Siberia, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siberia
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 Siberia
Location in California
Siberia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Elevation | 1,283 ft (391 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
92357
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| Area codes | 442/760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1661437 |
Siberia is a fascinating ghost town located in the Mojave Desert in California. It's found in San Bernardino County, along the famous historic Route 66. This old road connects towns like Bagdad and Ludlow.
For many years, Siberia was an important stop. It served as a place for trains to get water and a spot where cars could pull over on Route 66. It also had a rail siding, which is a short track where trains can wait or be loaded.
What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. People leave ghost towns for many reasons. This can happen when the main reason for the town's existence disappears.
For example, a mine might close, or a new road might bypass the area. When people leave, buildings and homes are often left behind. These places can be quite interesting to explore.
Siberia's Location and History
Siberia is in the Mojave Desert, a large dry area in the southwestern United States. It is part of San Bernardino County, California. The town's exact location is known by its ZIP code 92357. It also uses area codes 442 and 760 for phone numbers.
Siberia was once a key stop for the Santa Fe Railroad. Trains needed to refill their water tanks here. It was also a popular place for drivers traveling on U.S. Route 66. This road was one of America's first major highways.
Why Siberia Became a Ghost Town
Siberia started to fade away after 1973. This was when Interstate 40 opened. This new, bigger highway was built to go around Siberia. When the new highway opened, most travelers no longer passed through the town.
This meant fewer people stopped, and businesses closed down. Over time, the town became empty. By 2001, almost all signs of Siberia had been removed. Today, there is very little left to see of this historic desert stop.
