"Route 66" Goffs, California

Roger and I enjoy exploring the sites along Route 66. We especially enjoy ghost towns and outdoor museums. On a recent roadtrip to visit family in California we came upon a "near" ghost town, Goffs, California located near Needles, Califoria.

Goffs, a tiny railroad town, might well have disappeared if it weren't for the efforts of the Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association. This dedicated organization has established a museum for cultural artifacts of the Mojave Desert. To house the collection, the group raised $150,000 to restore the Goffs Schoolhouse, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in October, 2001.

The museum was closed the day we visited; however, a very kind and informed volunteer allowed us in to take a self-guided tour and to take pictures.

The one-room Goffs Schoolhouse was built in 1914. For 23 years it served as a school as well as a community center. The Mission-style building hosted dances as well as a branch of the county library. The school closed in 1937, and soon after the building was repurposed as a canteen for the Desert Training Center, the largest Army training facility in the United States during World War II. Today, the former schoolhouse is a museum owned and managed by the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association.

In 1857, the War Department ordered that the Mojave Indian Trail be used as a wagon road from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean. It became known as the Mojave Road.

Fort Pah-Ute was established at this location for the protection of travelers and the U.S. Mail over the Mojave Road. The outpost existed from November 27, 1867 to May 3, 1868 when it was ordered abandoned.

Fort Pah-Ute:

Goff's museum is situated along the original Route 66. This place is a bit quirky in a fun way and hosts the original Mojave Road School Bus among many other interesting artifacts.

Goffs is worth a visit for anyone following the path of historic Route 66. Bring your lunch and eat at the Flywheel Cafe and walk the "old dusty path" lined with signs and artifacts from days gone by.

For more information, visit The Goffs Schoolhouse and Cultural Center on Historic Route 66 - AmericanWestTravel.com