Ghosts Of Route 66

Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, is a historic highway that crosses eight states in the US, from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along its 2,448 miles, there are many attractions, landmarks and scenic views that attract millions of travelers every year. But there is also a darker side to Route 66, a side that is haunted by ghosts, mysteries and legends.

Some of these ghosts are the remnants of the past, the abandoned towns and buildings that once thrived on the road but were left behind when the interstate system bypassed them. These ghost towns are like frozen snapshots of a bygone era, where you can still see the signs of life that once filled them: old cars, gas pumps, motels, diners and shops. Some of these ghost towns are well-preserved and open to visitors, such as Oatman in Arizona, where you can feed the wild burros that roam the streets, or Calico in California, where you can explore the silver mines and watch gunfights and gold panning demonstrations. Others are more decayed and desolate, such as Glenrio in Texas, where only a few crumbling structures remain, or Hofflins in Missouri, where nature has reclaimed the land.

Some of these ghosts are more supernatural, the spirits of people who died or suffered on the road or near it. Some of these spirits are friendly and harmless, such as Angel Delgadillo, the 93-year-old barber who still cuts hair in Seligman, Arizona, and who is considered one of the guardians of Route 66. Others are more sinister and scary, such as La Llorona, the weeping woman who haunts the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and who is said to drown children who wander near the water. Some of these spirits are mysterious and unexplained, such as the Hornet Spook Light, a glowing orb that appears on a rural road near Quapaw, Oklahoma, and that has baffled scientists and locals for over a century.

If you are brave enough to explore the ghosts of Route 66, you will find a rich and diverse history that spans cultures, eras and genres. You will also find stories that will make you wonder, shiver and maybe even believe. Route 66 is more than just a road; it is a journey into the unknown.