County Route G19 is an approximately eight and half mile long highway signed along Nacimiento Lake Drive which bridges the San Antonio River in Monterey County. The highway begins at County Route G14/Interlake Road in San Luis Obispo County and terminates at County Route G18/Jolon Road near Bradley in Monterey County. County Route G19 most notably was the first roadway in Monterey County which had a bridge constructed over the San Antonio River (constructed in 1921). Pictured as the blog cover is a view of the footing of the 1921 San Antonio River Bridge contrasted to the 2023 span.
Part 1; the history of County Route G19
Prior to the 1920s none of the roads crossing the San Antonio River in Monterey County had bridges. Traffic wishing to cross the San Antonio River had to utilize fords.
Godfrey Road (now County Route G19) is shown to be present on the 1919 United States Geological Survey map of Bradley. The road is shown descend to the San Antonio River via Bee Rock Canyon and Branch Ranch. The road emerged from what is now Vista Lane and crossed the San Antonio River via ford located east of the modern highway bridge near Pleyto Well. Much of the roadway north of the river is shown to be the same as modern County Route G19 to Jolon Road (County Route J18).
During 1921 Monterey County constructed a single-lane four span Pratt Truss at the San Antonio River on Godfrey Road. The structure was 292 feet long and was the only bridge over the river for several year. The modernized Godfrey Road can be seen with the 1921-era bridge on the 1948 United States Geological Survey map of Bradley.
During 1956 the Monterey County Water Resource Agency completed Nacimiento Dam on the namesake river in northern San Luis Obispo County. In 1965 the agency would complete San Antonio Dam. Concurrent to the construction of both dams Godfrey Road be relocated out of Bee Rock Canyon. A new alignment was constructed through Sulphur Canyon to Interlake Road in San Luis Obispo County to provide better connectivity with the two reservoirs.
The entirety of Godfrey Road was designated as County Route G19 in 1971. The highway can be seen utilizing Sulphur Canyon to reach Interlake Road on the 1976 United States Geological Survey map of Bradley.
During modern times Godfrey Road would be renamed as "Nacimiento Lake Drive." During June 2020 the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved replacing the 1921 San Antonio River Bridge. The structure was replaced with a new bridge during 2023. The southern approach to the 1921 span was preserved and a historic plaque was installed.
Part 2; a drive on County Route G19
Northbound County Route G19 begins in San Luis Obispo County as County Route G14 transitions onto County Route G14.
County Route G19 descends northbound through Sulphur Canyon into Monterey County. The highway makes a sharp right-hand turn at Vista Drive.
County Route G19 runs alongside the San Antonio River and crosses the 2023 bridge. The footing of the 1921 span can be seen just to the west of the modern structure.
As noted in Part 1 the 1921 San Antonio River Bridge footing has a historic plaque.
The 1921 San Antonio River Bridge as it appears circa 2012 in Google Street View.
County Route J19 ascends north from the San Antonio River and terminates at County Route J18 near Bradley.
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