NEEDLES, Calif. — If there is one thoroughfare embodying the spirit of the American road trip, it's Route 66, the 2,400-mile highway connecting Chicago to Los Angeles.
Needles is the last California town on the historic highway before leaving the Golden State into Arizona. It's a landmark for travelers because of the pointy needle-like mountains nearby.
Marianne Jones is president of the Needles Regional Museum, which houses the little desert town's finest artifacts.
“People on Route 66 broke down here and then ended up living here. You’d ask them how they found this place and they’d say 'I broke down here,'” said Jones.
Trains brought people to Needles before Route 66.
“Needles is a railroad town; we still have about 100 trains go through here,” said Jones.
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The town was a busy change station for passengers who often stayed the night at the El Garces Harvey House across the street from the museum.
This once popular chain of railroad restaurants and hotels famously only hired well-mannered young women in black dresses as waitresses.
“Judy Garland was in a movie about the Harvey Girls,” said Jones.
When Route 66 was built, it brought in even more travelers to Needles. One of the most famous residents was cartoonist Charles Schultz, who lived in Needles for a short time as a kid. The desert town and his memories were portrayed in several of his cartoons. Needles is the home of Spike, Snoopy’s brother.
“Charles Schultz had a dog when he lived here and his name was Spike,” said Jones.
When Interstate 40 was built, it bypassed Needles. The town is not as busy as it used to be but if you aren’t in a hurry, you can still take the historic Route 66 through town and capture the spirit of the classic American Road Trip.
ANOTHER BACKROADS ADVENTURE ON ROUTE 66: Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch--an artistic Route 66 recycling display.
