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

Amboy and Roy's Café

— Route 66 —

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 4, 2024

1. Amboy and Roy's Café Marker

Inscription. Amboy, settled as early as 1858, became a water stop when the Southern Pacific Railroad laid its tracks through the Cadiz Valley in 1883-84. Following the course of the railroad and the National Old Trails Highway, Route 66 was opened in 1926. Amboy soon saw heavy traffic along "The Mother Road" as flivvers, dust bowl emigrants, soldiers and vacationers made their way through the Mojave Desert. Facilities included a café, service station, school, motel and post office. Water was hauled by rail from Newberry Springs, 50 miles to the west.

Roy's had served travelers along Route 66 from the beginning. Opened by Roy Crowl and later operated by Roy's son-in-law Buster Burris, Roy's has provided hot food, a cold drink, and gasoline to many a weary sojourner. Motorist could spend the night at the motel while vehicles of all types were serviced at the garage. Even after interstate 40 bypassed the town in 1973, Roy's has served as a welcome oasis in the lonely stretch of desert.

Erected 2006 by Billy Holcomb Chapter - E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 126.)

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 1858.

Location.

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34° 33.513′ N, 115° 44.646′ W. Marker is in Amboy, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on National Trails Highway - Historic Route 66 near Old Amboy Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amboy CA 92304, 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Trails and Rails Through the Mojave Desert (within shouting distance of this marker); Route 66, Amboy, California (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Albert Okura (about 600 feet away); Saint Raymond's Church (about 700 feet away); Amboy Crater (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Amboy Crater (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hallowed Ground (approx. 7.8 miles away); Road Runner’s Retreat (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amboy.

Regarding Amboy and Roy's Café. The town of Amboy was purchased by Albert Okura in 2005. He was dedicated to preserving Amboy in a 1950's look and feel. See Nearby Marker: Albert Okura.

Also see . . .
1. Visit Amboy - The History. (Submitted on September 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Historic Route 66 - The Mother Road. A turn-by-turn road description guiding the visitor from Chicago to Los Angeles along

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

2. Amboy and Roy's Café Marker

with links to photos, history and additional information. (Submitted on July 19, 2010.)

Additional keywords. Route 66

Amboy and Roy's Café image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

3. Amboy and Roy's Café

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

4. Amboy and Roy's Café

Motel Cottages and the Roy's Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner

5. Motel Cottages and the Roy's Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,188 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.