US 6 / US 99 – Saugus

US 99 Highway TourStop 15A · Los Angeles County · 1928-1930 Santa Clarita AlignmentReturn to US 99 Tour

Santa Clarita Valley

Saugus
El. 1170′

Original bridge over the South Fork Santa Clara River. It was built in 1916 and is a thru-girder type. It was replaced with a four lane bridge in 1995. Photo Courtesy - Caltrans
Original bridge over the South Fork Santa Clara River. It was built in 1916 and is a thru-girder type. It was replaced with a four lane bridge in 1995. Photo Courtesy – Caltrans
Northbound view of the old San Fernando Road / Bouquet Canyon Road intersection.
Northbound view of the old San Fernando Road / Bouquet Canyon Road intersection. Courtesy – Caltrans
South Fork Santa Clara River during the 1983 floods. Note the washout at the east abutment.
South Fork Santa Clara River during the 1983 floods. Note the washout at the east abutment. Courtesy – Tom DiCioccio
Demolition of the 1916 bridge in 1995. Courtesy – Tom DiCioccio
Southbound view of the old configuration at San Fernando Road.
Southbound view of the old configuration at San Fernando Road. Courtesy – Caltrans
Saugus with a two lane road in 1993. Taken in front of the Saugus Cafe. Photo Courtesy - Caltrans
Saugus with a two lane road in 1993. Taken in front of the Saugus Cafe. Photo Courtesy – Caltrans
Map of Saugus from 1938. The red road leading north from Saugus is Bouquet Canyon Road. US 99 followed the road to the west along the railroad tracks.
USGS map of Saugus from 1938. The red road leading north from Saugus is Bouquet Canyon Road. US 99 followed the road to the west along the railroad tracks.

Saugus was founded in 1888 when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a line out to Ventura. It joined with the mainline here. One part of the original Saugus still remains, Saugus Cafe, operating today as the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles County.

Saugus Cafe in the late 1990’s.

In 1938, after using this alignment for about a year, this section of US 6 was bypassed. It was rerouted onto Sierra Highway. US 99 used this alignment from 1926-1930. US 99 followed Magic Mountain Parkway to its post-1930 alignment at The Old Road. All of the bridges that remained along this alignment, except the Newhall Creek Bridge, dated to that era. Sadly, all those old bridges are now gone.

Portion of Caltrans Right-of-Way map from the 1940’s showing Saugus. Bakersfield Road highlighted is now Bouquet Canyon Road. Ridge Route is now Magic Mountain Parkway. Courtesy – Caltrans

Prior to 1915, Bouquet Canyon Road was known as “Bakersfield Road”, which followed the “Midway Route” via either San Francisquito Canyon or Mint Canyon.

Tour junction: Switch to US 6

Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads

Exploring the highways, geology, history and landscapes of Southern California.

Online Since 1995

Explore

Site

© 1995–2026 SoCalRegion.com · Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads