Highways and Byways - Gaviota, California
Posted by: 
hotshoe
N 34° 29.108 W 120° 13.712
10S E 754511 N 3819435
An interesting sign about the history of the highway, at the highway rest stop
Waymark Code: WM6423
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/29/2009
Views: 5
The rest stop contains a history-book's worth of information on a series of bronze plaques. This one seems particularly appropriate, since it describes the history of this exact stretch of road.
The text of the plaque:
"Highway 101 has gone by many names: State Route 2, the Coast Highway, and
El Camino Real, the King's Highway. Originally a meandering foot trail that
followed the creek, Gaviota Pass was slightly widened for stagecoaches around
1861. Even so, the roadway remained primitive and was often impassable or
washed out completely in bad weather, and travelers were marooned at high
tide when beaches flooded. The Southern Pacific surveyed Gaviota Pass in the
1880s, but decided a train route through the Pass would require too many
bridges and tunnels, so the coastal route was adopted. In 1900 the spectacular
trestle at Gaviota and the final section of track linking Los Angeles and San
Francisco were completed near here. The growing popularity of the automobile
made further road improvements necessary. Although the old Coast Highway
was graded and graveled, it was not until the narrow concrete roadway of State
Route 2 was constructed in 1915 that the Pass became dependable. As you read
this plaque, you are standing on a remnant section of that road."
Group that erected the marker: State of California
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Northbound Highway 101 at Gaviota Rest Area
Gaviota, CA USA
93117
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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