Dedicated to the preservation of California's Main Street – former US Highway 99
“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.
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.
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One thought on ““Ghost” Signs along US 99”
Great post! I’ve driven by that old Verbena exit countless times and I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to the greenout before this. I’ll let you know what the status is ASAP. Ditto the 6th Street signage.
Great post! I’ve driven by that old Verbena exit countless times and I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to the greenout before this. I’ll let you know what the status is ASAP. Ditto the 6th Street signage.