As much as we love to write about Route 66 on this website, there’s no denying that the road has long past its heyday. Just a few decades ago, Route 66 was a bustling hotbed of activity. Entire towns were built up to cater to the legions of travelers making the epic journey. Nowadays? Well, the number of people heading along Route 66 has plummeted, which means many of the major attractions and some of those towns have disappeared. In fact, head along Route 66 (and we hope you do), and you’ll see plenty of Route 66 ghost towns, empty or sparsely populated reminders of the route’s past.
There are quite a few of those ghost towns along the route—proper lonely places along Route 66. We will introduce you to 15 of the eeriest.
Do note that we shall be a little bit loose with the definition of a ghost town here. Technically, a ghost town has 0 inhabitants. Very few of these places are that low. However, the populations of all these places have declined so much over the years that they are essentially ghost towns.
15 Abandoned Towns on Route 66
Table of Contents
Oklahoma
1. Texola, Oklahoma
Texola is one of the few ghost towns on Route 66 that is seeing a rise in population, although, with just 43 people living there at the last census, it’s hardly a metropolis. While Texola was around since the early 1900s, it grew in size rapidly during the heyday of Route 66. The community heavily invested in amenities for the travelers, but it wasn’t to last. From a peak of nearly 600 residents, Texola was down to a shade over 100 in the late 1980s. Driving through can be quite eerie. If you’re lucky, you might spot a resident or two. The Magnolia Service Station is a ‘major’ landmark in Texola. You might also want to look at the One Room Jail, built in the 1800s. It’s just a tiny room, but it does show that this place was hardly ever bustling with life if it only needed a single jail cell.
Also Check: Route 66 Stops in Oklahoma
2. Depew, Oklahoma
With a population over 400, Depew is significantly larger than Texola. However, the population is still just a fraction of what it was a couple of decades ago. When you head to Depew, it is clear that the town was built around the idea of Route 66 (although it did exist before Route 66). There are very few businesses operating here now, and Depew really feels like a roadside town. One, you don’t stop in for long but just stock up on supplies. It doesn’t feel empty, as the residents are packed into a rather small area, but you can tell the town is on its last legs.
California
3. Chambless, CA
At the last count (and this was a very long time ago), Chambless had a population of 6 people and a single dog. Nowadays, it is one of the many abandoned places on Route 66. Chambless was originally founded as a train station when steam trains were on their way to Needles. It was one of many stopovers on the route to help refill the trains’ water. Back then, it was just known as Cadiz. Eventually, the town of Chambless sprung up around it.
When the steam engines started to die off, people figured Chambless would go with them. Luckily for the population, Route 66 gave it a new lease of life. That then went, too. While Chambless was never really that big, there are still plenty of old, abandoned buildings scattered around. The Roadrunner’s Retreat, an old restaurant in the area, is currently being refurbished by volunteers. However, most of the rest of the town is in ruins and will likely remain like that forever.
4. Goffs, Mojave Desert, California
Goffs is another town on the route to Needles. Many of the workers on the Santa Fe Railroad were stationed here. The population is now just 20, although it got a small, new lease of life for the short period that Route 66 passed through. Nowadays, many of the buildings are abandoned. It did have a huge, historic general store until 2021, but unfortunately, it burned down. Nowadays, the prime attraction is a historic schoolhouse that now showcases the history of Goffs as a mining town.
5. Calico Ghost Town, California
Calico Ghost Town on Route 66 is the only ghost town on Route 66 that is actually called a ghost town. This is also one of the only places that didn’t get a resurgence because of Route 66. It had long been a ghost town by that point. Back in the 1800s, Calico was a bustling silver mining town. Eventually, the silver mining industry died off, and people left Calico. By the 1950s, the town was empty. A savvy investor decided to buy the town. Many old buildings were rebuilt (just 5 of the originals were left by this point), and the town was then open to the public. So, if you’re on Route 66 and want to see a proper old town, head to Calico.
Read Next: Must-see Route 66 Stops in California
6. Amboy, California
The population of Amboy is now officially 0, although up until 2020, it had 4 people living there. In the past, it was a major stop on Route 66. It was famed for Roy’s Motel and Cafe, which, while no longer open, is currently being restored. Not many buildings remain in Amboy. The only business that remains is a gas station. There are people trying to save Amboy, but since the major routes now completely bypass the town, we have no idea how likely that is to happen. For now, it remains a relic of Route 66’s past.
Texas
7. Alanreed, Texas
Alanreed has a population of under 30 people. It’s actually one of the few ghost towns of Route 66 that has bounced back a little, not so much in terms of population. That is dreadfully low. However, in the late 1970s, no businesses were located in Alanreed. The place now has a post office alongside a gas station. The approach to Alanreed features an old cemetery, which shows that this place once had a bustling population. All that remains now is just a few buildings and over 100 years of history.
Check Next: Route 66 in Texas: Must-See Stops, Hotels & Motels
8. Glenrio, Texas/New Mexico
While Glenrio is now one of the virtually deserted Route 66 ghost towns, it has a fascinating history, thanks to the place on the border of Texas and New Mexico. For example, at one point, gas in the town was only sold in Texas due to lower taxes. Alcohol was only sold on the New Mexico side of the town due to Texas being dry. This is one of the true Route 66 towns, too. It had its heyday between the 1950s and 1970s, going into decline when major roads started to bypass Glenrio. It is now a mixture of abandoned businesses (hotels and gas stations, mostly) with a population of 0. It has been designated a historical landmark, though. In 2007, a welcome center was built to introduce people to the history of the town.
New Mexico
9. Newkirk, New Mexico
The population of Newkirk is now just 8, and there is every expectation that it will eventually fall to 0. Back in the 1930s, it was a bustling village that thrived heavily on the traffic from Route 66. It boasted a major trading post, motels, and multiple gas stations. Nowadays, that’s all gone. Newkirk now has just a few homes and a post office. There is a small service station for those who follow Route 66 through this area, but it is rarely used nowadays.
Arizona
10. Two Guns, Arizona
Two Guns has been populated for centuries, with white settlers setting up shop in the area back in the 19th century. It has had a bit of a history, too. The Navajo mass murdered fleeing Apaches back in the 1800s (and the cave where this massacre happened still exists), and Billy the Kid holed up just down the road. Oh, and there was a major train robbery in the area, too. While Two Guns was established in the 1800s, it really took off when Route 66 passed through the area. It was a significant milestone. Nowadays, it has a population of 0 and is a hub of ruined buildings (including a ruined zoo). Creepy!
11. Truxton, Arizona
With a population of around 100, Truxton isn’t quite a ghost town yet, but it certainly seems to be getting that way. Truxton was essentially built to be a Route 66 town back in the 1950s. The first hotel opened here in 1951. There is also a cool cafe here. While there are businesses still open in Truxton, it is clear the town has seen better days. Who knows how long it will be around?
See Next: Best Stops on Route 66 in Arizona
12. Hackberry, Arizona
Hackberry has been on death’s door several times, each time coming back from the brink. Although, we doubt it will ever be the same as it used to be. Hackberry now has just 100 residents, a good chunk of them descending from the same family (Grigg) who want to ensure that Hackberry continues to exist. Many of the buildings around the Route 66 days are gone (there were a lot of service stations here), but a general store with a collection of vintage cars remains.
13. Oatman, Arizona
In 1915, the population of the old mining town of Oatman was 3500. Today, it stands at just 102. However, you’ll almost always see people wandering around the streets as Oatman has become known as a decent old West town to visit, and since it looks similar to what it looked like back in the day, scores of people love to explore. Wild burros also roam the streets, which is interesting. While Oatman is essentially dead as a functioning town, it may continue to pull in visitors for years yet as a tourist attraction.
Illinois
14. Funk’s Grove, Illinois
Funk’s Grove is still very much visited, although not so much due to the town (which barely existed in the first place), but because the place where the community is is so beautiful. Funk’s Grove is a collection of beautiful tree groves, much of which are ancient woodlands, with small buildings scattered between them (including a gorgeous chapel). Funk’s Grove is a must-visit if you want a ghost town that is a touch different from the other ghost towns.
Missouri
15. Spencer, Missouri
Spencer, Missouri, was a town that almost disappeared in the early 1900s. The fortunes changed in 1925 when a savvy investor heard that Route 66 would pass through the area, making it a great place to set up shop. This investor, Sydney Casey, built many of the buildings that are still standing in Spencer. Many of them closed down in the 1950s when Spencer was bypassed. These buildings are currently being restored, though. A few hundred people pass through the village every weekend. A far cry from the heyday in the 30s and 40s, but better than most ghost towns on Route 66.
Conclusion
As a large route that has seen better days, there are way more ghost towns on Route 66 than we listed here. In fact, some of the old towns have nothing remaining of them at all. If you are lucky enough to travel Route 66, keep an eye out for these old communities. Try to imagine what they were like when the hustle and bustle happened. While they won’t ever thrive in the same way they did, travelers like you can help to keep them alive. Enjoy them while they still exist.