As if taking a cue from the study of Darwinism, California's Highway 99 has evolved as the technology of road-building and the autos that rode them advanced dramatically.  Indeed, no where along the whole length of 99's run down the west coast has the old highway changed its face and routings so dramatically as in California.  From the many routes through Shasta canyon to the evolution and eventual bypassing of the dreaded Ridge Route, ol' 99 in North/Central California undulated and rerouted itself like a living serpent.

    Further south, 99 was one of the main highways carrying goods and services from the Valley to the insatiable megalopolis of L.A..  As L.A. grew and swallowed the surrounding countryside, 99 had to grow as well.  From its original alignment along 2 lane roads into downtown, 99 grew into one of the original multi-lane, clover-leaved freeways and provided the first glimpses into the coming world of the 'interstate' highway system which would cause it's ultimate demise.  

    So let us take a look at the life-cycle of Highway 99 in California.  So many towns and establishments found new life and vigor as the new U.S. highway went through their townships, only to later wither and often times pass on completely as a newer alignment developed and became the 'preferred' route.  Therefore, there exist today a multitude of historic businesses that once served the 99 traveler, but now lie in the backwaters of California's roadways.  Help me explore some of these now hidden jewels of the highways.  I've personally only been able to experience California 99 on a wiz-bang journey to a new job in Tucson, AZ..  Therefore, I don't have much material to work with!  So use the e-mail link below and help me out me out with some of your favorite shots!  I'm looking forward to helping share your 99 world!

    From North-to-South...

     After being so rudely dumped onto I-5 southbound by old 99 after coming down from Siskiyou Summit, I turned around at the Hilt exit.  As I turned off, I noticed a large boulder on the shoulder and swung over to investigate.  Imagine my surprise when my inquisitiveness turned up a Highway 99 plaque from the United Daughters of the Confederacy dated 1944 (see pic).  Currently, this plaque is on the NE corner where you would turn to go back north a 1/2 block to the Texaco station.  Check out this 1955 USGS map picture supplied by Patrick Singleton.  It appears that this plaque originally resided a little further south of the old Hilt exit, and was apparently on the east (northbound) side of the old highway.  Per Jill Livingston, this stretch of old highway was subsumed by I-5.  Thanks for the pic & info Patrick & Jill!

    A short distance down from Hilt, be sure to exit off on CAL263 heading to the fine, little town of Yreka.  Along the way, slow down to experience a fine stretch of road like our grandparents did.  Also be sure to check out the many bridges through here.  Watch out for crosswinds though, I received quite the fright when I zipped out onto the Shasta Canyon bridge and received a strong, perpendicular blast that scared the be-@@@us out of me.  I found a spot about a 1/2 mile south of the bridge to turn around and take this pic.  You cannot appreciate the beauty and ingenuity of these bridges unless you can view them from an angle and see how they tie into the canyon walls.  Speaking of canyons, look high above you to the east in here and you can see I-5...its travelers oblivious to the beauty of nature below.  I'm not sure if the roadbed down by the river is original 99, or just a great fishing access road!  Author's addendum, 07/18/02: Per 99 roadie and author Jill Livingston, the road down by the river is indeed old 99.  

The old approach to the possible Teens-era Charlie Creek bridge is now open for exploration!

A detailed view of this old classic...

And a view of the 1925 Charlie Creek Bridge that replaced this old twisting alignment.  Note the (currently not needed) raised bridge deck.  I would like to thank our roadie friend Mark from Bonney Lake who corrected me in that what I originally thought was a second bridge in the background behind the old arch bridge is in fact an 'addition' to the original to keep a newer and higher bridge deck out of a steadily filling Shasta Lake reservoir.  So this was indeed still a Highway 99 bridge and apparently, the nearby Doney Creek bridge also received the same treatment.  Thanks for the info Mark!

     The earliest 99 route between Bakersfield and L.A. followed the pre-existing 1st 'ridge-route'.  Hideously twisty (see 1st card), and notoriously dangerous, the 1st 'ridge-route' was knowingly built as a stop-gap measure.  Even with road improvement measures such as 'day lighting' (the process of removing a hillside, sometimes completely, to allow a more gentle curve), it was obvious the original ridge-route would prove inadequate to meet the bourgeoning demands of an increasingly mobile nation.

    Even as this early 99 saw its first autos, surveyors were already fanning out across the mountains looking for ways to straighten, grade, and/or re-route the road.  It didn't take long.  An alternate route, the 'ridge-route cutoff', opened across the valley in the '30's (see second card).  Note the 3rd 'suicide lane' in this photo!   This route was continually improved through the 40's and 50's with eventual upgrades to 'expressway' status.  Yet the thirst for travel proved too much for even this route.  With the opening of  I-5 and the creation of Pyramid Lake, even the cutoff fell into disuse.  Today, only locals are aware that many portions of old 99 in this area still exist.  Many portions of the old cutoff can be glimpsed from I-5 southbound on your right as you inch your way up the Grapevine grade.  

    Regarding this ridge route cutoff postcard, the following comment is courtesy of known 99 expert Mike Ballard...very intriguing stuff..."The postcard that you have of the Ridge Route Alternate shows a section that has been lost since 1972. The hill to the left is now the island in Pyramid Lake. The canyon in the right background is Liebre Gulch."  Anyone driving I-5, look for this hill & that island.  I'd love to post a current pic for a 'now & then' opportunity.

     
    Heading eastward over San Gorgonio Pass, old remnants of Highway 99 abound.  Many portions of the south frontage road from Banning through to the Whitewater exit appear to be old 99.  As you come down out of San Gorgonio Pass, one cannot help but to notice the wind farms throughout this area.  Majestic and almost hypnotic, these giants had fallen into disuse, but the power shortages of the past couple of years will, I'm sure, renew interest in this potentially unlimited source of energy.  I had to pull off at the N. Palm Beach exit (Indian Avenue exit) to watch and listen for awhile (see pic-pic taken at 1/10th sec duration for you shutterbugs out there). 

    If you've taken this exit (Indian Ave.), I'm sure you've noticed the 30's era concrete going east and west.  If you go east, the road will dead-end at I-10 in about 1/2 mile.  Stop here and take a look behind you back up the pass.  It is quite evident that this stretch of road once came down from the Whitewater stretch of road and was overlaid by I-10 eastbound during the freeway's construction.  It's a laser beam straight shot back up the hill!  Check out this photo for evidence.  The black ribbon in the background is I-10 coming down the pass.

Too Cool!  Check out the murals from Clark's Truck stop!  Plus, I've put together a quick & dirty composite GIFt for your pleasure!  Just click on the shields!

    Once out of the pass and into the desert, 99 leaves I-10 behind and strikes out on its own on its journey to the border.  1st stop, Indio...home of Clark's Truck Stop (awesome mural).  Another business that has survived is the Economy Inn. Now take a look at this architecture.  Obviously, this place did not start as an Economy Inn.  Can someone help solve this mystery??  What was this place originally?  It's just down the street from Clark's. 

    Just a few miles further, you quickly get that tropical feeling.  You are entering the world of the Date!  Oasis, a small town south of Indio, apparently used to be quite well known for its dates and date products.  With all of the tropical palms around, I guess it may also just 'feel' cooler than many of the surrounding communities.  Here's an obviously fine establishment-Valerie Jean's.  According to Jill Livingston, Valerie Jean's has been around since 1928.  Unfortunately, Valerie's was closed when I passed through.  I was looking forward to seeing what kind of date magic they perform that has helped keep them open for 74 years.

    Past the Salton Sea  and El Centro, our long journey approaches its end.  At the bustling border town of Calexico, you'll find a sign depicting the end/beginning of old U.S.99.  What once was commonplace, has now become a mystery.  Let's help share what little riddles we solve as it relates to this old road.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you.  If you have an interesting story or photo, send it to me & I'll post it here!

    Sincerely,

    Jeff