On the Road Again for the Very First Time
Written by Patty O'Reilly, HH80 Board Member and La Mesa Resident

On March 29th a group of eleven from the Historic Highway 80 Corporation Board of Directors took a road trip. All of us know something about the route, but all of us also wanted to know more.

We headed caravanned eastward to exit #80 at the bottom of the Mountain Springs Grade. A short distance straight ahead is a good place to park and look around. A glance to the right shows a portion of the old road from the 1950's. Straight ahead is a partial view of the old Mountains Springs oasis in the green form of half of the palm trees. The other half was banished to the other side of the new highway when it was constructed. A little to the left is a distant view of a portion of the 1927 highway.

Those brave enough – and with a 4-wheel drive – can negotiate a short and bumpy dirt ride to a stretch of that old road. It is narrow and encumbered by many years of rock falls, but can nevertheless be driven a respectable distance, with a cautious turn-around when the rock falls become too restricting. But the views are wonderful and there are many things to be seen, including the date stamps in the road from the original construction. It is particularly interesting to note that the 1927 Portland concrete has stood the test of time and is still in almost mint condition.

After heading back up the grade westbound to the In-Ko-Pah exit we stopped at the popular historic Desert View Tower. The Tower itself was built in 1922-23 by Jacumba resident Bert Vaughn but the location itself was an historic home and resting place of many generations of Native Americans. It has long been a favorite of tourists as well as local residents and remains a great place to stop for a little history and a bit of fun.

The view is magnificent but it is daunting to read the large historical marker near the tower entrance and learn that in the late 19th Century there were ox-drawn wagons carrying goods in both directions over the mountains that had to negotiate a rugged 30% grade. In a stagecoach the trip from Yuma, Arizona to San Diego, California took a full month. It was not a trip for the faint of heart. click here

For maps of the Historic Highway 80 and current I-80 routes click here, map #7.

After leaving the tower we slowly wended our way back to San Diego, driving as much as possible on the old route. We had a late lunch at the old La Posta Diner and came home tired and happy. We had made new friends and learned a lot about our wonderful Historic Highway 80. Give it a try.

Note - We hear many favorite Old Highway 80 memories from people as we're out in the community creating awareness of the route and now we'd like to invite all of you to share your favorite stories with our readers. Please send us your favorite story for inclusion in a future e-Newsletter issue. Stories should be three to five paragraphs and please include a picture if you can.


Emma's House
Contributed by the El Cajon Boulevard BIA

In 1903, Emma Schnugg was born in a little Victorian house located on the 3700 block of El Cajon Boulevard. The building was originally set in National City, built in the early 1880's. The dwelling exemplifies the architectural and social development of a housing district adjacent to the railroad being developed in National City. In 1893, the house was moved by oxcart to its current location.

The development along El Cajon Boulevard between 1902 and the 1920's represents a period of growth and affluence. The daughter of Albert Hill, Emma Schnugg lived till 93, spent her entire life in this house and witnessed a century of dramatic development. Emma inherited the property after both her parents died in 1954.

In the early 1900's, El Cajon Avenue, which didn't become a boulevard until 1937, was just a ‘wagon trail" according to Emma. While Emma was very young, her family tended to two acres of an orchard farm that produced apples, quinces, pears, peaches, apricot, and plums. To get home from downtown her parents walked two miles from Park Boulevard, the closest streetcar stop. By 1909, the streetcar company had a line running out University Avenue to their neighborhood, which made the walk home a lot shorter.

Although Emma has passed away, her memories of El Cajon Boulevard remain. In an interview with Emma, she clearly expressed that although she has fond memories of the past, such as "no crime, no income tax, the air and water were pure, and people were friendly," she appreciated that evolution of modern technology. Apparently kerosene lamps were no comparison to the implementation of electricity.

Did You Know?
US 80 between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama is a National Historic Trail. The Selma to Montgomery National Voting Rights Trail was established by Congress in 1996 to commemorate the events, people, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. The route is also designated as a National Scenic Byway/All-American Road. The Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March consisted of three separate marches along U.S.Hwy. 80--March 7, 1965; March 9, 1965; and March 21, 1955.

HH80 Membership
We would like to welcome the following to the Historic Highway 80 membership:

We invite you to become a member of the Historic Highway 80 Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Memberships start at $25 for individuals. Nonprofit and businesses organizations are encouraged to join as well. Contact Jeanette Perez for more information toll free at 1 800 463 0668 or visit www.OldHighway80.com.

PASSPORT THROUGH TIME
Public Invited to Enjoy Historic Highway Route 80
During 3rd Annual Passport Road Trip Event, Oct. 18, 2008

Historic Highway 80 from the harbor to the backcountry will rumble once again as the 3rd Annual Passport Road Trip takes place on Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 8 am – 2:30 pm. The public is invited to join the "cruise". It will originate at The Automotive Museum in Balboa Park and end at Viejas Outlet Center at 3 pm. Viejas is also hosting its annual BBQ Challenge Cookout where guests will be able to enjoy delicious BBQ meals in conjunction with Historic Highway 80 displays and prize drawings.

The family road trip along nostalgic Highway Route 80 offers everyone a chance to enjoy a piece of American Heritage as caravans of classic cars, sports cars, motorcycles and family autos "cruise" from Balboa Park, proceed through "Passport Stops" and terminate at Viejas Outlet Center off Willows Road east of Alpine. Another group will begin in Yuma, Arizona and proceed through El Centro, the Imperial Valley, and the mountains and valleys of San Diego's backcountry, westward to Viejas.

"We encourage the public to bring kids, grand kids and friends to rediscover the many treasures along Old Highway 80, cities and small towns that were largely bypassed when Interstate 8 was built," said Eric Lund, chair of the event.

To participate in the "Passport" contest, drivers check in at Balboa Park and then choose among the many Pit Stops to have their "Passport" stamped to be eligible for the opportunity to win valuable prizes during the drawing at the Outlet Center. They may also travel further eastward and collect more stamps for more prize opportunities, then return to join the fun at Viejas. The Historic Highway 80 Corporation is a non-profit, charitable organization. The Passport Road Trip is supported by member businesses in the communities along the route. For more information or to learn how you can support the effort to build awareness of Historic Route 80 please call 619.445.0180.

Historic Highway 80 Signs for Sale


24" x 30"........$100.00
12 ½" x 16"........$70.00
Signs are reflective and made of aluminum. They are for indoor or outdoor use. Either size can have the sponsor box with lettering of your choice (no extra charge) or can be plain.

Also on Sale: Official Historic Highway 80 Logo'd Items!


T-Shirts........$15
Lapel Pins........$4
Key Rings Lights.......$3
Key Chains.......$2
Call 619.445.0180 if you'd like to purchase any of the above merchandise.


Celebrate the 3rd Annual Alley Cat Art Walk along Historic Highway 80
Get ready all artists and art lovers! The 3rd Annual Alley Cat Art Walk will be back in Art's Alley on Friday, July 11 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, and Saturday, July 12 from 12:00 - 8:00 pm. The juried art show reception will take place at Sophie's Gallery from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, July 11th and will feature the musical talents of Burt Turetzky. Turetzky has worked with such talents as George Lewis, Robert Erickson, Jan Sutherland, Vinnie Goilia, Wadada Leo Smith, and Eddy Arnold. His most recent achievement is the album "The L.A. Session".

Be on hand for great entertainment including Gregory Page, The Kahuna Cowboys, Alli & The Cats, Paul Nichols, a book signing by Mark Rimland, illustrator of "The Secret Night World of Cats," witness an energetic and engaging percussion movement performance by Jr. "Crew" of Chris Rubio Productions, and much more.

Visit vendor booths, stop at art demonstrations, take your children to a cat mask making class, view cars and motorcycles with artistic designs and vote on your favorite, see sidewalk chalk artists and rock balancers and then relax at the German American Club and enjoy a nice cold beer and a bratwurst sandwich. The Alley Cat Art Walk is all about art and fun for the whole family!

Discover the Arts Along HH80
Artist Daniel Klisser depicts the early development of Historic Highway 80 along El Cajon Boulevard, when there was little to be seen besides open land and scattered homes, such as the little Victorian house that is still situated on the 3700 block of El Cajon Boulevard, where Emma Schnugg was born.