Category Archives: Advocacy

Advocacy, Fundraising, Highways, History, Los Angeles County, Ridge Route, Santa Clarita, US 99

Saugus Cafe Needs Your Help!

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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.

Advocacy, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Updates, US 99

Historic Highway 99 Association

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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:

https://historic99.org

Advocacy, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, US 99

Historic Highway 99 Association News

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The Historic Highway 99 Association of California is getting ready to get going. Within the next week or so, it will be officially incorporated. It is currently looking for people to help with some of the administrative end, specifically with two board members and regional support. If you’re interested in bringing positive change to Historic US 99, why not check it out?

Association Positions Available – Historic Highway 99 Association of California

Advocacy, California, Fundraising, History

Save California Landmarks

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There are many historic locations in California. Many of them are marked with plaques. Over time, these have been stolen or otherwise gone missing. A group, called the California Landmark Foundation, is working toward replacing those markers. They are looking for your help.

https://savethelandmarks.org/

Advocacy, California, Highways, Roads, Updates, US 99, Website News

Historic Highway 99 Association of California

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After doing a bit more research and speaking with other groups, I have decided to move forward with my plan to create a new Highway 99 group. This will be a great opportunity to be more active in helping revive US 99 as well as historic businesses along the route. Some of the goals include historic route signage, events, tours, and public outreach.

I will be submitting the paperwork for incorporating the association next week as a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation. Once the documents are accepted and certified, I will begin the process to obtain tax-exempt status from the IRS and California FTB. This process may take a while.

A new website has also been created for the association at Historic99.Org. The site will be updated as this progresses. If you want to get involved, please head on over! Keep in mind that, until tax-exempt status is obtained, no monetary donations will be taken. In the interim, all are welcome to subscribe to the website.