Laytonville is an unincorporated community located in Mendocino County along US Route 101 (Redwood Highway). This small community has been US Route 101 since 1926 and part of the Redwood Highway since the 1909 First State Highway Bond Act. While improvements to the highway in Laytonville have been minimal it has seen substantial modernization in the general area.
This blog will serve as an exploration of the history US Route 101 in the Laytonville area. The blog cover depicts a southward view on US Route 101 in the community during the 1940s.
Part 1; the history of US Route 101 in Laytonville
What is now Laytonville was founded in 1874 by Nova Scotian settler Frank B. Layton. Layton established a blacksmith shop on the stage route between Willits and the Bell Springs Grade. The Laytonville Post Office would open for service during 1879.
The history of what would become US Route 101 in Laytonville began with the approval of the 1909 First State Highway Bond Act. The First State Highway Bond Act was approved by voters during 1910 and was the genesis point of some of the most notable highways in California. Legislative Route Number 1 as originally plotted was a new State Highway which was designated between San Francisco north to Crescent City.
Early Legislative Route Number 1 can be seen passing through Laytonville below in 1910 (public domain photo).
The July 1914 California Highway Bulletin announced surveys for Legislative Route Number 1 from Arnold north through Laytonville to the Rattlesnake Grade were complete. These surveys comprised 24 miles of State Highway.
Prior to the construction of Legislative Route Number 1 wagon borne traffic heading north from Cummings to Humboldt County had to ascend the treacherous Rattlesnake Grade (also known as the Bell Springs Grade). The Rattlesnake Grade is described in the July 1916 California Highway Bulletin as being only passable during the summer months. The initial northward climb on the Rattlesnake Grade ascended grades as high as 20% the from Cummings to the 4,100-foot-high Bell Springs Mountain. The descent from Bell Mountain to Dyerville (now on California State Route 254/Avenue of the Giants) is described as having grades as steep as 30% amid an elevation drop of just over 3,900 feet. The construction of Legislative Route Number 1 (then known as the Mendocino State Highway) sought to follow the Eel River watershed to bypass the Rattlesnake Grade.
Legislative Route Number 1 (red line) can be seen passing through Laytonville on the 1917 California State Automobile Association Map. The planned highway is shown branching from the Bell Springs Grade north of Laytonville at Cummings into the South Fork Eel River Canyon.
Legislative Route Number 1 would be extended to the Oregon State Line during the 1919 Third State Highway Bond Act and came be known as the Redwood Highway. In November 1926 the US Route System was created by the American Association of State Highway Officials. US Route 101 from San Francisco north to Crescent City was aligned over the Redwood Highway. Both US Route 101 and the Redwood Highway can be seen aligned through Laytonville on the 1927 Rand McNally Highway Map of California.
The September 1932 California Highways & Public Works featured the straightening of US Route 101 over Rattlesnake Summit north of Laytonville. The straightening eliminated 89 curves between Rock Creek a short distance north of the Bell Springs Grade.
US Route 101 likely during the early 1930s can be seen below (photo attribution unknown).
The October 1937 California Highways & Public Works featured an ongoing project which removed an additional 49 curves from US Route 101 over Rattlesnake Summit. The project was let with a time limit which required it be complete by November 1937.
This photo of US Route 101 was taken during the late 1930s (photo attribution unknown).
The January 1939 California Highways & Public Works featured the Long Valley Creek Bridge on US Route 101 between Willits and Laytonville. This structure was noted to be one of many inadequate bridges in Division of Highways District I.
This photo of southbound US Route 101 in Laytonville was taken during the 1940s (photo attribution unknown). The California State Automobile Associate sign on the right notes Ukiah to be 47 miles away.
The March/April 1958 California Highways & Public Works announced US Route 101 north of Laytonville between Farmhouse Inn Tan Oak Park was being widened to four-lane expressway standards during the summer season.
The July/August 1958 California Highways & Public Works announced US Route 101 south of Laytonville between Reeves Creek and Old Sherwood Road was being widened to four lane standards.
The September/October 1961 California Highways & Public Works back cover featured the recently widened four-lane segment of US Route 101 between Willits and Laytonville.
This aerial photo of US Route 101 in Laytonville was taken in 1964 (E.F. Clements postcard).
Part 2; a drive on US Route 101 through the Laytonville area
US Route 101 between Willits and Laytonville intersects the western segment of California State Route 162 at Postmile MEN 59.30. This roadway provides access to Covelo on the Round Valley Reservation and Mendocino Pass Road. Mendocino Pass Road is a seasonal highway which connects to eastern California State Route 162 in Sacramento Valley.
US Route 101 continues north and enters Laytonville proper. At Postmile MEN 69.50 the highway intersects Branscomb Road.
US Route 101 north of the Laytonville business area is named CHP Officer Paul C Jarske Memorial HIghway.
As northbound US Route 101 departs Laytonville and approaches the grade to Rattlesnake Summit traffic is advised Leggett is 21 miles away.
US Route 101 crosses Rattlesnake Summit and intersects Bell Springs Road at Postmile MEN 81.18. As noted in Part 1, the Bell Springs Grade was previously the primary highway north to Humboldt County before the Redwood Highway was constructed.
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