TheHistoric Highway 99 Association of California, in conjunction with the Ridge Route Preservation Organization, has produced a video on the basics of the Ridge Route and some of the features that make the road unique. Learn about the curbs, rails, footprints of all types, tire tracks, and more that can be found on the road. They also talk about the different pavement types on the road as well as how you can get up there and see the road yourself.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has also produced other videos talking about other sections of the highway, including the bridges over the Santa Clara River and Castaic Creek in their “History along US 99” series.
Back in July 2017, I took a trip out east, partially following old US 80 east of El Cajon, CA. One of the goals was to take photos of a section I had passed countless times before but never stopped at. The section in question was near Flinn Springs. This old alignment was bypassed in the 1930’s and cut off by I-8 in 1965.
Highlighted section is the old alignment with the section in question above I-8.
Known today as Flinn Springs Road, it mostly serves as a connector to Blossom Valley Road, which itself was cut by I-8 at the same time as this alignment. The original concrete was paved over at some point in the past but was, at the time I stopped, very obvious and partly exposed. I took this opportunity to take many photos of the road. There were plenty of markings on the roadway which could indicate resurfacing was imminent but wasn’t quite sure. It was a good thing I did as, less than two weeks later, the whole thing was resurfaced, burying that old concrete yet more and making it impossible to see.
Looking west along Flinn Springs Road
Cracking in asphalt showing where the original concrete is still in place
At the curve where the road currently bends north, the concrete visibly bends a different direction.
The lesson here is to TAKE PHOTOS and DOCUMENT! You never know when you’ll be back or if it will be there when you do.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has posted another episode of their “History along US 99” series. This time they talk about a section of 1930’s concrete in Ontario, California. Come check it out!
Sort of correct, Santa Monica is the end, just not Santa Monica Blvd and Ocean Ave.
The west end of US 66, at least in popular culture, has always been at the Pacific Ocean, or at least close to it. Santa Monica Pier, at times, touts itself as the western end. The intersection of Ocean Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd also does the same. While both are scenic and somewhat obvious ends, they simply are not correct.
Will Rogers Highway plaque at Santa Monica Blvd and Ocean Ave
As US 66 was by California standards, a State Highway, it falls under a specific standard. All signed routes, be they a State, US, or even Interstate Highway, ran along specified roadways which were all State Highways and maintained by the State. Signage for such routes would not have been on any other roadway, for a multitude of reasons. This may seem confusing to the layperson, but it does make sense. There is, as the saying goes, method to the madness. Think of it from a legal standpoint. If a highway is signed as a State, US, or Interstate route, the layperson (generally the public) would assume it be maintained by an agency above the city it passes through. Liability for such a roadway goes to the State. If the State has no interest in the roadway, there is no reason to push this perceived liability upon it. Therefore, only roadways maintained by the State get signed. Seems simple enough.
Now, how does this pertain to the western end of US 66 you ask? Both the pier and the intersection of Ocean and Santa Monica are not State Highways nor part of a State Highway The true end of the road was at a place that was far less extravagant and scenic. The end of US 66 was at the intersection of Lincoln Blvd and Olympic Blvd, which was the junction of US 66 (Lincoln Blvd north of Olympic), US 101 Alternate (Lincoln Blvd south of Olympic), and State Highway 26 (Olympic Blvd). Today, this intersection is at Lincoln Blvd, Olympic Blvd, and the Santa Monica Freeway. The western end of Olympic was subsumed by the Santa Monica Freeway (originally to be named the Olympic Freeway) in 1965. This western end existed from 1935 until 1964, when US 66 was cut back to Los Angeles.
1935 Los Angeles – US 66 ends at US 99 near Glendale at Fletcher Dr / San Fernando Road
1950 USGS map showing US 66 ending at Olympic Blvd / Lincoln Blvd
Eventually, US 66 was cut back even further. Initially to Downtown Los Angeles, it was further reduced as time passed, and by 1984 the route was entirely gone. Today, the highway is marked by Historic Route signs across most of its journey through the Los Angeles area.
So, when visiting the west end of US 66, do it right. Visit the intersection of Lincoln Blvd and Olympic Blvd. Any other location is incorrect. If you do visit the pier, make sure to check out their exhibit on Bob Waldmire near the west end of Pacific Park, who helped promote old US 66 with his very intricate and detailed artwork.
At Lincoln Blvd and Olympic Blvd, heading north on Lincoln Blvd
BEGIN signage at Olympic Blvd / Lincoln Blvd
Signage at Lincoln Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd showing US 66 heading east on Santa Monica Blvd
Former State 1 / State 2 junction signage. This marks the end of State 2 and US 66.
