California Through My Lens - An Antique Paradise in Oro Grande on Old Route 66

Some of the best places to shop for antiques in Southern California are located in the Mojave Desert town of Oro Grande. Situated along historic Route 66, Oro Grande is home to Antique Station, All Aboard Antiques, Shelley's Shop Around the Corner, and Lona's Treasures. Each of these four shops is a treasure trove of rare and hard-to-find items.

You can find some amazing things in Oro Grande. My wife loves to share the story of how she discovered a rare Japanese tin robot in a cabinet filled with trinkets. We bought it for just $15, but it was worth several hundred dollars! My wife always brags about that find.

Shopping there is always a delightful experience, and we never leave any of these shops empty-handed.

Oro Grande, like many towns along the famous Route 66, has a fascinating history. Located near the Mojave River, this area was once home to Native American communities hundreds of years ago. The river served as part of a trade route known as the Mohave Trail, which connected tribes from the Colorado River to those living along the Southern California coast. Over the years, this trail was used by Spanish explorers, soldiers, and later by American fur trappers and traders from New Mexico. 

In the 1830s, after the U.S. gained control of California following the Mexican-American War, Mormon pioneers established a wagon road connecting Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. This road crossed the Mojave River at a spot that came to be known as Lane's Crossing, named after Aaron G. Lane, who set up a ranch and store there in 1859. This became the first settlement on the Mojave River. Lane eventually sold his ranch in 1865 and moved further down the river.

In January 1873, miners discovered rich deposits of gold and silver in Silver Mountain, east of Lane's ranch. This discovery led to the creation of the Silver Mountain Mining District. By 1880, more significant silver and gold strikes were found nearby, leading to the establishment of the Red Mountain Gold and Silver Mining District and the founding of the mining town of Oro Grande, located about two miles downriver from Lane's old crossing. The town got its name from the first mine discovered there, called the Oro Grande Mine.

The first homes in Oro Grande were built, and a post office named Halleck was established in January 1881. A stamp mill was set up near the river to process ore from the mines, and this facility was also later used for nearby Calico mines. From 1887 onward, limestone quarries were opened, producing lime for cement. By 1907, cement production began in Oro Grande, and marble was also mined from the area. 

On May 25, 1927, the post office's name was officially changed to Oro Grande. Today, a historic site known as the World War II Silver Peak Light Annex is located nearby, adding to the town's rich history.

It is now just a shadow of its former self. Apart from a handful of antique stores and a pizza restaurant, the businesses along the old highway have mostly been abandoned. Since the construction of the I-15 freeway several miles away, there hasn't been a need for the gas stations and motels anymore, so they have simply faded away. 

Nostalgia seekers who venture down old Route 66 will be rewarded if they discover these truly wonderful and unique shops basking in the hot, dry California desert sunshine. 

As a side note, if you love trains, Oro Grande is a great spot to watch trains zoom past. They really fly through the area, and the vibrations can make the shop windows rattle. It's a fun experience!

- Ken Hulsey

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