Goffs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Goffs, California
|
|
|---|---|
 Goffs, California
Location in California
Goffs, California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Elevation | 2,595 ft (791 m) |
| Population
(January 2009)
|
|
| • Total | 23 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
92332
|
| Area codes | 442/760 |
| FIPS code | 071-30266 |
| GNIS feature ID | 242776 |
Goffs is a small, quiet place in San Bernardino County, California. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. Goffs is located in the Mojave Desert, a very dry and hot area.
This community was once a busy railroad town. It was also a popular stop on the famous U.S. Route 66. Today, Goffs is known as the "Desert Tortoise Capital of the World."
Contents
History of Goffs
Early Days and Name Change
Goffs was first called Blake from 1893 to 1902. It was named after Isaac Blake. He was the person who built the Nevada Southern Railway. This railway later became the California Eastern Railway. The railway started right here in Goffs.
Railroad and Route 66
Goffs was an important stop for the Santa Fe Railroad. Many railroad workers lived here. It was also a key stop on U.S. Route 66. This famous road was used by travelers across America. In 1931, a new, more direct road opened. This new road went between Needles and Essex. After that, Goffs became less busy.
Historic Buildings and Museum
Goffs once had a large general store. This store was the biggest building in town. Sadly, a fire destroyed it on June 8, 2021.
There is also a historic schoolhouse in Goffs. It was built in 1914. By the early 1980s, the schoolhouse was falling apart. But a group called the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association (MDHCA) worked hard to fix it. They rebuilt it to look just like it did originally.
Today, the schoolhouse and its grounds are a museum. The museum mostly shows the history of mining in the area. You can still see signs of Goffs's mining past around the town.
Goffs During World War II
During World War II, Goffs played an important role. It was home to Camp Goffs. This was a large depot and training center for the United States Army. Soldiers would train here before going overseas.
Location and Travel
Getting to Goffs
You can reach Goffs from Interstate 40. You take the exit for U.S. Highway 95 north. Then, you turn left onto Goffs Road. This road was part of the original US 66 before 1931.
Goffs Road Journey
Goffs Road is a long, quiet stretch of about 40 miles (64 km). Along this road, you can find the remains of towns that have mostly disappeared. These include places like Bannock, Ibis, and Homer. If you keep driving west on Goffs Road, you will eventually return to Interstate 40 at Fenner.
Goffs Road is even famous! It was shown in the very first scene of the 1984 movie Repo Man.
Geography of the Area
Goffs is located at the base of the Piute Mountains. It is also at the southern end of the Lanfair Valley. This valley drains water south into the Sacramento Wash. The Sacramento Wash then flows east to meet the Piute Wash. This is just west of the Colorado River. Goffs sits on gentle slopes, called bajadas, that drain north into the Sacramento Wash.
