Oro Grande, Cal - Rt. 66
Exploratography Date: September 21 of 2014
I'm guessing that Oro Grande was once a busy little place, with Route 66 travelers stopping here for a rest, a bite of food or some gas so they could continue along their way. There are a number of old buildings here that obviously date back to the 1940s and 1950s, built when Route 66 was in its prime. A few are still in use, some are abandoned, some closed down, some in ruins.
Oro Grande traces its history to the early 1850s, when ex-army Captain, J.H. Lane established a trading post in the area. It was a key site, as the Mojave Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, the Mormon Trail and the Spanish Trail all converged in the general area to access the nearby Cajon Pass. When gold was discovered, more people came and settled in. When the gold played out, a limestone quarry kept the town busy. In the early 1900s, a cement plant began operations and still continues to this day.
On this visit in 2014, time was pressing and the only place I stopped to photo was the old Mohawk Gas and Mini Mart. It looks like it hasn't been open for many years and is slowly fading and rusting away. It's located right on the National Old Trails Road/Route 66 and can't be missed if you're driving through town.
-
GoPro or Go Home - Joshua Tree National Park https://t.co/TJAShuigdc -
The Barbed Wire Trail - Joshua Tree National Park https://t.co/o0FKwmB68R
