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 the 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.

681 N 1st Ave,
Barstow, CA 92311
P:  760-255-1890
Email: barstowmuseum@yahoo.com

Route 66 Mother Road Museum Admission:

Donation
Plan: 1hr

Route 66 Mother Road Museum Hours:

Permanently Closed

route66museum.org

Image via Brendan Kiely

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Small Wonders Micro/Mini Car Museum displays the car collection so that you may view, visit, and enjoy these little cars in a relaxed setting. The library, research, and conference centers preserve historical records and books and offer restorers good and original information on all Micro Cars worldwide.

Small Wonders Micro/Mini Car Museum provides detailed information on the cars and wall art to complement the displays as well.

3515 Oak Ridge Rd
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
P: 815-236-1650
E: knsweger@mc.net

Small Wonders Micro/Mini Car Museum Admission:

Donation

Plan: <1 hr

Small Wonders Micro/Mini Car Museum Hours:

Between May & July
Saturdays 10 AM – 11:30AM CST
1 PM – 2:30 PM CST

microcargarage.com

Image via Nicky Ya Ya

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*Closed July 7, 2024*

The Murphy Auto Museum houses a collection of nearly 50 stunning Classic, Vintage, and Antique Cars from America’s past. It is also the only Auto Museum in the nation with a stand-alone art gallery called The Fireball Gallery featuring 8-10 amazing Automotive Artists from SoCal.

Plus, there is an awesome Tiki lounge, diecast collection, and massive HO Scale Train Set!

1930 Eastman Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030
P: 805-487-4333
Email: fireballtimrides@aol.com

Murphy Auto Museum Admission:

Adults $10
12 and under free, military free
Plan: 1hr

Murphy Auto Museum Hours:

Closed

murphyautomuseum.org

Image via https://www.facebook.com/pg/murphyautomuseum/photos/

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Days Gone By started over 30 years ago when Joey started collecting and restoring tractors. His wife Kathleen Collins, an astute collector of antiques soon joined him in adding to the Museum. Together they have amassed an astounding collection of Americana.

Joey and Kathleen dreamed of creating a place where people of all ages could learn about our Great Country while seeing, and in many instances touching, the inventions spanning from the early beginnings of our Country and through the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and into the early 1900s.

122 Davis St
Portland, TN 37148
P: 615-325-2555
Email: info@daysgonebyportland.org

Days Gone By Museum Admission:

Closed
Plan: 1hr

Days Gone By Museum Hours:

Closed

daysgonebyportland.org

Image via Aumann Vintage Power 

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*The Kokomo Automotive Museum is closed*

Kokomo Automotive Museum is a collection of Haynes-Apperson, Haynes, and Apperson cars. The Museum owned three of these rare cars. The 1902 Haynes-Apperson runabout was restored from the ground up in the 1970s.

It was a prize-winner at the Antique Automobile Club of America’s national meet in Hershey, PA in the 1970s and 1980s. The 1923 Haynes Model 55 sport sedan is the only one of its kind in existence.

Its history can be traced back to 1926, when purchased by its second owner. “Special Interest Autos” ran two articles on it in the 1990s and early 2000s. The third local car owned by the museum is a 1923 Haynes Model 75 touring car.

With the help of the Community Foundation of Howard County, this stunning maroon and black gem was purchased from the estate of Dave Griffey, one of the Museum’s founders.

Besides these rare cars, the museum also displays a replica of the 1894 Haynes Pioneer as it appeared c.1896, a 1900 Haynes-Apperson runabout, a 1915 Apperson Jackrabbit roadster, a 1917 Haynes truck, a 1918 Haynes Cloverleaf roadster, a 1919 Haynes chassis, a pair of 1921 Haynes touring cars, a 1923 Apperson touring car, and a very rare 1924 Haynes Model 60 touring car.

After 20 years, the Kokomo Automotive Museum is now closed.  The gift shop will remain open for business from 10 am to 4 pm through Friday, May 18.  The museum will reopen at a new location with a new focus at a future date.

P.O. Box 1273
Kokomo, IN 46903
P: 773-685-1904

Image via https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kokomo-Automotive-Museum-189231071158082/

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The Schildberg Antique Car Museum is a small but varied collection from the estate of Dennis Schildberg, a local auto collector and restorer. The cars are used for community events, and the exhibit is open by appointment.

107 E Iowa St
Greenfield, IA 50849
P: 515-327-9213

Schildberg Antique Car Museum Admission:

Unknown
Plan: 1hr

Schildberg Antique Car Museum Hours:

Closed

Image via Facebook Randy Stamper

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