Near Amboy in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Route 66

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

1. Old Route 66 Marker

Inscription. Perhaps no other highway in the U.S. is as fabled as old Route 66. It has been immortalized in song, literature, and even a T.V. series as the main street of America. Automobiles came early to the desert, following the railroad with its reliable water sources. In the early 1900's the route was known as the National Old Trails Road. In 1926 it became U.S. Highway 66, and within a decade was paved all the way from L.A. to Chicago. Heavy travel by dustbowl emigrants led John Steinbeck to label it the Mother Road. Chambless, where you now stand, was a typical roadside stop. It was bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1973, and the Route 66 designation was officially dropped in 1985.

Erected 1992 by Billy Holcomb Chapter of The Ancient and Honorable Order E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 69.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 34° 33.731′ N, 115° 32.666′ W. Marker is near Amboy, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is at the intersection of National Trails Highway and Cadiz Road, on the right when traveling west on

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National Trails Highway. The marker is located about 78 miles east of Barstow, about 11 miles east of Amboy, and 11 miles south of Intesrtate 40. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amboy CA 92304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Route 66 Roadside Service Areas: Road Runner’s Retreat (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Story of Route 66 (approx. 5.6 miles away); Route 66, Amboy, California (approx. 11.3 miles away); Trails and Rails Through the Mojave Desert (approx. 11.3 miles away); Amboy and Roy's Café (approx. 11.4 miles away).

More about this marker. Chambless was just another small stop on the "Main Street" of the USA and has not fared as well as some locations. There was an important discovery made in the 1980's. South of here is a large natural underground water storage basin, used at this time to water the large acreage of crops nearby. San Bernardino County officials are studying the basin for water storage.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Also see . . . A YouTube Posting. The opening scene of the T.V. episode of Route 66 starring Martin Milner and George Maharas. (Submitted on July 19, 2010.)

Additional keywords.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

2. Old Route 66 Marker

Route 66

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

3. Rear of Old Route 66 Marker

View south across Old Route 66.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, May 3, 1992

4. Event Patch

May - 1992
Chambless

Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,512 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.