Gribblenation

In this edition Paper Highways the planned California State Highways of the Mojave Desert and San Gabriel Mountains are explored.  This issue will cover the planned routes of; the second CA 48, CA 122, CA 196, and CA 249. Part 1; the wholesale Legislative Route adoptions of 1959 CA 48, CA 122, CA 196, and CA 249 prior to the 1964 State Highway Renumbering all were adopted as planned Legislative Routes ("LRN") in 1959.  Part of the planned LRN 267 west of Lancaster was already part of the existing CA 138 on LRN 59.  CA 48 east of Lancaster was planned as LRN 267 which was to have an eastern terminus at LRN 266.  LRN 266 was planned to originate from CA 2/LRN 61 near La Canada Flintridge and cross north/northeast over the San Gabriel Mountains into the Mojave Desert near Palmdale.  LRN 266 was planned to continue northeast from Palmdale to former US 466/LRN 48 near Hawes.  LRN 266 became CA 249 and CA 122 during the 1964 State Highway Renumbering....

This past week I drove the entirety of California State Route 138 from CA 18 in Crestline westward to Interstate 5 near Gorman. The present alignment of CA 138 is 86 miles in length and travels in an east/west configuration.  CA 138 is a notable highway given it closely follows the San Andreas Fault for much of it's alignment.  CA 138 was one of the original run of 1934 Signed State Highways which was aligned on Legislative Route 59 between US 66 in Cajon west to US 99 near Tejon Pass.  Interestingly east of Phelan it the original definition of CA 138 appears to have been intended to be co-signed with CA 2 to US 66 in Cajon Pass. 1934 Department of Public Works document annoucing the Signed State Highways The multiplex of CA 2/CA 138 to Cajon Pass appears to have never been signed in-field.  On the 1938 State Highway Map only CA 2 is seen meeting US 66/395 in Cajon Pass.  CA 138 appears to end at CA 2 near Phelan. 1938 State Highway Map  LRN 59...