Chambless, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chambless
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The National Trails Highway (and historic Route 66) as seen in Chambless, close to the road heading to Cadiz.
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 Chambless
Location in California
Chambless
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
92319
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| Area code(s) | 760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 240463 |
Chambless is a ghost town located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. A ghost town is a place where almost no one lives anymore. It is south of Interstate 40 and sits right on the historic Route 66.
Chambless is found east of the Bullion Mountains. It is also ten miles east of Amboy Crater and the town of Amboy, California. The area's ZIP Code is 92319. The community uses the 760 area code for phones. It is just 3 miles north of the railroad town of Cadiz.
A Look at Chambless History
Chambless was first known as Chambless Station. It was one of several "alphabet towns" along U.S. Route 66. These towns had water towers for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway trains.
Chambless as a Travel Stop
Over time, Chambless became a popular stop for people traveling on Route 66. Motorists and tourists would often visit. However, when I-40 opened in 1973, most travelers took the new highway. This meant fewer people stopped in Chambless. Because of this, the town slowly became a ghost town.
Life in Chambless
In 2005, a sign at the town's entrance said only six people lived there. There was also one dog! A special marker near the town tells the story of these "alphabet towns."
Chambless was also home to the 'Roadrunner Cafe'. This cafe had a very large and tall sign. It was a well-known spot for travelers. The Roadrunner Cafe finally closed its doors sometime in the 1970s.
