Goffs

Goffs is an unincorporated community and historic railroad town in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It lies in the eastern Mojave Desert along the historic Route 66 corridor and near the rail line that runs through the region. The community developed in the early 20th century as a water and servicing stop for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway during railroad construction and expansion. It provided facilities for railroad crews and became a small staging point for travelers on the western leg of Route 66.

The origin of the name is uncertain; it is commonly believed to derive from an early settler or family name. At its peak, Goffs supported a handful of businesses, a school, and railroad-related activity. As highway construction redirected traffic and passenger rail service waned, the town declined and many buildings were abandoned. Today it is considered a ghost town, with a small scattered population and several preserved structures.

Notable sites include the Goffs Schoolhouse, built in 1908, and the remains of the railway depot and water-related infrastructure, which are of interest to preservationists and historians. The area is a focus for desert heritage groups that document railroad history and Route 66-related travel. Goffs today serves primarily as a historic waypoint for visitors and as a reminder of the Mojave Desert’s railroad era.