All posts by Michael F Ballard

Michael F Ballard is the author and administrator of the Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads website, 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. Founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California, https://historic99.org .
Advocacy, Fundraising, Highways, History, Los Angeles County, Ridge Route, Santa Clarita, US 99

Saugus Cafe Needs Your Help!

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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.

This article was originally posted on the
Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s website.

Advocacy, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Updates, US 99

Historic Highway 99 Association

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The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is a California 501(c)3 Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation, as officially recognized and certified by the State of California.

The main goal of the association is to help educate the public on the historical importance of former US Highway 99 in California. Our additional goals are as follows:

  • To help promote travel, tourism, and economic development along the historic roadway through the various towns along the route
  • To work with various agencies to protect and preserve any historic structures such as bridges, buildings, and other cultural resources along all alignments of former US 99
  • To help support signage efforts along the route, such as Business Route and/or Historic Route signs directing travelers to the old road.
  • To develop a cohesive statewide plan for the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of former US 99 in California.
  • To develop and support various meets along the roadway, such as car shows, swap meets, and historical tours.
  • To raise funds to support all these goals.

If you would like to help with this effort, contact them at their website:

https://historic99.org

US 80

T.M. Schultze Photography

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I recently discovered a treasure trove of photography for US 80 and more. T.M. Schultze is based in the San Diego area and has a big interest in old highways, as well as rock art, scenery, and more. He has quite a passion for the art and I strongly recommend checking this site out.

https://tmschultze.com/
T.M. Schultze Photography Website
Advocacy, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, US 99

Historic Highway 99 Association News

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The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is getting ready to get going. Within the next week or so, it will be officially incorporated. It is currently looking for people to help with some of the administrative end, specifically with two board members and regional support. If you’re interested in bringing positive change to Historic US 99, why not check it out?

Association Positions Available – Historic Highway 99 Association of California

District 6, Famoso, Highways, History, Image, Kern County, Old Alignment, Roads, US 99

Featured Image – 12/4/2020

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Looking toward the current alignment of 99 from the railroad with the original paving north of Famoso

US 99 parallels the Southern Pacific Railroad for a significant portion of its journey across the Great Central Valley. At times, it has to cross those tracks. Many of those crossings were the site of collisions, mostly by people trying to beat the train. They also slowed traffic down quite a bit. In a statewide effort to reduce problems at grade crossings, the State built grade-separations at these locations.

At Famoso, north of Bakersfield, an underpass was built in 1936, which eliminated one of the busier crossing. That structure was eventually replaced by an overpass in 1970. Today, the original crossing partially remains, with paving leading from the freeway to the railroad. The last time a car traversed this paving may well have been over 70 years ago.

US 99 – Famoso – Jct US 466 West