DATE: September 27, 2005
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Support For Designation of Old Highway 80 as
a State Historical Route
SUMMARY:
Once called the “Broadway of America,” Old Highway 80 was
a true intercontinental highway, running between San Diego, California
and Savannah, Georgia.
By 1974, in San Diego and Imperial Counties, most of the highway was replaced
by Interstate 8, leaving the old road frozen in time. Today, parts of
this once busy highway are among the loneliest in San Diego County.
Today’s action will adopt a resolution by the San Diego County Board
of Supervisors in support of designating Old Highway 80 as a State Historical
Route. In addition, today’s action will authorize a letter to be
signed by the Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
to the San Diego State Legislative Delegation, stating San Diego County’s
support for the designation of Old Highway 80 as a State Historic Route.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Supervisor Dianne Jacob:
- Adopt the resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF OLD HIGHWAY 80 AS A STATE HISTORIC ROUTE. - Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for signature by the Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors to all members of the San Diego State Legislative Delegation, the Administration, and the County’s Sacramento Representative in support of designating Old Highway 80 as a State Historical Route.
- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include in the Board’s 2005 Legislative Program support for historic designation of Old Highway 80 as a State Historical Route.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
BACKGROUND:
Once called the “Broadway of America,” Old Highway 80 was
a true intercontinental highway, running between San Diego, California
and Savannah, Georgia.
By 1974, in San Diego and Imperial Counties, most of the highway was replaced
by Interstate 8, leaving the old road frozen in time. Today, parts of
this once busy highway are among the loneliest in San Diego County.
Today, a committee of volunteers representing various communities, cities,
chambers of commerce and civic organizations in East County realize the
importance of designating Old Highway 80 as a historic route. Designation
as a State Historical Route has great potential to bring together tourism,
community development and economic development. It is the committee’s
hope that they will be able to promote the route and other side trips
to travelers and visitors, noting its historic elements, landmarks and
businesses that could be visited along the way. Long forgotten memories
can be rediscovered along this ‘old stretch’ from the Pacific
Ocean to the Arizona border, bringing a part of the past back to life.
Given the documented history of Old Highway 80, today’s action will
register San Diego County’s support for it’s formal designation
as a State Historical Route. I urge your support!
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN
DIEGO SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF
OLD HIGHWAY 80 AS A STATE HISTORIC ROUTE
WHEREAS, Old Highway 80 became the first ‘Ocean to
Ocean’ highway, connecting Savannah, Georgia and San Diego California;
and
WHEREAS, in the west, Old Highway 80 spans across a vast desert, through
an agricultural valley, into a prehistoric ocean, over a mountain range,
and to finally the ocean. Each little place along the way has humble appeal
and a unique history; and
WHEREAS, though it remained in service longer than many other California
U.S. highways, it was officially decommissioned in California on July
1, 1964; and
WHEREAS, the route remains in drivable condition throughout most of Southern
California and in fact, it allows one to drive over 4 miles of 1930’s-era
concrete with several vintage bridges and even includes many old wooden
guardrails still in their original place, and
WHEREAS, designation of Old Highway 80 as a State Historical Route has
great potential to bring together tourism, community development and economic
development; and
WHEREAS, designation of Old Highway 80 as a State Historical Route can
be used to promote the route and other side trips to travelers and visitors,
noting historical elements, landmarks and businesses that could be visited
along the way.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
supports the designation of Old Highway 80 as a State Historic Route.
