Historic U.S. Highway 99 - California Travel Information
Historic U.S. Highway 99
U.S. 99, once the "Main Street of California," was eliminated as an extant route during the 1964 California U.S. Highway Purge. It was mostly replaced by Interstate 5, although a significant portion exists today as California 99 and California 86. Along with U.S. 60, 70, 80, and 91, U.S. 99 was eliminated in its entirety from the Golden State. Moreover, just like U.S. 66, U.S. 399, and U.S. 466, the entire route of U.S. 99 was eliminated. The last U.S. 99 shields on the route from Calexico to Blaine, Washington, were gone by the early 1970s. In spite of this, much of the historical route of U.S. 99 has been signed with brown markers to keep the spirit of the former Main Street alive. This page chronicles some extant segments.
Immediately upon turning from southbound California 111/Imperial Avenue onto eastbound Second Street is this shield assembly showing the historic U.S. 99 shield along with an "END" U.S. 99 shield. While this intersection was not really the southern end of U.S. 99, it is the point where U.S. 99 used to turn east briefly for three blocks, then turn south again at Heffernan Avenue to cross the former border crossing into Mexico. Photo taken 01/27/06.
The cut-out U.S. 99 shield is made to today's Caltrans standard, and brown historic shield incorporates an older specification shield. The California Division of Highways insignia is located at the bottom tip of the U.S. 99 shield, which is authentic. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Two more historic U.S. 99 shields are posted along eastbound 2nd Street. This is the first of those two shields. They are both posted alongside the arches that support the facade of most of the shops along Second Street. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Another U.S. 99 historic sign is posted on the next block, between Rockwood Avenue and Heffernan Avenue. Note the redundant "HISTORIC" designation posted above and below the U.S. 99 shield. The upcoming intersection is Heffernan Avenue, and this is where U.S. 99 used to turn south to the former border crossing into Mexico. According to Casey Cooper's Finding U.S. 99 in California, U.S. 99 used to connect to Heffernan Avenue via 3rd Street rather than 2nd Street, but today 2nd Street is recognized as the old alignment of U.S. 99. Photo taken 01/27/06.
After Heffernan Avenue (which takes U.S. 99 south toward the former border crossing), 2nd Street continues east for another block as a one-way street, but it will change into a two-way street after Heber Avenue (one block ahead). A historic J.C. Penney's is located on the north side of 2nd Street. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Behind the bus stop in the median island, U.S. 99 reaches its southern terminus at the border fence. Today, there is no access to Mexico through this former border crossing. Now traffic must use the California 111 or California 7 crossings to the city of Mexicali. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Next to the old border crossing is the old customs house, which is located to the east of the old port of entry. The building is still federally owned and used by the Border Patrol (as near as we could tell). Photos taken 01/27/06.
The menacing and seemingly impervious border fence marks the southern terminus of U.S. 99, after its journey all the way from British Columbia. Photo taken 01/27/06.
U.S. 99 Northbound in Calexico
Standing in front of the border fence looking north, the bus stop that signifies the southern terminus of U.S. 99 lies in the view of the former federal highway that used to follow Heffernan Avenue north from here into the United States. To the right (east) sits the customs house, and the next intersection is with First Street. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Northbound U.S. 99/Heffernan Avenue meets First Street at this intersection. Photo taken 01/27/06.
A BEGIN U.S. 99 shield is posted at the intersection between Heffernan Avenue and First Street in downtown Calexico. Photo taken 01/27/06.
The cut-out U.S. 99 shield is made to today's Caltrans standard, and brown historic shield incorporates an older specification shield. The California Division of Highways insignia is located at the bottom tip of the U.S. 99 shield, which is authentic. Photos taken 01/27/06.
Continuing north, U.S. 99 followed Heffernan Avenue briefly, then took Second Street west to today's California 111 west of downtown, then turned north to travel toward El Centro (via California 86). Photo taken 01/27/06.
U.S. 99 at Imperial-Riverside County Line
This original section of former U.S. 99 features single-slab concrete in the Imperial Valley, just south of the Riverside-Imperial County Line. Power lines parallel this old alignment, making it easy to locate, but there are pieces of rebar metal that protrude from the concrete surface, making vehicular travel somewhat hazardous. The new California 86 expressway is located to the east (left) of here. This old alignment is no longer in use and truly is a "lost highway." Photo taken 01/17/00.
U.S. 99 near Durham
This historic U.S. 99 shield is located along Midway Road south of Chico near Durham (old U.S. 99E). Photo taken by Joel Windmiller, 03/29/02.
U.S. 99 in Dunsmuir
Historic U.S. 99 used to be signed with shields such as this one along Business Loop I-5 in Dunsmuir. Photos taken by Jerry Mullady, 03/99.
