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.
I will be hosting an online meeting next month to discuss Highway 99 in Southern California. It will be open to questions about the highway, its history, the Ridge Route, and depending on time – connecting highways like US 6. If you’d like to submit a question, use our contact form, specify it is for the meeting, and we’ll do our best to answer them in the meeting. This is your chance to meet the author of this site and learn more about California’s Main Street!
The meeting will be hosted on Zoom on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (It could go longer if need be). Registration will be required. Use the link below to register. I look forward to seeing you there!
We are seeking photos for all 22 counties that former US 99 traversed in California. We’d like to have at least one from each county that shows a representative section of the highway or one of the highlights. We are working on a new section for our website and need some help with photos. Some of these photos may also be published in our monthly newsletter, with appropriate credit given of course. If you’d like to submit a photo, send us a message!
Welcome to the new Historic 99 Association of California Newsletter!
Each month, we will give an update on the progress of our various projects and outreach programs. These updates will usually be published toward the first week of each month, this one being a little early. In time, we’d like to have a Featured 99 Business section to help promote local businesses along the highway and stories about 99 happenings. Contact us if you’d like your business featured in our newsletter.
Advocacy
In December, we started a new program called “99 Alerts“. These alerts are designed to help preserve a section of the highway or a business that is in danger of being lost. Each will have information about what it is and how you can help. They will also be listed under “Projects” in the main menu. Our latest 99 Alert involves a section of former US 99 in the Calimesa area, which has a long section of pristine 1925 concrete.
Fundraising
At present, we are raising funds for our first sign purchase. Once the goal amount is achieved, which is $800, we will purchase 10 24×36 Historic Route 99 signs for placement in Banning and Beaumont. Currently, we have raised $125. Additional funds may come from businesses and other groups in the Banning / Beaumont area.
A fundraiser for printing and distributing flyers and brochures for our organization may start in the near future but no date is set yet.
Outreach
We are in the process of gathering contact information for all the cities, counties, historical societies, and car clubs along the route. We are also developing a brochure which we intend to distribute to all these groups. We have also created a web forum which is available to use to discuss Highway 99 issues here on our site. We will also use them to help organize in-person events when we are able to do such things, likely not until later this year.
Membership
We are developing a plan for membership to our organization. It looks like we will have a few tiers such as Basic, Standard/Individual, Family, and Business. Each will have different levels of perks, which we are still working out. These will be implemented once we get our 501(c)3 status, which we anticipate in the next month or so.
Photo of the Month
1923 concrete on the old Ridge Route near Quail Lake in northern Los Angeles County. Courtesy – Michael Ballard
Each newsletter will feature a photo of a section of Historic US 99. This month’s photo shows a section of US 99 near Quail Lake in northern Los Angeles County. It was originally constructed in 1917 as a 17 foot roadway but was widened with a “second story” of concrete that was 20 feet wide. In 1933, it became a portion of State 138 and in 1968, it was relegated to a side road when the new freeway was constructed to the south. Today, it remains as a pristine section of roadway but is in danger of being destroyed by development. The “Centennial” housing project, by Tejon Ranch, is planned to be built adjacent and this would likely be paved over. As it may be a while before construction begins, we still have a chance to do something about it. Look for a “99 Alert” in the future with more details.
If you’d like your photo to be featured, contact us! Depending on the number of submissions, we may implement a “Featured Image” section on the site as well. All submitted photos will be given proper credit.
We need your support to grow and get these projects accomplished. If you are interested in helping with our organization in any way, please contact us. If you aren’t already, subscribe to our website so you can keep updated and receive our newsletter. We’d also love to hear your feedback!
Our first big fundraiser is for a batch of signs for our sign projects in the Imperial Valley covering El Centro, Imperial, Brawley, and Westmoreland. This project will work to get these signs posted through those towns and we will need your help. After reviewing cost estimates from various companies, we will be ordering 10 12×18 Historic Route 99 signs from Zumar. Our fundraising goal is $475 for these signs, which will eventually be posted as they get approved. If you wish to donate to this campaign, please use the link below or send a check to:
Historic Highway 99 Association of California PO BOX 34062 San Diego, CA 92163
Thank you for your support!
Total As of 5/3/2021 – $430
Previously raised funds went to the 04IMP21001 – Calexico portion of the project
Roberts Road, highlighted in orange, between Cherry Valley Blvd and Singleton Road
A section of US 99 in Calimesa, Riverside County, with concrete dating to 1925, is in danger of being destroyed and forgotten due to developments on the adjacent land. Known as Roberts Road, running for nearly 3/4 mile between Cherry Valley Blvd and Singleton Road, has the last intact and exposed concrete between Yucaipa and Whitewater. This was US 99 from 1926-1937.
As the roadway is to be realigned to the south, we propose making this into a recreational path or at least preserving the contractors date stamps in the paving. This is a treasure that needs to live on.
Looking easterly along Roberts Road
One of the intact stamps from May 9, 1925.
Contact the City of Calimesa, tell them the Historic Highway 99 Association of California sent you and that you don’t want this section destroyed! Show your support for preserving what is left of US 99 in that area.
