Ridge Route Directory

Ridge Route Directory. View Service Station. , Traveling north for the next 17.6 miles, you will see rock and concrete monuments on the roadside. These monuments tell a story of a bygone era. Each one represents a place or business establishment that was on the site. When this twenty foot wide, winding road opened in 1915, it was the most direct route between Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley. To accommodate the growing popularity of the route, new businesses sprang up along the way. Although few remnants of these structures remain, the words and old photos on the monuments can bring the imagination back to the bygone era. This site was the View Service Station, catering to the cantankerous and water-starved vintage autos and trucks. , Ridge Route Monuments , Sandberg’s Summit Hotel - First class hotel and restaurant facility constructed entirely of logs cut on the site. , Liebre State Highway Camp - Crews from this facility maintained the Ridge Route. , Liebre Summit - Highest elevation on the road at 4,213 feet. , Tumble Inn - Restaurant and auto garage constructed of native rock. , Kelly’s Halfway Inn - Restaurant and cabins for travelers with a Richfield gas station. , Reservoir Summit - A high class, popular restaurant, with adjoining auto service. , Swede’s Cut - This 110 foot road cut was made by steam-powered shovels. , National Forest Inn - Their sign advertised: “Heated rooms and Cottages, Home cooked meals and lunches, Cold drinks.” , View Service Station - Vehicle services, mechanic and fuel. , Courtesy of the Harrison Scott Collection.