Herman (Buster) Burris was the second child of Campbell and Edith Harper Burris. He was born in Bandera, Texas and moved to San Antonio about 1923, where he graduated from Main Avenue High School.
Buster devolped an interest in aeronautics. He worked as an airplane inspector during World War II. He moved to California, where he was part owner of the Santa Monica airport, at one time.
He then moved to Amboy, California, where he married Betty Crowl, whose father, owned Roy's café and motel. Amboy was located on old Route 66, and after the war, the highway was brimming with business. Amboy, located near the Joshua Tree desert, was a popular stop for weary tourists. Buster bought the facility from his father in law and eventually owned the entire town, school, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, and other buildings. Water, of course, was always a major concern, and had to be sent in by train. Buster charged for a glass of water, or use of the restroom facilities. His gas prices were exorbitant, but it cost a lot of money to get employees and supplies into the hot desert.
When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, business slowed to a crawl. Buster eventually sold the town and moved with his second wife, Bessie to another desert town.
The remnants of the town can still be seen, if you travel old route 66.
Information provided by JEH - FAG Member #48531678
Buster devolped an interest in aeronautics. He worked as an airplane inspector during World War II. He moved to California, where he was part owner of the Santa Monica airport, at one time.
He then moved to Amboy, California, where he married Betty Crowl, whose father, owned Roy's café and motel. Amboy was located on old Route 66, and after the war, the highway was brimming with business. Amboy, located near the Joshua Tree desert, was a popular stop for weary tourists. Buster bought the facility from his father in law and eventually owned the entire town, school, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, and other buildings. Water, of course, was always a major concern, and had to be sent in by train. Buster charged for a glass of water, or use of the restroom facilities. His gas prices were exorbitant, but it cost a lot of money to get employees and supplies into the hot desert.
When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, business slowed to a crawl. Buster eventually sold the town and moved with his second wife, Bessie to another desert town.
The remnants of the town can still be seen, if you travel old route 66.
Information provided by JEH - FAG Member #48531678
Herman (Buster) Burris was the second child of Campbell and Edith Harper Burris. He was born in Bandera, Texas and moved to San Antonio about 1923, where he graduated from Main Avenue High School.
Buster devolped an interest in aeronautics. He worked as an airplane inspector during World War II. He moved to California, where he was part owner of the Santa Monica airport, at one time.
He then moved to Amboy, California, where he married Betty Crowl, whose father, owned Roy's café and motel. Amboy was located on old Route 66, and after the war, the highway was brimming with business. Amboy, located near the Joshua Tree desert, was a popular stop for weary tourists. Buster bought the facility from his father in law and eventually owned the entire town, school, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, and other buildings. Water, of course, was always a major concern, and had to be sent in by train. Buster charged for a glass of water, or use of the restroom facilities. His gas prices were exorbitant, but it cost a lot of money to get employees and supplies into the hot desert.
When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, business slowed to a crawl. Buster eventually sold the town and moved with his second wife, Bessie to another desert town.
The remnants of the town can still be seen, if you travel old route 66.
Information provided by JEH - FAG Member #48531678
Buster devolped an interest in aeronautics. He worked as an airplane inspector during World War II. He moved to California, where he was part owner of the Santa Monica airport, at one time.
He then moved to Amboy, California, where he married Betty Crowl, whose father, owned Roy's café and motel. Amboy was located on old Route 66, and after the war, the highway was brimming with business. Amboy, located near the Joshua Tree desert, was a popular stop for weary tourists. Buster bought the facility from his father in law and eventually owned the entire town, school, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, and other buildings. Water, of course, was always a major concern, and had to be sent in by train. Buster charged for a glass of water, or use of the restroom facilities. His gas prices were exorbitant, but it cost a lot of money to get employees and supplies into the hot desert.
When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, business slowed to a crawl. Buster eventually sold the town and moved with his second wife, Bessie to another desert town.
The remnants of the town can still be seen, if you travel old route 66.
Information provided by JEH - FAG Member #48531678
