7 Ghost Towns on Route 66
Travel to some of the most quiet places along the Mother Road, and witness some ghost towns that are looking for a revival
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Marianne Dhenin
Cuervo Post Office (2014-06-18) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
When Route 66 was established in 1926, hundreds of vibrant small towns prospered along it, offering travelers the gas station, diners, and motels needed for their drive, as well as the striking landmarks and landscapes that earned the road its iconic reputation.
As Route 66’s popularity declined in the 1960s and ‘70s, many of these communities also waned. While some remain only as ghost towns, others still have a few residents, or are angling for a revival.
Funks Grove Antiques (2015-08-21) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Funks Grove was a favorite stopover for train passengers, who bought syrup harvested from the local sugar maples at the town’s general store.
Fun Fact: The town is still the home of Funks Grove Maple Sirup which has been in operation since 1824.
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Today, Funks Grove is deserted, but travelers can still visit the overgrown train depot, the general store, and Funks Grove Nature Preserve, one of the largest remnants of virgin forest in Illinois and a National Natural Landmark.
Times Beach Route 66 State Park (2017-01-29) by Adam Moss Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0National Trust for Historic Preservation
2. Times Beach, Missouri
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, the suburban town of Times Beach was once home to about 2,000 people who shopped at a grocer on Route 66.
The town was evacuated and demolished in 1985 after the Environmental Protection Agency discovered that waste oil containing the toxic chemical dioxin had been sprayed on its streets to suppress dust for years. The area was declared safe again in 2001.
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Today, the 400-plus-acre Route 66 State Park stands where Times Beach once was. The park’s visitor center is housed in the old Bridgehead Inn, the only remaining building from the former town.
Depew Downtown (2020-07-12) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
3. Depew, Oklahoma
Visitors to Depew, Oklahoma, will find it is only half a ghost town. A few hundred residents still live here among abandoned buildings from Depew’s heyday.
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Today, the historic brick Main Street district and Gimmel Gas Station are favorite attractions for those traveling along Route 66 through downtown Depew.
Morning in Glenrio (2017-11-04) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Glenrio’s fortunes turned in the mid-1970s when Interstate 40 bypassed the town. Its population dwindled, and buildings stood abandoned for decades. In 2007, Glenrio was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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Today, the Glenrio Historic District includes the old Route 66 roadbed and 17 abandoned buildings, including a former Texaco station and diner designed with Art Moderne influence.
Cuervo, New Mexico (2014-06-18) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
5. Cuervo, New Mexico
Located between Tucumcari and Albuquerque, the town of Cuervo, New Mexico, was established at the turn of the 20th century as a water stop along the new railroad.
The town grew with the rise of cattle ranching and the arrival of Route 66, peaking at a few hundred residents in the 1940s. Its decline began with the construction of Interstate 40, which split the town in two.
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Two Guns, Arizona (2015-06-10) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
6. Two Guns, Arizona
Two Guns, Arizona, was once a thriving stop along the Mother Road, attracting travelers with a trading post, gas station, and even a small zoo housing mountain lions and other local wildlife.
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The disused bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and Two Guns sits abandoned. The area remains a popular stopover for history lovers and those chasing local legends of buried treasure and paranormal activity.
Roy's Motel and Cafe (2015-06-09) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
7. Amboy, California
Located in the Mojave Desert, Amboy is best known for Roy’s Motel and Cafe, which is the only site that remains open in Amboy. Its neon sign and retro-futuristic design harken back to Route 66’s golden era when the town catered to thousands of visitors and a few hundred residents.
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Tourism declined and the town was deserted after Interstate 40 bypassed it in the 1970s.
Ghost towns along Route 66 reflect the changing nature of the Mother Road. For those who still live in one, the preservation of Route 66 is essential to their livelihood and survival. Towns where where only structures remain,remind us how the United States' evolving relationship with the automobile has a real and lasting impact on our communities.
Learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation's campaign to preserve Route 66, sign our petition to advocate for the Mother Road, and then share your Route 66 story with us.
Explore other stories on the Mother Road
8 Roadside Attractions Along Route 66
10 Stops to see the Natural Wonders of Route 66
Marianne Dhenin is an award-winning journalist and historian. View their portfolio and contact them at mariannedhenin.com. Read the story on SavingPlaces.org.
This story is made possible by the generosity of David and Julia Uihlein.
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