ROOTED HERE
The history of Victorville
Victorville brings together Mojave Desert landscapes, railroad history and the old alignment of Route 66. The D Street corridor and its museum offer an introduction to the earlier town, while neighborhood kitchens and shops give a different view of the city today.
People who shaped Victorville
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
VICTORVILLE_ CELEBRATES_50 | Full Documentary
A local history film shared by High Desert Digital Studios.
Watch on YouTube ↗Famous people born in Victorville
See all 16 famous people
- 1885
The railroad community
The town developed around its railroad station and became known as Victor, honoring railroad construction superintendent Jacob Nash Victor.
City or museum historical source ↗ - 1901
The Victorville name
The post office changed the community’s name to Victorville to distinguish it from Victor, Colorado.
City or museum historical source ↗ - 1926
Route 66
The establishment of U.S. Route 66 strengthened the town’s connection to cross-country road travel. Old Town’s streets retain that historic route association.
City or museum historical source ↗ - 1962
Municipal incorporation
Victorville incorporated on September 21, 1962. The city’s Old Town history connects the later municipality with the earlier railroad and highway settlement.
City or museum historical source ↗ - 1995
Preserving the highway story
The California Route 66 Museum opened in November 1995. Its exhibits interpret the highway and the Victor Valley community.
City or museum historical source ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk Old Town Victorville along D Street, where historic U.S. Route 66 runs through the city’s original railroad-era center. Check current opening hours before visiting the California Route 66 Museum.
For deeper research, the Victorville library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.