Barstow in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Barstow Route 66
On the far left of the mural you will see a 1947 three wheeled Harley Davidson Service Car used by Barstow Police department for parking enforcement to collect money and carry tools to repair the parking meters on Main Street Route 66. The Harley & the featured Model T are displayed at the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum at the Harvey House.
Next to the Harley is a Barstow neon sign and lyrics for Bobby Troup’s “Get your kicks on Route 66”, made famous by Nate King Cole. Across the top of the mural are poplar places found along Barstow Route 66. From the left you see the Beacon Tavern, the El Rancho whose six story sign has welcomed travelers on Route 66 since the 40s, Del Taco which was started and continues to be run by Barstow’s Hackbarth family, Fosters Freeze was a stand that at one time used car hops, and the Skyline Drive-In one of the last operating drive-in theaters in Southern California.
In the center is Frank Sinatra’s 1966 Cadillac, which drove through and was repaired in Barstow and a Ford Mustang, one of the most popular cars made in the U.S.
On the far right of the mural is a 1915 Ford Model T Touring. The Model T was featured in John Steinbeck’s Classic book “Grapes of Wrath”. Steinbeck is credited with first calling Route 66 the “Mother Road”.
The small crowd in front of the mural are all interesting visitors to Barstow and are arranged for you to take pictures with the stars. First is Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, William (Hopalong Cassidy) Boyd, Winston Churchill, Mickey Rooney, Victor Mature and Jeanne Crain who was born in Barstow and was nominated for an Oscar.
Around the edge of the mural are road signs steering travelers to safety. “Get your kicks on Route 66”.
Master Mural Artist: David Brockhurst. Artists: Ray Valley, Juliette Tyson, Nicole Monte, Lino De Leon
Erected 2015 by Barstow Chamber of Commerce.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 34° 53.934′ N, 117° 1.226′ W. Marker is in Barstow, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on East Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Located on the Cedar Chest Thrift building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 East Main Street, Barstow CA 92311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Mojave Desert, in the Peninsular Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prohibition & Bootlegging in the High Desert (a few steps from this marker); Marine Corps Logistic Base (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beacon Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); New Rebuilt City (within shouting distance of this marker); Old National Trails Hwy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Harvey House (about 700 feet away); Waterman Junction Becomes Barstow (approx. 0.2 miles away); Christiansen Memorial Plaza (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barstow.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.





