Historic U.S. Route 99 Bakersfield
Tax deductible
Objective:
The Kern County Historical Society wants your support and donations to help raise money necessary to fund the Historic U.S. Route 99 sign project. The funds donated to the KCHS will help cover the cost of the signage, hardware, permits, and/or labor associated with the project. We intend to place signage along the old U.S. Route 99 alignments:
1926-1933
So. Union Ave., Union Avenue, 18th St, Chester Avenue, Roberts Lane.
1934-1963
So Union Ave., Golden State Fwy, Airport Dr.
Historic Background:
In the mid-to-late 1800s, much of Bakersfield was a swamp (Kern Delta) due to the watershed of the Kern River. Transportation was done either by means of horse-drawn stage coaches or by ferries along rivers and canals.
North Central Bakersfield Circa 1907, photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
With the settlement of California came the need for a better transportation system in order to conduct more efficient business deals among miners, farmers, Investors and settlers. Mountain terrain was a major set back for business between Los Angeles and the Central Valley. The only routes available to Bakersfield were through other small trails from the central coast via El Camino Real or the high desert via El Camino Viejo. No direct route to the central valley existed at the time and in part played a major political role in the development of California. It was often brought to the table by politicians to split California into two states, but in 1909, the California Division of Highways began to play a much more important role in the state's development and transportation.
By 1914, construction of Legislative Route No. 4 began and was completed in 1915. The Ridge Route was a part of LRN4 and allowed a more direct connection between Los Angeles into Bakersfield through the mountainous terrain of Sierra Pelona and Tehachapi mountains.
1928 ACSC Road Map
Grapevine on the Old Ridge Route Road Circa 1920, photo courtesy of USC Automobile Club Archives
Bakersfield Californian Article on the Old Ridge Route
The greatest obstacle was building a road from Tejon Pass to So. Union Avenue due to the sandy like consistency of the land left behind by the marshlands caused by the watershed of the Kern River.
Tejon Pass Circa 1868, Photo Courtesy of the Library of Congress
So. Union Avenue Circa 1888, Photo Courtesy of Chris Brewer, Pastorials 2nd Ed. Pg. 39.
Construction of Road from the Grapevine to Bakersfield Circa 1914, Photo Courtesy of Harrison Irving Scott, Ridge Route (2015), Pg. 46.
In 1926, LRN 4 became part of the Federal Highway System and was re-designated U.S. Route 99.
1928 Rand McNally Road Map of 1926-1933 U.S. Route 99 Alignment.
In 1934, the route's alignment changed from Chester Avenue to No. Union Avenue. An underpass was built under the Santa Fe Railroad tracks to accommodate the larger volume of traffic.
Union Ave Circa 1931, Photo Courtesy of Chris Brewer.
Bakersfield Californian, December 14, 1933, Pg. 13
Picture of Underpass Built for U.S. 99 Traffic in 1934
1934-1963 Alignment of U.S. Route 99.
By 1963, a straighter 99 bypass was built from Union Avenue to Airport Drive. Therefore, rendering the old alignment of U.S. 99 a business route.
Why is this project important?
This project is an important part of Bakersfield and Kern County's history. It involves cultural, educational and economical significance to many residents of this city as well as the State of California. During the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, many desperate families made their way to California in search of a new start at life after losing all or part of what they once had. U.S. Route 99 played an important role in California's history; it did its job well and now that it's a retired road, it deserves recognition for all its time it rendered service to the American people.
How will the community and people benefit from this project?
Local history is important to every town. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 tourists visit California each year. The Historic U.S. Route 99 Project will allow businesses along the old alignment to keep busy in order to entertain the people wishing to take the road less traveled in order to get a feel of what "California Main Street Highways" were like at one point in time. This project will also help educate local children about the value of their community and how engineering played an important role in the transportation of our state.
Long term benefits:
Community rehabilitation and development has to start somewhere. As more tourists decide to visit our inner city, local businesses will generate a good source of income and in turn may want to improve or rehabilitate their properties to become more aesthetically appealing to travelers. Summer is right around the corner and now is the time to come together and make this project happen so that travelers can see our hard work at play.
If you have any questions or would like more information about California U.S. 99 please click on the link below:
Take the U.S. Route 99 Tour
Thank you in advance for your support!
The Kern County Historical Society wants your support and donations to help raise money necessary to fund the Historic U.S. Route 99 sign project. The funds donated to the KCHS will help cover the cost of the signage, hardware, permits, and/or labor associated with the project. We intend to place signage along the old U.S. Route 99 alignments:
1926-1933
So. Union Ave., Union Avenue, 18th St, Chester Avenue, Roberts Lane.
1934-1963
So Union Ave., Golden State Fwy, Airport Dr.
Historic Background:
In the mid-to-late 1800s, much of Bakersfield was a swamp (Kern Delta) due to the watershed of the Kern River. Transportation was done either by means of horse-drawn stage coaches or by ferries along rivers and canals.
North Central Bakersfield Circa 1907, photo courtesy of the Library of CongressWith the settlement of California came the need for a better transportation system in order to conduct more efficient business deals among miners, farmers, Investors and settlers. Mountain terrain was a major set back for business between Los Angeles and the Central Valley. The only routes available to Bakersfield were through other small trails from the central coast via El Camino Real or the high desert via El Camino Viejo. No direct route to the central valley existed at the time and in part played a major political role in the development of California. It was often brought to the table by politicians to split California into two states, but in 1909, the California Division of Highways began to play a much more important role in the state's development and transportation.
By 1914, construction of Legislative Route No. 4 began and was completed in 1915. The Ridge Route was a part of LRN4 and allowed a more direct connection between Los Angeles into Bakersfield through the mountainous terrain of Sierra Pelona and Tehachapi mountains.
1928 ACSC Road Map Grapevine on the Old Ridge Route Road Circa 1920, photo courtesy of USC Automobile Club ArchivesBakersfield Californian Article on the Old Ridge Route The greatest obstacle was building a road from Tejon Pass to So. Union Avenue due to the sandy like consistency of the land left behind by the marshlands caused by the watershed of the Kern River.
Tejon Pass Circa 1868, Photo Courtesy of the Library of CongressSo. Union Avenue Circa 1888, Photo Courtesy of Chris Brewer, Pastorials 2nd Ed. Pg. 39.Construction of Road from the Grapevine to Bakersfield Circa 1914, Photo Courtesy of Harrison Irving Scott, Ridge Route (2015), Pg. 46.In 1926, LRN 4 became part of the Federal Highway System and was re-designated U.S. Route 99.
1928 Rand McNally Road Map of 1926-1933 U.S. Route 99 Alignment.In 1934, the route's alignment changed from Chester Avenue to No. Union Avenue. An underpass was built under the Santa Fe Railroad tracks to accommodate the larger volume of traffic.
Union Ave Circa 1931, Photo Courtesy of Chris Brewer.Bakersfield Californian, December 14, 1933, Pg. 13Picture of Underpass Built for U.S. 99 Traffic in 19341934-1963 Alignment of U.S. Route 99.By 1963, a straighter 99 bypass was built from Union Avenue to Airport Drive. Therefore, rendering the old alignment of U.S. 99 a business route.
Why is this project important?
This project is an important part of Bakersfield and Kern County's history. It involves cultural, educational and economical significance to many residents of this city as well as the State of California. During the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, many desperate families made their way to California in search of a new start at life after losing all or part of what they once had. U.S. Route 99 played an important role in California's history; it did its job well and now that it's a retired road, it deserves recognition for all its time it rendered service to the American people.
How will the community and people benefit from this project?
Local history is important to every town. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 tourists visit California each year. The Historic U.S. Route 99 Project will allow businesses along the old alignment to keep busy in order to entertain the people wishing to take the road less traveled in order to get a feel of what "California Main Street Highways" were like at one point in time. This project will also help educate local children about the value of their community and how engineering played an important role in the transportation of our state.
Long term benefits:
Community rehabilitation and development has to start somewhere. As more tourists decide to visit our inner city, local businesses will generate a good source of income and in turn may want to improve or rehabilitate their properties to become more aesthetically appealing to travelers. Summer is right around the corner and now is the time to come together and make this project happen so that travelers can see our hard work at play.
If you have any questions or would like more information about California U.S. 99 please click on the link below:
Take the U.S. Route 99 Tour
Thank you in advance for your support!
Organizer
Fatima Al-Bugharin
Organizer
Bakersfield, CA
Kern County Historical Society (K.C.H.S.)
Beneficiary