A mine discovered in 1874 in Mojave County, started this town. The railroad reached Hackberry in 1882, and shipments of cattle began. Hackberry became a very important debarkation point. At its peak it shipped the third largest number of cattle from Arizona.

Hackberry is on the longest continuous section of the original Route 66 in the nation and as Route 66 was built, Hackberry became quite a stopping place. It became the symbol of American momentum.
The highway that runs through Hackberry acquired its name and number of Route 66 in 1926. At that point, only 800 of its 2,400 miles were paved.

There are still a few old buildings including the Hackberry General Store and a few homes where a small number of residents still live.