Retro Route 66 Unisex Jersey Tee | Oro Grande, CA: Home of Roy Rogers Ranch

Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – Oro Grande Edition

Embrace the cowboy spirit of the Mother Road with this ultra-soft unisex jersey tee, expertly spun from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. Featuring the slogan "Home of Roy Rogers Ranch," this tee celebrates Oro Grande, California: the place the King of the Cowboys called home.

It's the perfect shirt for nostalgic adventurers, Western movie buffs, or collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, honoring Oro Grande's iconic desert and cowboy legacy.

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About Oro Grande, California: Home of the King of Cowboys

Oro Grande, a historic high desert community between Victorville and Barstow, combines mining heritage, Route 66 nostalgia and Hollywood cowboy legend. This small Mojave town earned its Spanish name, literally translated as "Great Gold," from 19th-century mining operations, but found its greatest fame as the beloved home of singing cowboy star Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans.

Mining and Railroad Origins

Oro Grande's history began with gold and silver mining in the 1870s, followed by the discovery of valuable cement-grade limestone that made the area an industrial hub. The Victor Portland Cement Company established major operations here in the early 1900s, and the massive cement plant became a defining landmark along the Mother Road. The Santa Fe Railroad served the mining and cement industries, establishing Oro Grande as more than just a desert outpost.

Route 66 Heyday

With Route 66's designation in 1926, Oro Grande transformed into a bustling highway stop serving thousands of cross-country motorists. During the 1940s and '50s, the town offered essential services, including gas stations, diners, motels, and cafes, while also providing relief on the desert stretch between San Bernardino and Barstow. The presence of the massive cement works gave travelers a dramatic industrial landmark, with towering silos and kilns visible for miles across the Mojave landscape.

Roy Rogers and the Double R Ranch

Oro Grande's most famous resident was Roy Rogers, "King of the Cowboys," who along with wife Dale Evans owned the 67-acre Double R Bar Ranch from 1965 until his death in 1998. The ranch served as the couple's private sanctuary away from Hollywood, where Rogers could pursue his love of horses, the outdoors, and the authentic Western lifestyle he portrayed on screen. Rogers and Evans became integral parts of the Oro Grande community, and their presence cemented the town's connection to classic Western Americana. Though the ranch itself was private, Rogers' association with Oro Grande drew fans and Route 66 travelers hoping to glimpse the legendary cowboy's desert home. After Rogers' passing, the property was sold, but his legacy remains deeply woven into the town's identity.

Oro Grande Today

Interstate 15's bypass in the 1970s significantly reduced traffic through Oro Grande, but the town has survived better than many other Route 66 communities that were bypassed by the highway. Today, visitors find a blend of active cement industry operations, vintage Route 66 remnants, and quirky desert character.

Notable attractions include vintage motels and buildings along the old highway alignment, the still-operating cement plant (now owned by Mitsubishi Cement Corporation), and various roadside relics that appeal to Mother Road enthusiasts. The Oro Grande Post Office, Iron Hog Saloon, and scattered mid-century structures provide authentic Route 66 atmosphere without heavy commercialization.

For Roy Rogers fans and Route 66 travelers alike, Oro Grande offers a genuine slice of high desert highway history, showcasing a town where mining, movies, and the Mother Road intersected in classic California fashion.

Product Features:

100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
Side seams for added structure and durability
Tear-away label for comfort
Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
Fulfilled in the USA