The city of Yermo was established in 1902. In the 1950s, when Walter Knott opened Calico Ghost Town, Yermo’s Chamber of Commerce created a name for itself as the “Gateway to the Calicos”. It was also the gateway to Las Vegas. Until the 15 freeway was constructed in 1968, traffic went right through town. In 1964 the first ever Del Taco was founded right here in Yermo (it has since been converted to Burger Den although the chain is thriving). Yermo was booming when Del Taco was opened, hosting 27 gas stations, two grocery stores, seven bars and three motels. Of course the 15 freeway destroyed the town, allowing traffic to zoom on by. Today we found ourselves in Yermo because the 15 freeway was at a standstill. It took us twice as long to get to Las Vegas than it should have. Yermo, population 1,000, a town that has long been off the main thoroughfare for decades (a defunct town much like those along Route 66) didn’t have anything to offer passers through.
I had absolutely no idea! What a great history lesson. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons. I love this
Thank you, Denise! It was a wild ride in the car. But we learned something new!
Cool discovery! Did you eat there?
No! It was closed. Like everything else in town.