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THE AMBOY SHOE TREE
Located on Route 66 about ¼ mile east of Roy's Café and Motel in Amboy, California
Contributed by Mark Sedenquist of Las Vegas, Nevada
The Amboy Shoe Tree

This tamarisk tree provides just about the only natural shade to be found along this section of historic Route 66 as it cuts across the Mojave Desert. Situated alongside a dry wash within sight of Amboy ghost town and the huge cinder cone in the lava field to the west, The tree has been festooned with the shoes and boots of dozens of travelers. When I stopped here on September 28th, 2006, it was a balmy 106 degrees in the shade.

Particularly eye-catching was a pair of bright red cowboy boots near the top of the tree. Unlike the other shoetrees I have admired and documented over the years, this shoetree lacks a safe observation spot. Please exercise caution when you come to visit.

Roy's Motel & Cafe
Close-up of the Amboy Shoe Tree

Route 66 historian Swa Frantzen has researched the town of Amboy and reports that the current owner is Albert Okura, who is also the owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain. Mr. Okura has expressed interest in restoring Amboy's appearance to its 1950s heyday, a task that would probably daunt most people.

Update 4/8/07: On April 2, 2007 Angela Paris Bauknecht of Rancho Mirage, California stopped by the Amboy Shoe Tree and captured the images below. In the one on the left, the Amboy Crater is visible in the background.

Roy's Motel & Cafe
Angela Paris Bauknecht
Close-up of the Amboy Shoe Tree
Angela Paris Bauknecht

Links:
Information about the once-thriving community of Amboy, California
History and recipes from Roy's Café and Motel, a nearby Route 66 icon

Other photos of the Amboy Shoe Tree:
Paul & Julie's: Photos from a visit in March, 2006
Swa Frantzen: Image taken in 2005 Shows the Amboy Crater in the background
Tom Schweich: April, 2004
Scott Dommin: March, 2003

[Map]

Photographed by Mark Sedenquist 09/28/06
Posted on RoadTrip America 10/06


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