Near Phelan in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Camp Cajon Monument
Historic Site
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 2, 2020
1. Camp Cajon Marker
Erected 2019 by Native Sons of the Golden West, Arrowhead Parlor 110.
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 2019.
Location. 34° 18.398′ N, 117° 28.022′ W. Marker is near Phelan, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is on Wagon Train Road, half a mile south of Highway 138, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3351 Wagon Train Rd, Phelan CA 92371, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Camp Cajon (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Fe and Salt Lake Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Stoddard-Waite Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mormon Pioneer Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Hill 582 (approx. 2 miles away); Blue Cut (approx. 2.8 miles away); Summit Train Station
this page online
Regarding Camp Cajon Monument. Camp Cajon was built on National Old Trails Road, which became U.S. Route 66 in 1926, and Camp Cajon became famous as “the gateway into Southern California.” It was the brainchild of William Bristol, a local orange grower, author, and poet. In 1917, Bristol attended the dedication of the Santa Fe and Salt Lake Trail monument that was built to honor the early settlers who traveled through the Cajon Pass. It was at this dedication that Bristol began to formulate his dream of building a picnic area where travelers could stop and rest in the Cajon Pass. Organizations like the Santa Fe Railroad, the Elks Club, and the Mission Inn in Riverside, built structures there. Camp Cajon was destroyed by the great flood of 1938, and the camp was abandoned. Route 66 was realigned, and Camp Cajon was nearly forgotten. Interstate 15 completely bypassed old Route 66 in 1970. In 2019, the new Camp Cajon monument was planned and constructed by the San Bernardino, Wrightwood, Highland, and Mohahve Historical societies.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 2, 2020
2. Camp Cajon Marker and Monument
Photographed By Charles Hepperle, September 15, 2019
3. Camp Cajon Monument
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 2, 2020
4. Camp Cajon Monument
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 2, 2020
5. Camp Cajon Monument
6. Original Camp Cajon Monument
This photo is courtesy of Mark Landis.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 2, 2020
7. Route 66
The nearby hiking trail passes the bridge abutments of National Old Trails Road, which is also the old wagon road.
Photographed By Adam Margolis, February 3, 2024
8. Camp Cajon Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2020. This page has been viewed 1,003 times since then and 113 times this year. Last updated on October 16, 2020. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on September 16, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on February 8, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
