Near Garberville in Humboldt County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Paving the Way
Brother, can you spare a ride?
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2019
1. Paving the Way Marker
Captions: In 1917 AAA launched its first magazine, The California Motorist. Its debut issue not only advised drivers on car care and travel topics, but as a sign of the time, featured a woman in the driver's seat.;(bottom center) Redwood State Highway 101 under construction. Auto campsites and resorts catering to traveling motorists began to appear along the highway.; (bottom right) Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert hitchhiking in the 1934 film, It Happened One Night. (GREAT MOVIE!, ed.); (far right) Early Richardson Grove promotional information (click of the image to enlarge the photo).
Californians were among the first in the world to build a lifestyle around the automobile. In the early 20th century, mass-produced cars became affordable for almost everyone. In 1907 there were just 300 autos registers in the state. By 1920, more than 14,000 cars traveled state roads. Public and private interests raced to be the first to connect Humboldt County to San Francisco. In 1914 the Northwest Pacific Railroad celebrated the completion of their line with a golden spike ceremony.
Construction of Highway 101 took much longer. State funding was spotty and graveling and paving the new "all year" highways was slowed by severe weather and difficult terrain. Road engineers has to travel by foot or packhorse along steep slopes. Highway 101 was not completed until 1922.
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 40° 1.522′ N, 123° 47.602′ W. Marker is near Garberville, California, in Humboldt County. Marker can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Richardson Grove Historic Lodge (here, next to this marker); Drag Saw (approx. 1.1 miles away); Famous One-Log House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Plane Crash Site Memorial Marker (approx. 7˝ miles away); Confusion Hill (approx. 7˝ miles away); Mignon "Minnie" Stoddard Lilley (approx. 7˝ miles away).
More about this marker. This marker is in Richardson Grove State Park.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2019
2. Paving the Way Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
