El Rancho Motel -- Barstow CA
N 34° 53.918 W 117° 01.601
11S E 497562 N 3861801
The El Rancho Hotel at 112 E Main St on old Rte 66, which has been here since 1944. DO NOT DRIVE IN HERE IT'S NOT SAFE TO VISIT ON-SITE.
Waymark Code: WMQVVR
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/02/2016
Views: 13
We drove in to take a look at the Rte 66 display, which featured an attractive display of Rte 66 shields from different states and a sign that told about this historic motel. That particular sign reads as follows:
"HISTORIC ROUTE 66
EL RANCHO MOTEL
Location of 1st two Barstow High Schools 1915-1939
El Rancho Auto Court
-- Junction of Hwy. 91 and 66 1944-Present
Motel built with railroad ties of Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
Sponsored by the Mojave River Valley Museum
Barstow Chamber of Commerce and El Rancho Motel"
Although the El Rancho looks welcoming for Rte 66 tourists, in reality it is a haven for criminals and sex workers. Within 20 seconds of our arrival we were challenged from across the parking lot by a drug dealer, and a prostitute near him raised her miniskirt to us.
The majority of the rooms look like they are being rented as apartments by long-term tenants with severe life issues, where the next step down is a highway overpass. This is a sad and dangerous place, but nevertheless, this is a part of Route 66 history and deserves to be waymarked.
For these reasons, we recommend a drive-by photo ONLY. For purposes of a visit to this WM, we will accept a photo only of the El Rancho sign, from anywhere it can be seen. We can't even recommend a stop outside the motel for a photo. This entire area is very rough.
Be aware that information on the internet about this being a gem of a place to stay is WAYY out of date.
Americana: Motel/Hotel
Significant Interest: Other Icon
Milestone or Marker: Other Icon
Web Site Address: [Web Link]
Address of Icon:
112 E Main St
Barstow, CA
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