Ridge Route

The Ridge Route: A Historical Highway Through Time

Imagine a road that once connected two halves of California, weaving through mountains and forests with a history as rich as its winding path. The Ridge Route, officially known as the Castaic–Tejon Route, was more than just a highway; it was a lifeline for travelers and a marvel of engineering. Opened in 1915, this two-lane road connected Los Angeles County to Kern County, passing through the Angeles National Forest and featuring several landmarks that have since become part of California’s storied past.

The Road’s Journey

How did such a significant route come into existence? Before the Ridge Route, travel between Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley was less direct. The El Camino Real connected Los Angeles with San Francisco, while the El Camino Viejo split off at Universal City. The Ridge Route followed a southern approach to Bakersfield via Saugus and Gorman.

Engineering Marvels

The Ridge Route was no ordinary road; it was an engineering marvel that cut distance by 24 miles over the Tejon Pass Route or 58 miles over the Midway Route. Construction began in 1914, with 697 curves built over high mountains. The California Highway Commission aimed for an ideal grade of 6 percent to minimize travel time and effort.

The Road’s Legacy

But the Ridge Route wasn’t just about connecting two points; it was a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. In March 1914, a flood destroyed work on the original road plan, leading to significant redos. Deadman’s Curve and the Grapevine loops were bypassed by the Ridge Route Alternate, built directly over most of the old road in this area.

Historical Landmarks

The road passed through several landmarks that have since become part of California’s history. Serpentine Drive curves around hills as it climbs to 3,883 feet above sea level, while Swede’s Cut has a depth of 110 feet. Notable stops include the Sandberg’s Summit Hotel, which burned down in 1961 due to its conversion into a camp-type operation for underprivileged children.

Modern Day

Today, much of the original Ridge Route has been bypassed by US Route 99 (US 99) and later Interstate 5 (I-5). Pieces of the old road are now closed or repurposed. However, portions still exist as Peace Valley Road and Lebec Road, passing over Tejon Pass and past Lebec and Fort Tejon.

Financial Aspects

The construction of the Ridge Route was no small feat financially either. The original road cost $450,000 (about $9.81 million in 2023) and wasn’t fully paid off until 1965. The Ridge Route Alternate was built to shorten the route by 9.6 miles and increase safety and capacity.

Modern Improvements

The road’s evolution continued with the construction of Interstate 5 (I-5) over the mountains in 1960 and again between Castaic Junction and Grapevine in 1970 at a cost of $103 million. However, some sections of the original road were left intact and later incorporated into county roads.

Preservation Efforts

In 1991, Harrison Scott and his son discovered that parts of the old road were still maintained by the county but not by the national park service. Scott worked tirelessly to get the road added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, which was designated as a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2008.

The Ridge Route, a testament to the past, continues to inspire us with its history and engineering prowess. It serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come and the challenges our predecessors faced in building these vital connections.