99 Alert – Saugus

Saugus Cafe Needs Your Help!

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.

Upcoming Projects

With the holidays and lockdowns in place, starting our projects will unfortunately be a bit slow. Come 2021 however, things will shift into “high gear” and we will be pressing various projects forward. Right now, we are focusing on smaller projects, partly to get started and see how it goes, mostly to make solid progress sooner than later. With that in mind, here is a list of projects we are planning to start in the first half of 2021:

Signing
Fundraising efforts will be needed for each project

Calexico – 04IMP21001 – Replace existing faded signage at the END / BEGIN point of US 99

Banning / Beaumont – 04RIV21001 – Implement new signage along 6th St (Beaumont) and Ramsey St (Banning). Possibly work with Caltrans to get signage at end interchanges (I-10 Exit 93 and I-10 Exit 102).

Ontario – 04SBD21001 – Implement new signage along Holt Ave between Benson Ave and I-10 Exit 55A.

Administration

Outreach Coordinator – Recruit new Outreach Coordinator to help implement our Statewide outreach projects and manage Regional Coordinators

Regional Coordinators – Recruit new Regional Coordinators for Region 1 (Northern California), Region 3 (San Joaquin Valley), and Region 4 (Southern California)

Contact us for additional information about any of these projects. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these, let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

Contact Information

New PO BOX

Thanks to a generous and unexpected donation last night, we were able to purchase a PO Box this morning. Now we have an address, which is quite helpful.

We Are Official!

As of the morning of 12/8/2020, the Historic Highway 99 Association of California is now officially incorporated as a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation. We can now really begin our work. Positions are still available as well. This is great news, certainly for Historic US 99.

Association Positions Available

We are anticipating getting our incorporation processed in the next two-three weeks. After it is official, it will be time to get things going. Our board, as it is presently structured, will be needing a Secretary, Outreach Coordinator, and Regional Coordinators. We currently have a President and Treasurer. These are all volunteer positions and are greatly needed to get this association up and running. Below are some basic descriptions of each position. If you are interested in any of these positions, please let us know and we will discuss further what is needed. This will be a great opportunity to do make a lasting mark on the legacy of Historic US Highway 99 in California. We look forward to hearing from you!

Secretary (Board Member):

The Secretary will be responsible for the records of the organization and shall keep a record of minutes of all board meetings. They may also assist with other tasks such as fundraising and any other efforts as directed. They will also help keep our website updated with information from our Outreach and Regional Coordinators as needed.

Outreach Coordinator (Board Member):

Our Outreach Coordinator will be in charge of the Regional Coordinators for each region. They will be the primary contact for our Regional Coordinators and will help develop various projects such as signing, fundraising, public events, and other outreach programs. They will also keep the board updated on our projects.

Regional Coordinators:

Regional coordinators are the heartbeat of local operations for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California (Association). The job is unique to the organization, as it has a twofold mission. They are not only responsible for research and development for our operations in the localities under our purview, but are also responsible for conveying that information up and down the chain of the organization to the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Outreach Coordinator, Members, and local Communities (when applicable) in a timely and professional manner as well. The job encompasses duties of Researcher, Developer, Telemarketer, Brand Ambassador, Developer, Informational Officer and Manager. They primarily report to the Outreach Coordinator.

Regional Coordinators preferably shall possess a professional or personal background or knowledge related to California’s Highway System or other Historic / Preservation efforts, although it is not required.