Town of Newberry Springs

abandoned house

Article and pictures by Natasha Petrosova 

The History of Newberry Springs can be dated back to 20, 000yerars.  Digs at the Early Man site found tools here dating prior to 20, 000 BC.  Back in a day  , most of this land was covered by the prehistoric  Lake Manix.  then, around 18, 000 BC , a massive earthquake caused the lake to be drained through what is now known as Afton Canyon  , also known as a Grand Canyon of the Mojave.  Early humans are thought to lived and hunted here where the swamps and marshes remained.  Because of a lot of water and food the region was inhabited throughout the centuries by various indigenous peoples  .  Modern man now enjoys the underground water source for both agriculture and recreation .  

First settlers discovered the oasis following old Indian trails.  It was in 1885, shortly after Santa Fe railroad laid tracks here, that the site began to supply potable water for arid points east, filling the tanks at section houses used by the steam locomotives.  at that time the town was called Water.  The completion of Route 66 further helped the area to grow.   The town by then was called Newberry.  Its water supply was a welcome respite for travelers on Route 66.  1950s were Newberry's hey-days and the town had five gas stations, four motels , five cafes, three bars, one grocery store, a general store and even a public swimming pool. During this period , Walter Knott, of Knott's Berry Farm , contracted with local farmers  here to supply the chickens for his famous restaurant in Buena Park.  In 1967 The town's name was changed from Newberry to Newberry Springs because the original name was causing confusion with mail often ending up in Newberry Park, California. 

After Interstate 40 was completed it was a deathblow to Newberry Springs as well as many small towns along Route 66.  Today Newberry Springs serves local and adventurous people who wander off the Interstate.  It is a nice stop for rest and refreshments.  Newberry Springs is also famous for its Bagdad Cafe from 1988 movie of the same name and serves as one of the road site attractions.  

abandoned houses 

It seems that someone was building this house and then juts stopped  

this dog from near by house was following us , i fell in love with him and wanted to take him home.

 would of been nice kitchen 

 living room 

 Bagdad cafe from the movie "Bagdad Cafe" 

abandoned motel from the movie "Bagdad Cafe "

 pitbull behind the fence on a metal chain seemed dangerous 

abandoned gas station 

 abandoned house 

 interior

 bedroom , we had a feeling that someone started living here 

 kitchen? 

 outside shower 

 fire place on a patio was a nice touch 

front patio 

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.  

the motel from the movie "Bagdad Cafe", Newberry Springs

motel interior 

Root 66