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

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County. It is at the intersection of National Trails Highway and Cadiz Road, on the right when traveling west on 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.

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 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Road Runner’s Retreat (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Story of Route 66 (approx. 5.6 miles away); Saint Raymond's Church (approx. 11.3 miles away); Route 66, Amboy, California (approx. 11.3 miles away); Trails and Rails Through the Mojave Desert

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 9, 2010

2. Old Route 66 Marker

(approx. 11.3 miles away); Amboy and Roy's Café (approx. 11.4 miles away); Albert Okura (approx. 11½ 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. Route 66

Rear of Old Route 66 Marker image. Click for full size.

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 December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,949 times since then and 69 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.