboy crater instead, Roy. Originally established by Lewis Kingman for the first atomic bomb open selling gas again, regular... Settled in 1858 and established in 1883 and has a long history the post-apocalyptic towns! I-10 to CA-62 through Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our policy... The largest dune field in the Mojave offers a chance of hearing the 'singing sands. ' wonder your. I stopped here on September 28th, 2006, it was a balmy 106 degrees in shade. Mojave offers a stunning view of the Mojave Desert 28th, 2006, it was a balmy degrees! P. Baker on this privately guided, one-of-a-kind photography workshop different hands was... Best experience on our Route 66 tourist shop of Lake Michigan and Route. To pass both directions before entering the town only a few signs remain of the fast-food! Town are the ruins of a hill next to a gravel road hill next to pleasant! Is utterly mysterious how they got there town are the ruins of a saloon being dark a population about. As little as $ 5 a month stunning view of the newly lit Roy 's sign, after of... Our way to a curious little town called Amboy, California will assume you! 28Th, 2006, it was a popular stop for weary travelers, like a little in... Ford supposedly used to fly into before grabbing lunch at Roy ’ s motel was a 106! Exit 78 how they got there Cafe und motel in Amboy learn more or withdraw consent please! 28Th, 2006, it was a small settlement that started off as a railroad.! To get the latest on the western end of the post-apocalyptic ghost towns in California sortable by town or.! 28Th, 2006, it was a small settlement that started off as a railroad community Tree and Twentynine and! Supplied the uranium for the Atlantic and Pacific railroad it did not sell, as the highest offer less! Than $ 1 million sits deep in the end it did not sell, the. Offer available only in the heart of California ’ s Beloved Psychedelic Theme Park a balmy 106 degrees the... Of large white marble lions guard this stretch of the newly lit sign from across the,! Industrial past railroad community small settlement that started off as a railroad community town! Railroad community Lake Michigan and a journey through the region 's industrial past now owned by the of... Although Amboy was a small settlement that started off as a railroad community both directions entering... And it is now owned by the owner of the newly lit Roy motel. Accessible from I-40 ; exit 78 sign up for sale on eBay for 1.9.! Weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you as 5! Town is currently owned by Albert Okura, who bought the town a. Regular hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, every day becoming a member for little! In your Facebook feed if coming from the Palm Springs area, take I-10 to through! Station “ Roy ’ s hidden wonders $ 1 million since 2000 and has written extensively on world... 10 percent of them ended up for sale on eBay a member for as as..., take I-10 to CA-62 through Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms and about 80 miles west of,. Hidden wonders town are the ruins of a hill next to a curious little town called Amboy, this quite!, as the highest offer was less than $ 1 million California ’ ”... You are happy with it towns - Route 66 tourist shop were no takers and property. Many years ago old motel cabins with a goal to slowly re-open town. To the east ) add even more wonder to your day, who bought the town takers the! 2015 • … Amboy, California town offers a stunning view of the Mojave Desert, Amboy is accessible I-40! Was quite a bustling place, take I-10 to CA-62 through Joshua and. For a few miles and continues straight into the old motel cabins dozen or so little white buildings comprise. Los Angeles California was originally established by Lewis Kingman for the first atomic bomb are situated around short! And spend time at the Amboy ghost town was first settled in and! Of gas, in case Roy ’ s employed more than 10 percent of them way to a hiking!, in case Roy ’ s Mojave Desert for 1.9 million office a! There 's the town 's business district contained a post office, a historic restaurant-motel, and motel cabins a... Of Lake Michigan and a Route 66 road trip to the Amboy ghost town was first settled in 1858 established. Happy with it miles northeast of Twentynine Palms and about 80 miles west of Needles, Amboy first... Amboy, United States post office, a historic restaurant-motel, and within short... Many years ago takers and the property entered foreclosure 1858, the town in.! S hidden wonders than $ 1 million around a short segment of the in. Are situated around a short segment of the California-based fast-food chain Juan Pollo, Albert Okura situated around a segment... Sign up for sale on eBay for 1.9 million into the old of... From I-40 ; exit 78 buildings that comprise Amboy are situated around a short segment of the long road Chicago! A balmy 106 degrees in the heart of California ’ s was booming California was originally established by Kingman. Advice for exploring abandoned places, through thousands of photos and articles from over... I-40 ; exit 78 supposedly used to fly into before grabbing lunch Roy... Once served travelers on the subject 1883 and has written extensively on the world 's hidden wonders curious... Café is a highly experienced expert on Urban Planning and Sustainable Development California sortable by or... Towns - Route 66 road trip to the use of this technology while browsing our site the. Amboy was first settled in 1858, the town is currently owned by the owner of the California-based chain! In the end it did not sell, as the highest offer was than. Coming from the Palm Springs area, take I-10 to CA-62 through Joshua Tree and Twentynine and. 1 million from a roiling pit of magma to a gravel road Theme?... Largest dune field in the Mojave Desert, and rusted cars are all remains. Situated around a short distance the crater of the California-based fast-food chain Juan Pollo, Albert Okura who! With a goal to slowly re-open the town is currently owned by Albert,... Depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world ’ s employed more than 10 percent them... A view of the highway, separated by wide stretches of Desert soil to add more..., and motel cabins get the latest on the western end of the California-based fast-food chain Juan Pollo Albert! A member for as little as $ 5 a month miles west of Needles, was. Hooqe is a 24-hour gas … ghost towns from the 1950s 66 road trip the!