We have produced a new video on the North Burbank Underpass, a structure along US 99 which was removed in 2014 in Burbank, California. Come join us and learn its significance as well as why it was removed.
Category: Region 4
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“Ghost” Signs along US 99
Old routes, destinations, and even locations that have long since disappeared from maps sometimes reappear or never really disappeared on road signs. These “ghosts” appear in many forms, if you know what to look for. Mind you, some are more obvious, as shown in the photo below where a piece of overlay, or “greenout” fell off in early 2023, showing the old sign message.
US 99 revealed on the Ventura Freeway (State 134) in 2023, since covered. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard Sometimes the sign is on full display where the message was just modified, such as these signs along 99 where either US was replaced with STATE or the shield shape was modified.
“State” 99, formerly US 99. Courtesy -Michael F Ballard 
Note the different holes around the S and both t’s in State, which were to hold U and S. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard Sometimes not all of the old text was removed. In this case, US 60 remained but, if you look closely, you can spot the holes for a 70 and 99 to the right of the 60.
Old sign at Hess Blvd and State Route 62 in 1998. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard 
Note the holes to the right of the 60, which formerly held up a 70 and 99. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard In some instances, the old route is “peaking out” from under the overlay. Instances of this could be found in Atwater and Beaumont until not all that long ago.
Atwater US 99 “ears” in 1998. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard 
US 60 peaking out from under a State Route 60 overlay at Beaumont. US 99 followed the 10. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard Other signs had complete overlays placed but was still obvious that there was something more. Usually in these cases, the alignment of the shields was a clue or the different colored panels that were placed.
Late 1990’s view of the former Verbenia Ave exit sign on westbound I-10. Note the panel to the right of the 10 shield. It is covering a US 99 shield. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard 
Another angle on the Verbenia Ave sign with the overlay panel still quite obvious. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard 
Signage at the west end of 6th St in Beaumont. Everything except the 10 is an overlay here. US 60 is covered by State Route 60. The light colored panel to the right of the 10 covers US 70 and US 99. Courtesy – Michael F Ballard As you can see, there are many ways old routes can be found on signs. Even if covered, document everything you find. You really never know when one of these will be replaced or might perhaps reveal a “ghost” from the past. If we have missed. let us know and we’d be happy to showcase it on our site, with proper credit of course.
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99 Alert – Santa Clarita
Development in some places is inevitable. How some have lasted as long as they have and being relatively untouched is rather amazing. A section of US 99 known as The Old Road in Santa Clarita between Castaic Junction (Route 126) and Magic Mountain Parkway will be widened in the very near future with two historic bridges being replaced. Los Angeles County announced that the work is finally funded and will commence soon. The 1929 Santa Clara River Bridge and Santa Clara Overhead will be replaced likely starting in the next year or so. The remaining section, a rare section of 1948 expressway with oleander in the median, will be replaced with a six-lane generic roadway.
Use this opportunity to get as many photos and video of what remains! We need to do what we can to preserve the history of US 99 for the future however we can.
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New Video – Piru Gorge and Pyramid Lake
Check out our new video on Piru Gorge and Pyramid Lake. See what lies beneath the surface of Pyramid Lake and the many other features of Piru Gorge!
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New Video – The Grapevine
The first video in our new series “History along US 99” is now available for viewing! Come check it out on our YouTube channel.