The Fossil Discovery Museum near Chowchilla, California needs your help. They are in the process of restoring the former Mammoth Orange that was cited along Highway 99 at Fairmead until freeway construction closed off its access in 2007. The last operating Giant or Mammoth Orange stand along old 99 was rescued and will be reopened nearby. The museum is raising funds for this effort. They can use your support! Lets help bring back a piece of Highway 99 history. Make sure to tell them the Highway 99 Association sent you!
UPDATE: Shasta County will be replacing the sign. Some good news at least. Still no word as to who took it or where it is now.
Sometime in the last week, one of the Historic Route 99 signs was stolen from the Mountain Gate area near Redding, CA in Shasta County (Region 1). The sign was taken from the corner of Wonderland Blvd and Fawndale Rd. The entire post was also taken, cut at the base. If you have any information regarding this theft, have seen the sign for sale, or anything else, pleasecontact us! We are working with the group that posted the sign to get the word out and help however we can. Photos courtesy – Dari Fairburn.
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.
The Saugus Cafe, which has been in business for 132 years, is in danger of closing. With the ongoing crisis, business has slowed and restrictions are in place making it tougher than ever. This restaurant is a part of the history of Santa Clarita and US 99. It is located at 25861 Railroad Avenue (formerly San Fernando Road) in Santa Clarita, California. As a kid, I always enjoyed going there and getting a seat near the window so I could watch the trains go by. I was last able to stop there in January 2020. It isn’t truly a Ridge Route trip without it, as it is the LAST place that is still around that dates to that era AND is along the route.
If you’d like to help save this historic restaurant and learn more, KHTS radio has a detailed article here. The Saugus Cafe has also started a “GoFundMe” account. If you are in the area, please stop by the restaurant and show your support! We need places like this to keep going, as without we lose a part of our heritage and a connection to the past.
