Category Archives: Los Angeles County

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.

CBR650FA, County Highway, Fault, Geology, Image, Los Angeles County, Motorcycle, Road Signs, Roads, San Andreas Fault, Southern California

Featured Image – 11/23/2020

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Along the San Andreas Fault

Near Valyermo, California, outside of Palmdale, the locals have placed signs where Pallet Creek Road crosses the San Andreas Fault. They picked a really nice spot too, as you have a sag area, fault scarp, and offset streams all easily visible from there. I recommend a visit!

History, Image, Los Angeles County, Railroads, Santa Clarita

Featured Image – 10/29/2020 – Magic Mountain Train Station

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Former “Spillikin Corners” train station

Back in the 1970’s, long before it was known as “Six Flags Magic Mountain”, it was simply known as “Magic Mountain” and had an area known as “Spillikin Corners”. At the time, it had a train which ran in a loop, not unlike so many other parks of the era. The train was gone by the 1980’s, and the area is now known for rollercoasters such as “West Coast Racers” and “Apocalypse”. This train platform was adjacent to the path that led between “Apocalypse” and “Roaring Rapids”. Sadly, these last remnants of old Magic Mountain were removed in 2018. The photo shows the last remnants of a platform which last saw use more than 35 years ago, likely longer. Do you have memories or photos of the trains there?

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Caltrans, District 7, Highways, Image, Los Angeles County, Roads, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California, SR-39

Featured Image – 9/17/2020

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Looking south toward the closed section of Highway 39 from Angeles Crest Highway (State 2) in 2009

A look back to happier times in the San Gabriel Mountains. Taken on August 22, 2009, just a few days before the Station Fire started. Over the past few days, this section of the mountains has burned in the Bobcat Fire, which is ongoing.

History, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

Los Angeles History Link

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When looking for images of the Pacific Electric Railway or something showing US 99 near downtown Los Angeles, I found this really cool website with a lot of old photos of the Los Angeles area. I recommend a visit! It is called Water and Power Associates.

https://waterandpower.org/index.html