First-Time Traveler on a Magic Highway
Written by Paula L. Brandes, HH80 Board Member
Executive Director of the San Diego Automotive Museum

On Saturday, May 2nd, a gang from the San Diego Automotive Museum decided to get together for a rough and tumble day of four-wheeling in the Anza-Borrego desert. Only one of our group of four had ever done anything like this, so it was a true adventure for the "newbies" among us (myself included). We stared in awe at the amazing rock formations and yelled with raucous abandon as we bounced up and down the washes and arroyos. A mandatory trip to the Iron Door in Ocotillo Wells for an ice-cold beer seemed a fitting way to end our day in the wind, sand, and sun. But little did we know that our day was far from over.

As we pointed our weary selves in the direction of home, one of the group asked if I had ever stopped to see the Desert Tower. I had seen it from the road many times, but I had never made an official visit. Stopping there was the beginning of the second half of the day's adventures. After climbing around in the "caves" and taking in the incredible views, we decided to motor down Historic Highway 80 for the rest of the way home. It was a detour I had often contemplated but had never done. I had always been in such a hurry to get to Arizona or to get home that I had only passed the road signs and markers with a passing nod. But Saturday changed all of that.

I am so fortunate to have been a passenger that day. I sat and marveled at all the sights and listened to my driving companion tell scores of tales about the many times he drove the old highway as a teenager. He pointed out special trees where his family stopped for picnics on their way to Tucson, old buildings he referred to fondly as "relics with big stories," and iconic shops like the Wisteria Candy Cottage in Boulevard where the "chocolate-dipped sea foam is like heaven." We talked about the healing waters of the springs and how people from Imperial Valley drove into the mountains to enjoy the curative waters and escape the heat of summer.

We passed through places that now simply mark history and we visited places still very much alive with kids on bikes and folks cooking burgers on the grill. I still have a hard time believing this was all right here in San Diego County, within easy reach of my front door. I began to understand the hearty "pioneers" who settled along that highway so many years ago, and I marvel at their spunk and willingness to create meaningful communities with so much history and charm.

We didn't intend to experience a highway miracle that day. Those are the best kind of miracles because they wake up your soul. There is a lot of heart and soul out there on that old road, and I can't wait to go back and drive it again. Soon. Very soon.

Note - We hear many favorite Old Highway 80 memories from people as we're out in the community creating awareness of the route so 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 no longer than three to five paragraphs and please include a picture if you can.


Old Highway 80 is Always Open
Video Production by Rob Constantine, HH80 Board Member





LOST HIGHWAYS OF EAST COUNTY: TRAVELING OLD HWY 80 IS A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
East County Magazine
By Miriam Raftery

"Just like the Roman Empire, things that are built can decay, but they're never lost as long as you keep them in your heart." – Christian Woempner

Traveling down Old Highway 80 with a man who helped build it proved a nostalgic and fascinating journey. "I love the sound of tires," Craig Woemper, a 39-year veteran of Cal-Trans, said as the road ker-thumped beneath us. Raised in rural East County, Craig and his son, Christian, joined ECM's editor and videographer for a trip down memory lane, providing insights not only into the road's colorful history, but also sharing lore and legends of our region, assuring that these memories will not be consigned to the dust bin of history.

Once known as the "Broadway of America," Highway 80 was the first coast-to-coast highway in the U.S. Locally it was built in stages, starting in 1917. In 1972, the roadway was officially decommissioned from Texas to California following completion of Interstate 8. Vestiges remain, including well-preserved sections in East County that have sparked interest among nostalgia buffs. Historic California 80 Corporation, a local group, seeks to preserve Old 80's heritage: www.oldhighway80.com.

To read more of this article, visit www.eastcountymagazine.org


Did you know?
US 80 passes through downtown Meridian, Mississippi, the home of Jimmie Rodgers, "The Singing Brakeman", father of country music.


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