All posts by Michael F Ballard

Michael F Ballard is the author and administrator of the Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads website, https://socalregion.com, since 1995. I have been studying the geology and highway history throughout southern California for most of my life. I am also the President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. Founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California, https://historic99.org .
California, Highways, History, Roads, US 99

Historic 99 Association?

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I’ve been doing a bit of thinking lately regarding a 99 association here in California. I can’t seem to find one that exists. There are ones for US 6, US 66, the Lincoln Highway, and US 80. US 99, one of the most important roads in California, doesn’t have one. So, I am looking into creating one. Things are very preliminary at this point. The group would help increase awareness of the roads history, work with tourism and business groups to promote the road, work to save historic sections / buildings / bridges. Having a statewide organization would help further these goals.

Do you think there is interest in creating one? Would you like to get involved in any part of the process? Tell us what you think!

History, Image, Los Angeles County, Railroads, Santa Clarita

Featured Image – 10/29/2020 – Magic Mountain Train Station

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Former “Spillikin Corners” train station

Back in the 1970’s, long before it was known as “Six Flags Magic Mountain”, it was simply known as “Magic Mountain” and had an area known as “Spillikin Corners”. At the time, it had a train which ran in a loop, not unlike so many other parks of the era. The train was gone by the 1980’s, and the area is now known for rollercoasters such as “West Coast Racers” and “Apocalypse”. This train platform was adjacent to the path that led between “Apocalypse” and “Roaring Rapids”. Sadly, these last remnants of old Magic Mountain were removed in 2018. The photo shows the last remnants of a platform which last saw use more than 35 years ago, likely longer. Do you have memories or photos of the trains there?

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California, CBR650FA, Image, Motorcycle, Ridge Route

Featured Image – 10/7/2020

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Historic US 99 indeed!

In addition to my license plate for my Honda CBR650FA, I have added a frame for the Ridge Route. In time, I hope to be able to get these made as a fundraiser for the Ridge Route Preservation Organization, and not just for motorcycles. I shall also be finally taking this plate, and the motorcycle over the entirety of the Ridge Route in the not-too-distant future.

Caltrans, District 7, Highways, Image, Los Angeles County, Roads, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California, SR-39

Featured Image – 9/17/2020

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Looking south toward the closed section of Highway 39 from Angeles Crest Highway (State 2) in 2009

A look back to happier times in the San Gabriel Mountains. Taken on August 22, 2009, just a few days before the Station Fire started. Over the past few days, this section of the mountains has burned in the Bobcat Fire, which is ongoing.

Website News

A request for Visitors

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I know this is a bit of a different post, but I am asking for a bit of help with the website. As this site has been up for a long time (25 years now), it has gone through many changes. In the late 1990’s, I had to shrink the size of the site, which resulted in images being cropped or otherwise made smaller. Some of those images persist today. Other times, full size images didn’t quite move over as I had hoped when I changed formats or framework for the site. What I ask is this – If you find an image / map / whatever that when clicked on is still small, please let me know! Include a link to the image and the page it is on, so that I can track it down and correct it. I would like to have full size images, when possible, as they may help illustrate what I was trying to show a lot easier. I have most of the original images in their original size, so it won’t be tough to do.

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