Category Archives: Agoura Hills

Historic US 101 in Agoura Hills, CA

Looking east along Vendell Road in 2013.

US 101 has seen many changes over the years in the Los Angeles area. Most of the route is heavily urbanized with housing tracts and businesses lining the roadway. Parts of the original roadway have also been incorporated into the modern freeway. All this leaves little chance for any original paving to remain intact.

There is one exception in the Agoura Hills area west of Los Angeles. A short section of 1930 concrete remains, though its days are limited. Known as Vendell Road, it branches off of Agoura Road just west of Liberty Canyon Road (Exit 34 on US 101). In a different twist, modern Agoura Road follows the original 1913 alignment. This roadway was bypassed in 1949 when this portion of US 101 was upgraded to an expressway and realigned. Later improvements to freeway still ignored this section and left it intact.

1944 aerial view of the area. Liberty Canyon Road is at center. Courtesy – UCSB
1952 aerial view of the area now showing expressway construction. The modern freeway follows the expressway alignment. Liberty Canyon is at center. Courtesy – UCSB
Looking west toward Agoura Road in 2013.
Date stamp on Vendell Road from July 28, 1930. This one of a few remaining on the roadway.
Toward the east end of the roadway in 2013

Today, construction is underway on a wildlife crossing that will obliterate the old paving and dramatically change this section of highway. The new bridge will be of great benefit to local and regional wildlife, allowing a safe crossing of a major transportation corridor. Despite the loss of the old road, I do look forward to seeing how it all looks in the end. The construction is just yet another lesson in making sure to take photos of things when you can while you can. You never know if it will be there when you return.

For more information about the project: