May 7-May 13, 2025 🍇📅

Vol. 1, Issue 22: A Hidden Gem on Route 66

Rediscovering Rancho Cucamonga’s Historic Service Station on Route 66

Tucked between modern storefronts and suburban sprawl on Foothill Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga lies a piece of Americana so rare that most people drive right past it without noticing it. But for those who stop and look closer, the Cucamonga Service Station tells a story that dates over a century—one of California’s last living connections to the legendary Route 66.

A Window into a Golden Era

Built in 1915, the Cucamonga Service Station is the only surviving example of its architectural style on California’s stretch of Route 66. With its distinctive Mission Revival design, complete with red-tiled roof and arched entryways, the station once served a steady stream of travelers making the cross-country pilgrimage from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Back then, gas stations weren’t the cookie-cutter chain locations we know today. They were local landmarks, each with its unique flair. This one served more than fuel—it was a meeting point, a rest stop, and a symbol of a rapidly modernizing America.

Forgotten, Then Rescued

By the 1970s, the service station had shut its doors. Years of neglect followed, and the building fell into disrepair, nearly lost to history. However, in 2009, a group of passionate locals formed the Route 66 Inland Empire California (IECA) organization with one goal: to bring the Cucamonga Service Station back to life.

Through community fundraising, volunteer work, and grants, the IECA restored the station brick by brick. Their efforts paid off in 2015, when the building reopened as a Route 66 museum, complete with vintage gas pumps, antique tools, and memorabilia from the road’s golden era.

Award-Winning Restoration

The restoration hasn’t gone unnoticed. The project earned the 2016 Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation and the 2018 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award, cementing its place as a model of community-driven historical preservation.

Today, the station draws history buffs, road-trippers, and Route 66 enthusiasts from around the world. Tour guides, often volunteers from the IECA, bring the past to life with stories of dusty road trips, early automobiles, and the boomtown spirit that once defined Rancho Cucamonga.

Why It Matters

In a city best known today for its shopping centers, wineries, and mountain views, the Cucamonga Service Station offers something uniquely rare: authenticity. It’s a reminder that Rancho Cucamonga was once a vital stop along the most iconic highway in the United States—a place where travelers refueled not just their cars, but also their sense of adventure.

So next time you’re cruising down Foothill Boulevard, slow down. Pull over. Step into a time machine made of stucco and tile, and take a moment to remember the days when the journey mattered just as much as the destination.

Heard it through the grapevine!

May 7  - May 13, 2025 Events

May 7

🧠 Trivia Night | 🕒 7:00 pm–9:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Test your brainpower and bring your crew for a fun-filled evening of trivia and friendly competition.

👥 Teen Advisory Group Meeting | 🕒 5:45 pm–7:00 pm | 📍 Online via Zoom

Open to students in grades 7–12, this virtual meeting offers a platform to share ideas and earn volunteer hours. RSVP by emailing [email protected].

🎤 Open Mic Comedy Night | 🕒 7:00 pm | 📍 The Stackz Co., 9223 Archibald Ave Unit H, Rancho Cucamonga

Get ready to laugh with FeedThatFunny during an evening of open mic comedy and craft beer.

❤️‍🔥 Heartsaver® CPR AED Class | 🕒 6:00 pm–10:00 pm | 📍 All-Risk Training Center, 11285 Jersey Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga

Gain essential lifesaving skills, including adult CPR, choking relief, and AED use. Certification is valid for two years. Registration fee: $60.

May 8

🍷 Business Happy Hour at Wine Now | 🕒 5:30 pm–8:30 pm | 📍 8419 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Bring your business cards and network over premium wine. Enter a raffle for Wine Now merch and other prizes. Must be 21+.

🎨 Paint Night: Pink Flower Dreams | 🕒 6:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Tap into your artistic side with this guided painting session. Supplies included—just bring yourself and your creativity.

📚 Mystery Bookclub | 🕒 6:00 pm–7:00 pm | 📍 Paul A. Biane Library, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga

This month's discussion focuses on mysteries by Asian American & Pacific Islander authors. Join in person or via Zoom. RSVP by emailing [email protected].

May 9

🎶 Live Music: Andy Overdrive + The Fuzz | 🕒 7:00 pm–9:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Rock out with local legends Andy Overdrive and The Fuzz during this high-energy evening of live music.

May 10

🐔 All About Chickens: Free Workshop | 🕒 9:00 am–10:00 am | 📍 The Root 66 Garden, Rancho Cucamonga

Learn how to care for backyard chickens in this fun and informative hands-on session. No registration required.

🛍️ Angel City Market | 🕒 12:00 pm–8:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Shop small and support local vendors at this outdoor market featuring handmade goods, treats, and music.

🎶 Live Music: The Mother Scratchers | 🕒 7:00 pm | 📍 The Stackz Co., 9223 Archibald Ave Unit H, Rancho Cucamonga

Catch a live set by The Mother Scratchers and enjoy good vibes with great brews.

🎭 Charlotte’s Web | 🕒 2:00 pm | 📍 Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr, Rancho Cucamonga

Bring the kids to this heartwarming stage play based on the beloved classic. Perfect for youth audiences. Runs May 10–17.

May 11

🎤 Karaoke Night | 🕒 5:00 pm | 📍 The Stackz Co., 9223 Archibald Ave Unit H, Rancho Cucamonga

Sing your heart out at BSideKaraoke’s Sunday night session—great drinks and even better energy.Business Spotlights

🧁 Pink Blossom Cupcakes – Pink Blossom Cupcakes is a home-based bakery in Rancho Cucamonga, offering beautifully crafted, floral-themed cupcakes. Founded by Debbie Saull in 2022, it’s known for moist, flavorful cupcakes perfect for any occasion.

🥤IV Juice Bar – IV Juice Bar specializes in customizable acai bowls, juices, shots, and smoothies. Its offerings aim to infuse the body with nutrients, elevate the community, and nourish the soul.

👪 Salinas Family Counseling Inc. – A women-owned business, Salinas Family Counseling offers culturally competent mental health services in four languages. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion aims to foster a healthier community through accessible counseling.

Feel free to check us out on Instagram too!