El Camino Real Relics in Santa Barbara

Back during the first half of December 2013, I had traveled out to California to follow the New York Islanders ice hockey club on a trip where they were playing the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. While I had wanted to take a road trip like this around the Golden State for a number of years, I also wanted to take in a few things that California had to offer. After all, I was a long way from my home in Upstate New York. Being a history buff as well as a road enthusiast and hockey fan, I decided to check out the Old Mission Santa Barbara along my way from Los Angeles to San Jose on US Highway 101. With missions being a part of California's Spanish history, this had to be a win-win. Upon parking at the mission, I had spotted a few other historic relics that I wasn't quite expecting to see at the mission itself.

Historic El Camino Real marker bell.

Historic Auto Club of Southern California road sign.

You may be wondering what the deal with the bell is, especially if you're not quite familiar with California. There were a number of bells that marked the historic route of the El Camino Real, which followed US 101 and other modern roads between Orange County and Sonoma County. There was a Mission Bell Marker system that has existed on the Historic El Camino Real since 1906, with a bell placed one mile apart along the El Camino Real. Modern renditions of the bells can be found along US 101, plus you can even buy your own El Camino Real bell if you have some cash to spare. The bell in at the Old Mission Santa Barbara is an older bell, complete with an old road sign from the Auto Club of Southern California made of porcelain enamel material.

As for that Spanish mission in Santa Barbara I visited, it is now a great museum to check out. Even Junipero Serra himself would agree. I learned a lot and enjoyed my visit.

The exterior of the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Inside the courtyard inside the mission.

Fr. Junipero Serra statue.

Sources and Links
1. Conejo Valley Guide - The Story Behind Those Historic El Camino Real Bell Markers on the 101 Freeway
2. California Highways - US Highway 101
3. CalTrafficSigns.com - California Highway Signs
4. Doug Kerr / Flickr - Mission Santa Barbara Photo Gallery

Comments

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California. Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada. The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926. Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938. A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947. Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association. Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe. Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works during its Centennial Edition. The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush. The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway. In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50. The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County. That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848. During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties. From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort. Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through. The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70. Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains. When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate. The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking. At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap. NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south. This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40. The Centra...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog