Victorville city feature
About this landmark
A museum celebrating America's most iconic highway
The California Route 66 Museum is located at 16825 D Street in Old Town Victorville. The museum occupies a 5,000-square-foot building that was formerly the Red Rooster Cafe. It opened on November 11, 1995, established by Old Town Victorville Heritage Preservation, Inc., and continues to operate with support from volunteers, donors, and patrons. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. The museum sits in the heart of Old Town Victorville, the historic district where Route 66 is marked on D Street and Seventh Street.
History of the building and the museum
The building serving as the museum has its own connection to American entertainment history. In 1980, it served as a filming location for the motion picture "The Jazz Singer." The Red Rooster Cafe previously occupied the site, which sits across from the location of Victorville's former railroad depot—the original town center—which burned down in 1983. The loss of the depot marked a significant change in Victorville's geography and identity.
Old Town Victorville Heritage Preservation, Inc. established the museum to share the history of U.S. Route 66 and preserve the buildings and stories of the area. The organization's volunteers and supporters continue to maintain the museum and fulfill its mission to educate visitors about the highway's place in American history and culture. The museum serves as a center for understanding Route 66's economic impact on communities like Victorville.
Visiting the museum today
The museum features three display rooms and a gift shop. Exhibits trace Route 66 from the time of early pioneer trails and railroads, with historic photographs and artifacts documenting the highway's economic and cultural impact on communities along the route. The exhibitions are constantly changing, offering returning visitors new perspectives on this iconic American highway and its role in American commerce and leisure travel throughout the twentieth century.
Among the museum's distinctive displays is a scale model of Hulaville, the late Miles Mahan's roadside folk-art environment, along with the original "Hula Girl" sign rescued from that site. Visitors to the museum find a welcoming space to explore Route 66's legacy. The roadside-attraction guide Roadside America rates the museum worth a visit, recognizing its value to collectors and enthusiasts of Route 66 history and American roadside culture.
Insurance connection: Drivers on historic highways
For those traveling California's highways, auto insurance requirements are essential. California law requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Drivers must carry proof of financial responsibility or risk citation and license suspension. Insurance companies must provide "Good Driver" discounts of at least 20 percent for drivers with three-plus years of licensing. An insurer may cancel a policy only for fraud, misrepresentation, non-payment, or substantial increase in hazard. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: The California Historic Route 66 Association, the encyclopedia entry, and Roadside America confirm these details.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.