Newberry Springs, CA
Newberry Springs is a desert community and historic railroad station located about 20 miles east-southeast of Barstow in the Mojave Desert. The area has long been known for its dependable springs, which made it an important stop for early travel and later for railroad development.
On February 19, 1883, during construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad, a post office named Watson was established at the construction camp at present-day Newberry Springs. It was named for Josiah Watson, the first postmaster, and was discontinued on July 25, 1883. At the same time, the railroad established a station named Newberry, and after the Watson post office closed, that name came into general use.
A post office named Newberry was briefly reestablished on March 11, 1899, and discontinued on June 15, 1899. On October 12, 1911, the name was changed to Wagner, honoring Madge Wagner, a landowner, grocer, and postmistress. On July 9, 1919, the name was changed again to Water. This name was given by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway because between 300,000 and 600,000 gallons of water per day were pumped there for railroad use. Finally, on February 1, 1967, the community was officially named Newberry Springs.
The origin of the name Newberry is uncertain. One account tells of two brothers named Newberry who lived at the springs, one of whom was killed in a dispute over water rights and buried on a nearby hill. A more widely accepted explanation is that the area was named for John Strong Newberry, a physician and naturalist with the 1857 expedition of Joseph Christmas Ives.
Because of its reliable water supply, Newberry Springs was a vital stop for pioneer wagon trains and later became an essential water source for railroads crossing the arid Mojave. The area supported artificial lakes, agriculture, and ranching, and it continues to reflect that heritage.
Nearby land and early development in the Mojave River Valley were associated with Dix Van Dyke, a prominent local historian and ranching figure based in Daggett. His family's holdings, commonly referred to as the Van Dyke Ranch, extended into parts of the surrounding region and are part of the broader historical landscape connected with Newberry Springs.
Notable sites in and around Newberry Springs include the Bagdad Cafe (formerly the Sidewinder Cafe), Newberry Cave, Troy Lake, Lake Dolores, and remnants of old U.S. Route 66. The Cliff House along Route 66 is one of several surviving landmarks reflecting the mid-20th-century travel era.
Long valued for its water and location, Newberry Springs remains one of the Mojave Desert's enduring historic communities, shaped by springs, railroads, and desert settlement.
Bagdad Cafe (formerly Sidewinder Cafe)
Troy Lake
Newberry Cave
Lake Dolores
Cliff House
Newberry Springs also features natural attractions like lakes and volcanic formations, providing a scenic backdrop to the historic route. The community has often been associated with the quieter, more untouched aspects of Route 66, offering a glimpse into the less commercialized side of this historic road.