We are looking for volunteers to help create a design for a Pine and Palm shirt and stickers to help promote and spread awareness of the historic landmark before it goes away in early 2026. The design should incorporate both trees, a US 99 shield, and something to the affect of “Where the Palm Meets the Pine”, “Heart of California”, and “Historic Highway 99 Association of California”. As it will be your design, feel free to include some sort of signature or initials on the design to mark them as from you. If you have a different idea, let us know! We look forward to seeing what you all come up with.
Your design should be submitted by September 15, 2024. The winner will be chosen by members of the Association by October 1, 2024. The winner will receive a $30 gift card to the Historic Saugus Cafe in Santa Clarita and the Second Place winner will receive a $5 gift card to the Saugus Cafe. Both will receive a free one-year membership to the Association.
All submissions should be in either JPG or similar format. Please don’t submit proprietary file formats.
Good Luck and Thank you for your continued support! We can’t do this without you! Use the form below to submit your e-mail address to send your submission to us.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is working to save and mark the historic Pine and Palm in Madera County along Highway 99. They posted an update on their project today. Contact them for more information or if you’d like to get involved with their project.
I wanted to give some updates on the Pine and Palm. I recently had a meeting with Caltrans District 6 to discuss the project and what our intentions are for the landmark trees.
Signage
We explained that, while we appreciated and liked their idea of planting more trees along the southbound side of the roadway, we would like to see a marker or sign placed in both directions to help commemorate the site and increase public awareness of the landmark itself. They agreed this would be a good idea in concept but were uncertain if it could gain approval as the signs as proposed may not be MUTCD compliant. The main issue was with the graphics of the pine and palm itself, as they are not standard for signage. Should the sign be approved, that portion of the sign would likely have to be removed. There is precedent for such a sign in Oregon which marks the 45th Parallel along I-5. The Pine and Palm are similar in nature, though not as specific, so that should help us in our quest for approval. We look forward to finding a way to make this happen.
Median Barrier
Caltrans also is looking into putting something on the median barrier itself, which has been done in many other locations through the state. These, in addition to the signs and new trees, should help mark the site and its significance. We are confident we can make something happen at the Pine and Palm site, even if it takes longer than construction.
Existing Trees
The existing trees may not likely survive, unfortunately, due to the problems of moving such plants. If they are moved, those accepting the trees may have to bear the costs of the move, which can be prohibitive to some. Their disposition isn’t likely to be known for a while and we will try to keep everyone informed as to where they end up. For now, we have until early 2026 before they are torn down, so make sure to enjoy them while they last.
Design Help
As a side note, we are looking for an artist to design a “Pine and Palm” logo for placement on t-shirts and stickers which we’d like to sell. Let us know if you’re interested in helping us with this project. We are looking to get things started soon.
Former US 99 followed a very scenic path over the mountains north of Los Angeles. Follow the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on a journey through the mountains, down the canyons, and beneath Pyramid Lake. Learn what was there before I-5 and what it took to build both roads.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is starting a new series on the history of US 99, historic sites along the way, and information about the Association. Join them on their YouTube Channel – @highway99 – to learn more. Their first video is on The Grapevine.
Castaic Junction, located just north of Six Flags Magic Mountain in the Santa Clarita Valley was an important stop along US 99 and State 126 until the 1980’s. A Standard Oil gas station, one of the largest and busiest at the time, was located here in addition to Tip’s Restaurant. The restaurant was reported to be the last stop for James Dean before he died on September 30, 1955. A Beacon station also existed here at the south side of the junction, though it didn’t last as long as the Standard station. The gas station closed sometime in the 1980’s and the restaurant persisted as the Castaic Junction restaurant a bit longer.
A Brief History of the Roadway Changes
Map of the original version of Castaic Junction before the 1948 widening.
1944 view of Castaic Junction looking southerly. SR-126 enters from the right. Courtesy – Caltrans
The roadway through the junction has also undergone many changes since it was first paved. In 1917, a 15′ concrete slab was laid down. This was widened in 1922 by adding two 2.5′ slabs on either side of the existing concrete. At the time, Castaic Junction was a “wye” intersection, with US 99 making up the east side and State 126 on the south side. The west side was a connector road from SB US 99 to WB 126. In 1931, the 1917/1922 pavement was removed and replaced with a wider two-lane section along the same route. By 1933, an additional lane was added making it a three-lane “suicide lane” setup.
Looking northerly at Castaic Junction in 1948 just after widening. Photo Courtesy – Caltrans
In 1948, yet more changes were made to the junction. US 99 was realigned a bit to the east and made a four-lane expressway. State 126 was also widened, though just at the junction itself. The former west leg of the junction was removed as the Standard Oil gas station was augmented. This configuration lasted until 1964 when I-5 was constructed and the whole intersection was bypassed.
1969 aerial photo showing the 126 Freeway and I-5 Freeway adjacent to the original Castaic Junction. Courtesy – Caltrans
Today, little remains of any of the structures that existed at the junction. A new shopping center and Caltrans maintenance yard occupy the area east of the junction. The original traffic signals were replaced and additional curbs were added.
Surprisingly, the original 1917 wye junction remains nearly completely intact. The west and east legs of the junction are still visible, despite a major realignment, the construction of the Standard Oil gas station in 1948, and its subsequent demolition. How long any of this will last is unknown as development is likely to erase these traces in the near future.
