Formerly known as the Will Rogers Highway or the Mother Road, Route 66 is one of the first highways within the US Highway system. It was established on November 11, 1926 and quickly became one of the most popular roads in the country. Route 66 ran from Chicago, Illinois to Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona — covering a total of 2,448 miles.
60 years after being in service, Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985. And with that, several towns along the Route 66 were abandoned because of the decline in motorists. The abandoned areas became ghost towns, picturesque establishments from a different era standing frozen in time. These ghost towns became a part of Route 66’s revival, having become a great tourist attraction themselves. If you’re planning to check out these ghost towns, we’ve listed down four of the best in the area:
Glenrio, Texas
Situated along the border between Texas and New Mexico, Glenrio is a forgotten town that served as the symbol of Route 66 at the height of its popularity. This ghost town is great for travelers who want to learn more about the history of Texas as well as visit authentic, western-style hotels and gas stations. It’s a picturesque ghost town but it doesn’t get a lot of visitors. Must-visit places in Glenrio include the old Endee Motor Court ruins as well asabandoned bars and diners.
Afton, Oklahoma
The empty streets and abandoned buildings in Afton, Oklahoma, serve as a great reminder of Route 66’s golden years. The town has a lot of old buildings similar to the ones you see in the movies. Although it’s a ghost town, there are several motels in there catering to tourists.
Erick, Oklahoma
Erick, Oklahoma is home to one of the best—not to mention unique—roadside establishments over Route 66. This town features buildings that cast long shadows on the highway, memorabilia stores, truck shops, and coffee shops stood abandoned. One of the main attractions of Erick is the Sandhills Curiosity Shop, which features hundreds of antique furnishings, books, and snapshots of roadies who stopped by this once busy town.
Spencer, Missouri
This roadside town features an old truss bridge erected on the very year the highway was launched. The Johnson creek weaves underneath the old truss bridge and beyond that, several groups of buildings that will take you back in time. Must-visit places in the area include the vintage Philips gasoline pumps, retro barber shops, a church, and stone buildings.
Newkirk, New Mexico
Technically, Newkirk isn’t a ghost town because a handful of people still live there. But we’re including this town on the list because the area is filled with old and abandoned gas stations and stores as well as buildings and establishments that belong in a different time. Newkirk is hardly bustling because it’s largely neglected and major parts of it are abandoned but it’s definitely one of the best ghost towns in Route 66!