History – Page 3 – California Highways: Route by Route

CA RxR 3.06p1: I-5: Whatever Became of the Ridge Route? (Part 1)CA RxR 3.06p1: I-5: Whatever Became of the Ridge Route? (Part 1)

January 12, 2025| Daniel| 0 Comment| 11:00 am

Our I-5 exploration continues, with a focus on the segment of I-5 from the US 101 split in Downtown Los Angeles to the Route 99 split in Wheeler Ridge. This episode, Part 1 of 3.06, after a recap on LRN 5 and Sign Route 5, focuses on the history of I-5 from Downtown LA (DTLA) to and through the Newhall Pass. We explore the history of LRN 4 and LRN 161, the timeline of freeway construction to and through Burbank, the history of Route 5S (Colorado Blvd), and a dive into the history of routings through the Newhall Pass and in Saugus. We also talk about the Interstate number submissions for I-5, and have some updates on the projects we discussed in Episode 3.05p2. Our special guest this episode is Sydney Croasmun of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. Sydney brings her expertise to our discussion in Part 2, when we’re going in detail over the Ridge Route. Part 2 also discusses projects and naming in this section, especially the history of the “Grapevine” name. Subsequent episodes will be looking at (3.07) the Westerly Routing; (3.08) the planned I-5W; (3.09) the former US 99W portion from Sacramento to Redding; and (3.09) the portion from Redding to the Oregon Border.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Creators (Spotify changed names yet again):

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CA RxR 3.05p2: I-5: San Diego to Los Angeles (Part 2)CA RxR 3.05p2: I-5: San Diego to Los Angeles (Part 2)

December 30, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 10:19 am

In this episode, we continue our exploration of I-5, the central spine of California. We’re splitting the discussion over 6 episodes, some of which are two-parters. This first episode (a two-parter) looks at the former US 101 segment, from the Mexico Border to Downtown Los Angeles. Part 2, this part, looks at the projects along this segment of I-5, as well as some of the more significant names. Go back to part 1 for a discussion of all things 5: Maritime Highway M-5, the 5th state highway, Legislative Route 5, Sign Route 5, and then I-5. For I-5, we look at the history of the route, and the pieces that led to first the US 101 Bypass and then I-5 in this area. Subsequent episodes will be looking at (3.06) from Downtown LA to Wheeler Ridge, where Route 99 splits, including the Ridge Route; (3.07) the Westerly Routing; (3.08) the planned I-5W; (3.09) the former US 99W portion from Sacramento to Redding; and (3.09) the portion from Redding to the Oregon Border.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Creators (Spotify changed names yet again):

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CA RxR 3.05p1: I-5: San Diego to Los Angeles (Part 1)CA RxR 3.05p1: I-5: San Diego to Los Angeles (Part 1)

December 16, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 6:43 pm

In this episode, we start our exploration of I-5, the central spine of California. We’re splitting the discussion over 6 episodes, some of which are two-parters. This first episode (a two-parter) looks at the former US 101 segment, from the Mexico Border to Downtown Los Angeles. Part 1, this part, starts with a discussion of all things 5: Maritime Highway M-5, the 5th state highway, Legislative Route 5, Sign Route 5, and then I-5. For I-5, we look at the history of the route, and the pieces that led to first the US 101 Bypass and then I-5 in this area. We’ll finish the discussion in Part 2, where we look at projects along the route and names along the route. Subsequent episodes will be looking at (3.06) from Downtown LA to Wheeler Ridge, where Route 99 splits, including the Ridge Route; (3.07) the Westerly Routing; (3.08) the planned I-5W; (3.09) the former US 99W portion from Sacramento to Redding; and (3.09) the portion from Redding to the Oregon Border.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Creators (Spotify changed names yet again):

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CA RxR 3.03: Route 4: StocktonCA RxR 3.03: Route 4: Stockton

November 9, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 8:07 am

In this episode, we continue our a 3-part exploration of Route 4. This episode focused on the Stockton Crosstown Freeway: A short freeway segment of Route 4 that bisects the city of Stockton, essentially running from I-5 to Route 99. We talk about the LRNs that made up this segment: LRN 75, and LRN 24. We spend much of the episode talking about the impact the construction of the route had on Stockton, including an interview with Dr. Paul Ong of UCLA, lead author of a paper (“Stockton’s Crosstown Freeway, Urban Renewal, and Asian Americans: Systemic Causes and Impacts“) that explored the impact of the construction of the Stockton Crosstown Freeway on the Asian-American community. We also talk about the project to complete this freeway, and the names given to the freeway. Our last episode on Route 4 will focus on the segment of Route 4 from Stockton to near Markleeville, including the segment through Ebbetts Pass.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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CA RxR 3.01: Route 3: Through the Mountains of JeffersonCA RxR 3.01: Route 3: Through the Mountains of Jefferson

September 29, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 10:29 am

Welcome to Season 3 of California Highways: Route by Route. We promised that the season would start in September, and we’re making it by the wire. Season 3 covers Routes 3 through 7; this is the first episode covering Route 3, which is in Northwest California near Weaverville and Route 299. In this episode, we talk about all things “three”: The third state route, Legislative Route 3, Sign Route 3, and finally the current Route 3. For the current Route 3, we talk about the history of the route, projects currently ongoing on the route, and some naming along the route. We even have a digression on the proposed Interstate 3. We also talk about the state scenic highway system, and how routes earn the golden poppy. The next three episodes will be focused on Route 4.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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CA RxR 2.15: Bonus – Auto TrailsCA RxR 2.15: Bonus – Auto Trails

August 14, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 6:38 pm

As promised, we had one more bonus episode to tide you over during the break between Season 2 and Season 3. In this episode, we explore the auto trails that were in California before we started having signed numbered highways. Auto Trails discussed include (a) trails that are maintained today—El Camino Real, De Anza Trail, Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail. We spends most of the time on the major historic auto trails: Lincoln Highway, Pacific Highway, National Old Trails Road, Old Spanish Trail, and the Arrowhead Trail. Other trails discussed include the Atlantic-Pacific Highway, Bankhead Highway, California to Banff Highway, Dixie Overland Highway, Lee Highway, Lone Star Trail, Midland Trail, New Santa Fe Trail, National Park to Park Highway, Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway, Santa Fe Trail, and the Victory Highway. Regular episodes should resume mid to late September with Season 3, which will cover Route 3 through Route 7.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters (to be updated when the episode posts):

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CA RxR 2.12: Route 2: Hills and Mountains (Glendale and Angeles National Forest)CA RxR 2.12: Route 2: Hills and Mountains (Glendale and Angeles National Forest)

May 6, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 6:07 pm

Episode 2.12 of California Highways: Route by Route is the second of two episodes on Route 2. In this episode, we complete our exploration of Route 2. This time, we focus on the segments in Glendale and through the Angeles National Forest, roughly from US 101 to Route 138. We talk about the pre-freeway routing, the history of the Glendale Freeway, the proposals for an Angeles Forest Freeway, and the history of Angeles Crest Highway. This is the last episode of Season 2. We hope to do some bonus episodes during the season break while we complete writing Season 3, which will cover Route 3 through Route 7.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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CA RxR 2.11: Route 2: In the Flatlands (Santa Monica and Los Angeles)CA RxR 2.11: Route 2: In the Flatlands (Santa Monica and Los Angeles)

April 12, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 6:41 pm

Episode 2.11 of California Highways: Route by Route is the first of two episodes on Route 2. In this episode we explore the general history of all things Route 2: What was the second state route defined; what was legislative route (LRN) 2, what was Sign Route 2, and what is today’s Route 2. We focus on the flatland segment: From Santa Monica to the Glendale Freeway. We do a detailed exploration of the relationship of the Pacific Electric and Santa Monica Blvd; the history of Route 2 and US 66 — and the ever changing routing in Los Angeles and Santa Monica — and the whole story of the never-constructed Beverly Hills Freeway. The last episode of the season will complete our exploration of Route 2 by looking at Route 2 in the hills — the Glendale Freeway and the Angeles Crest Highway.

Note: I made one error in the show: I said the street in West LA was San Vincente. It is San Vicente (and I should know better — I grew up in the area and lived nearby on Darlington). Here’s the history of that name.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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CA RxR 2.10: Route 1: The Lost Coast (incl. Route 208 and Route 211)CA RxR 2.10: Route 1: The Lost Coast (incl. Route 208 and Route 211)

March 10, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 4:37 pm

Episode 2.10 of California Highways: Route by Route completes our exploration of Route 1, as we discuss the “Lost Coast”. This area was originally part of the last segment of LRN 56, and was to be Route 1, but some reworking of the state system made the former lateral between Usal Road and US 101 (which in 1964 became Route 208) officially Route 1, and made the “Lost Coast” portion of the route Route 211. This episode explores the Lost Coast, including the history of Route 208 and Route 211. In our next episode we will move to Route 2, talking about Route 2 in the flatlands: From Santa Monica to and through Glendale, including the Beverly Hills Freeway, the Glendale Freeway, and even some Pacific Electric. We’ll also talk about the Western Terminus of US 66.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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CA RxR 2.09: Route 1: The Redwood ForestCA RxR 2.09: Route 1: The Redwood Forest

February 25, 2024| Daniel| 0 Comment| 5:55 pm

Episode 2.09 of California Highways: Route by Route continues our exploration of Route 1, as we complete discussing present-day Route 1 in Medocino County from Gualala to Leggett and current Route 1’s end at US 101. Along the way, we’ll discuss the communities of Gualala, Point Arena, Albion, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Westport and Rockport, and Leggett. As always, we’ll cover the history of the route, and some current projects along the route. Our next episode will be the last on Route 1, this time covering what was Sign Route 1, and now covers Route 208 and Route 211 in the Lost Coast.

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Spotify for Podcasters:

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