Progress in Calexico

Yesterday was a big day for the Association. Our first project, 04IMP21001 – the Calexico sign replacement project, is going forward. I have been in contact with the Public Works Manager for the city regarding our proposal. Yesterday, they accepted and asked us to proceed with the sign order.

Today, I ordered two 24×36 Historic Route 99 signs for the City of Calexico. We are all really excited about this, even though it is “just a replacement”. This is a big thing for us. The city could well have said no but they didn’t. We saw this as an opportunity to help present a better image for the highway and their city. Having faded signs, to the point you don’t really know what they read, isn’t helpful to anyone. Having a nice new sign helps and shows that people care about it. We’d like to put up new signs in new places, but those projects do take a lot longer. We will be successful in those over time.

At this point, we are anticipating this project to be complete in the next month. The signs take, on average, about two weeks to make and deliver. Once we get them, we will coordinate with the City for delivery and placement. Optimally, we’d like to have a small ceremony with photos taken. As this is our first project, it is something we’d like to memorialize. We will keep everyone updated as the timeline gets more firm. One thing is certain, this will be done before summer heat sets in!

We wish to thank all those that have supported us and this project. We couldn’t have done it without you! We’d also like to extend a special thanks to the City of Calexico and their Public Works Manager, Liliana Falomir, who has been very helpful to us in this venture.

99 Alert – Mountain Gate – UPDATED

Stolen sign

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, please contact 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.

Fundraiser – Signs

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

99 Alert – Calimesa Area

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.

City of Calimesa Contacts:

Main Website – http://www.cityofcalimesa.net/

909-795-9801 – Main number
City Manager – Bonnie Johnson – bjohnson@cityofcalimesa.net
909-795-9801 x239

Planning Commission – Agency in charge of planning
Area is under the “Summerland Ranch Specific Plan”

Current Signage on 99

We need your help! We are working on a list of all cities that currently have Historic Route 99 signage, in any form. Our list so far is below. Let us know if it is incomplete. For a key to our regions, see this link – HH99AC Regions.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Region 1:

  • Weed
  • Mt. Shasta City
  • Dunsmuir
  • Mountain Gate
  • Shasta Lake
  • Red Bluff
  • Chico
  • Williams

Region 2

  • Pending

Region 3

  • Bakersfield

Region 4

  • Los Angeles
  • Burbank
  • Indio
  • Calexico