The
Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum was dedicated on July 4, 2000
in the historic Casa del Desierto, Harvey House, in Barstow,
California. The Museum displays a collection of historic
photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave
Desert Communities. Displays include development of the
United States Route 66 from early pioneer trails, railroads,
automotive history, businesses and sites.
Visitors
making this roadside attraction a day destination or staying
in the area longer can learn more about what to experience
while on the Mojave Desert or on Route 66 from many handouts,
books and knowledgeable docents. Because of greater interest,
our technical resources and preservation efforts are building
to offer better assistance.
On
May 1, 2003 Hampton Inn Hotels designated the Harvey House
Route 66 Mother Road Museum as a "Roadside Attraction" by
officially posting a sign, one of "66" along the Route's
2,448 miles.
During the heyday
of rail passenger service in the Western United States,
Barstow boasted a splendid rail depot/restaurant/hotel complex
called the "Casa del Desierto", House of the Desert. Completed
in 1911, the Casa del Desierto was the fourth "Harvey House"
built by the Atchinson, Topeka, and the Santa Fe Railway
Company along its right-of-way and operated by the Fred
Harvey Company. These Harvey Houses established an unparalleled
standard of food service to the traveler, and entered the
lore of American railroading and the West.