Dedicated to the preservation of California's Main Street – former US Highway 99
Author: Michael Ballard
I am the founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California. I am also the author and administrator of the "Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads" website at https://socalregion.com, since 1995. I have been studying the geology and highway history throughout southern California for most of my life. I am also the President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization.
A car passed by the St. Francis Dam on the way to Powerhouse 1 on March 12, 1928. The driver saw a torch light at the base of the dam, and figured the dam keeper, Tony Harnischfeger was down at the base of the dam. A little while later, a motorcycle passed by the St. Francis dam just before midnight. The driver, Ace Hopewell, glanced over to the dam as he passed. All was calm. One can imagine how beautiful it was in the moonlight, giving off a white glow. He continued on his way to Powerhouse 1, where his shift began at midnight. A few minutes later, he heard a terrible crash. He stopped his motorcycle, smoked a cigarette and listened to the loud crashing sound. The area was known for landslides in the area….the Pelona Schist was unstable and often collapsed on to the road. He listened until the sound began to subside, and carefully, he continued on to work, looking for fallen rock. It wasn’t until he arrived at Powerhouse 1, that he was told that the St. Francis Dam had gone out. He was the last living person to see the dam intact.
Join us on Tuesday, October 5 at 6:30 pm, for the story of the St. Francis Dam, the 2nd largest tragedy in California as far as loss of life. Presented by the St Francis Dam National Memorial Foundation.
Please register for the meeting using the link below:
We have some great news! After speaking with officials with the City of Madera, they have agreed to post our Historic Route signs along Gateway Drive. This is the first new signage we will be placing, as Calexico was replacing existing signage. Getting approval in Madera is a significant accomplishment for us and I look forward to many more in the future.
I want to thank one of our members – Andrew Maximous, the City of Madera, and all our members and donors for helping make this happen.
There is currently a fire, #RouteFire, burning on the Ridge Route near Templin Highway. I-5 is closed both directions and the Old Ridge Route may be in danger. For information, follow the Twitter feed for the Ridge Route Preservation Organization – @ridgeroute99.
The link in the newsletter for the presentation was incorrect and has been corrected. Please use this new link to sign up.
Join Michael F Ballard and the Historic Highway 99 Association of California for a presentation on the history of US 99 and the Newhall Pass on September 14, 2021 at 6pm via Zoom. The history of the roadway will be covered from the Newhall Tunnel in 1910 to the HOV ramp at the I-5 / State 14 interchange in 2012. Q&A to follow the presentation. Please register using the link below.
A small section of original paving, dating to the late 1910’s is still visible near the intersection of Valley Blvd and Pepper Ave. This section of US 99 was realigned in 1935 to create a gentler curve along with a wider roadway. Little remains of the original paving of US 99 through the Los Angeles area, so this is a special section. In 2008, Valley Blvd was realigned again to the north, obliterating a section of the paving.
Aerial view from 1939 showing the recently realigned Valley Blvd between Pepper Ave and Meridian Ave. Courtesy UCSB
1953 USGS map showing the area. Meridian Ave is at center.
1953 map marked showing the different alignments.
Looking east toward San Gorgonio Mountain
Old Valley Blvd looking west toward Pepper Ave
1935 concrete exposed under old Valley Blvd
September Meeting
Join Michael F Ballard and the Historic Highway 99 Association of California for a presentation on the history of US 99 and the Newhall Pass on September 14, 2021 at 6pm via Zoom. The history of the roadway will be covered from the Newhall Tunnel in 1910 to the HOV ramp at the I-5 / State 14 interchange in 2012. Q&A to follow the presentation. Please register using the link below.
Jeremy M. Tuggle, born in Redding, is a descendant of 11 pioneer families who settled Shasta County between 1849-1889. Jeremy attended Shasta College and is the author of two published books, Rooted in Shasta County (2003), and A Journey Through Time: Ono and the Bald Hills (2008), as well as various articles on local history. In 2017, Tuggle was awarded a Community Service Award, a prestigious national award for community service in historic preservation, by the Major Pierson B. Reading Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Jeremy is a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California, and an Eagle Scout.
Tuggle has been employed at the Shasta Historical Society since November of 2009. In his present role as Education & Community Engagement Manager, Jeremy conducts research for the historical society’s programs and events, contributes to the Society’s social media presence, and ensures the highest quality guest and patron experience at the Society’s programs and community events and is available to community organizations to present programs about Shasta County history.
My name is Mike Herman and I would like to thank Michael Ballard for inviting me to send an article on a book that I have written.
In 2018, I started the Historic Ukiah-Tahoe Highway Assoc in an attempt to inform more people about the history and importance of this 222 mile Historic Highway running from Ukiah to Lake Tahoe. As part of this process, I wrote the Historic Ukiah-Tahoe Highway Travel Guide.
During the research of this project, I discovered another “Forgotten Highway”. In Williams, the Ukiah-Tahoe Highway crosses Old US 99W. After I finished the first Travel Guide, I started another one for Historic US 99W. I am sure that most of you know that US 99 splits into an east and west routes between Sacramento and Red Bluff. US 99W went through the small towns on the west side of the Sacramento Valley. US 99W was replaced in I-5 and is no longer a state or federal highway. Nearly every town along the way has an interesting story or a point of interest that people driving down I-5 will never know.
I provided Michael with an electronic copy of this Travel Guide that any member is welcome to use. If you would like to see the other Books and Travel Guides that we have, visit www.HistoricUSHighways.com
Featured Photo
Three-lane US 99 in Gorman, CA
This section of US 99 in Gorman, California was the last section of the original 1933 Ridge Route Alternate concrete. It was resurfaced in 2010 by Los Angeles County. The concrete was poured on June 8, 1933. It remained a part of US 99 until 1951, when Gorman was bypassed by a new four-lane alignment along what is now the I-5 freeway. Few sections of original three-lane concrete remain these days. Only two exist in Southern California now and both are on US 101 (Carpinteria and Mission Viejo). Always make sure to get your photos while you can. You never know when things might go away or be covered up.
Errata
Starting January 2022, this newsletter will shift to bi-monthly publication. Interim updates and 99 alerts will still be given outside of that schedule.
