Forgotten Destinations: Off the Map: Ghost Town Bagdad Story

Off the Map : Bagdad Ghost Town Story
Article and Photography by Natasha Petrosova

Bagdad is a ghost town along the Historic Route 66. The town got its name in 1883 when the Southern Pacific Railroad named the station after Baghdad, Iraq (sans the "h") because of its similar inhospitable climate. The post office in this town was opened in 1889 and during those times the town was bustled with activity. It had a telegraph office, hotels, school , library and a Harvey House restaurant.

Bagdad became an important stop along the train route . Water was brought from near by Newberry Springs daily in 20-car trains. The Bagdad stop also provided coal and fuel oil . During mining boom 1900-1910 Bagdad was a station used to ship out product from the Orange Blossom and War Eagle mines. At the time of its boom, Bagdad had about 600 residents .

When the mining in the area played out, Bagdad started to decline. A fire of 1918 destroyed some wooden buildings. In 1923 the post office was closed and in 1937 the library closed. Former Bagdad's residents still remember the town's hey- days when Bagdad Cafe was the only place for miles around to get a drink and a dance floor. It was known as a lively place back in a day.

Since Iraq invaded Kuwait, many photographers, explorers and curious motorists passing through the Mojave Desert stop to ask the way to Bagdad, California , the little ghost town that was named after the Middle Eastern capital. There is a mark on a map that shows the location of the city , but no one can find it. So where is it? Well, Bagdad is no longer . The town completely faded into history. The last buildings were demolished in 1991. All that is left of this town is the memories. I guess the mark on a map is for acknowledgement and historical significance , just to say, yes, once there was a town named Bagdad.

Bagdad Cafe was an inspiration for 1988 movie of the same name. However, the film was shot at the Spiderwinder Cafe in Newberry Springs , that later changed its name to Bagdad Cafe.

Bagdad Cafe from the movie is still functioning and it serves as a lovely stop for tourists and visitors. It's a great place to stop for refreshments. The motel from the movie still stands but it is abandoned .

One interesting fact about Bagdad that it stands true to its name and reputation being inhospitable . From October 3, 1912 to November 8, 1914 the town Bagdad was known as the driest place ever in the United States - 767 days without a drop of rain.