Featured Image – 1/1/2021
All posts by Michael F Ballard
Featured Image – 12/20/2020
I acquired this postcard recently and wanted to share. It depicts Mission Valley in San Diego. While the exact date is unknown, it is likely from the early 1920’s. So much has changed in this view. It appears to be near I-805 at the south side of the valley and is looking east toward Mission Trails Regional Park. The stadium would be just outside the view to the left. The road along the bottom of the postcard roughly follows Camino Del Rio, which was the predecessor to US 80 / I-8 in the valley.
Saugus Cafe Needs Your Help!
The Saugus Cafe, which has been in business for 132 years, is in danger of closing. With the ongoing crisis, business has slowed and restrictions are in place making it tougher than ever. This restaurant is a part of the history of Santa Clarita and US 99. It is located at 25861 Railroad Avenue (formerly San Fernando Road) in Santa Clarita, California. As a kid, I always enjoyed going there and getting a seat near the window so I could watch the trains go by. I was last able to stop there in January 2020. It isn’t truly a Ridge Route trip without it, as it is the LAST place that is still around that dates to that era AND is along the route.
If you’d like to help save this historic restaurant and learn more, KHTS radio has a detailed article here. The Saugus Cafe has also started a “GoFundMe” account. If you are in the area, please stop by the restaurant and show your support! We need places like this to keep going, as without we lose a part of our heritage and a connection to the past.
This article was originally posted on the
Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s website.
Historic Highway 99 Association
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is a California 501(c)3 Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation, as officially recognized and certified by the State of California.
The main goal of the association is to help educate the public on the historical importance of former US Highway 99 in California. Our additional goals are as follows:
- To help promote travel, tourism, and economic development along the historic roadway through the various towns along the route
- To work with various agencies to protect and preserve any historic structures such as bridges, buildings, and other cultural resources along all alignments of former US 99
- To help support signage efforts along the route, such as Business Route and/or Historic Route signs directing travelers to the old road.
- To develop a cohesive statewide plan for the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of former US 99 in California.
- To develop and support various meets along the roadway, such as car shows, swap meets, and historical tours.
- To raise funds to support all these goals.
If you would like to help with this effort, contact them at their website:
T.M. Schultze Photography
I recently discovered a treasure trove of photography for US 80 and more. T.M. Schultze is based in the San Diego area and has a big interest in old highways, as well as rock art, scenery, and more. He has quite a passion for the art and I strongly recommend checking this site out.