C-Block

C-Block. Right-Of-Way Marker. , From 1914 to 1934, the State of California marked highway right-of-way corridors with these heavy, permanent concrete blocks. Known as "C-blocks," they are still commonly found along California's older highways and are tremendous aids to historians trying to determine various highways' original paths and dates of origin. They were devised as a method for correcting old and sloppy survey methods that left land ownership and rights-of-way in question. They were placed at curves and irregularities along the early highways and at regular ervals on the highways' straight stretches. , , This example was rescued from flood damage near the town of Amboy in the central Mojave Desert .6 miles east of Roy's Cafe in Amboy and approximately five miles west of Kelbaker Road on the north side of US Highway 66. It was approximately 80 feet from the edge of the highway while an identical C-block on the south side directly across from this one was only about 50 feet away from the road. , , Artifacts of this kind should never be moved from their original locations unless in immediate danger of destruction or loss. This C-block had been 90% exposed by flooding, and in the very next heavy rain, it would have toppled into the flood channel and been lost to historians forever. Leaving safe artifacts in place allows future historians and students to continue to find and see these pieces of history in their proper surroundings. , If an artifact must be rescued, it should be donated to a historical society, museum, or school. , , Over the decades since their placement, the monuments have weathered differently. Some look the same as they did when they were placed while others have not. This has been the result of climatic conditions, forces of nature, and highway construction have either destroyed, or significantly damaged these monuments of highway trailblazing. , , Anyone interested in following an older alignment can use the C blocks like following a trail of bread crumbs. Finding them takes a certain amount of detective work, but once you find your first one, the rest seem to come right into view. , , Single slab concrete roadways go along with the C Blocks with their elevated curves, contractors stamps, and many beautiful old bridges. Be very careful though! Some of these old alignments cross through private property, not owned by the state, so proceed with caution. , , photo captions: , · Left is a photo of a C-block on the Ridge Route US-99 in Los Angeles County. It is above a beautiful stretch of twin two-lane concrete, right along side I-5 near the town of Gorman. , , · To the left you will find a blueprint of a C Block. In this blueprint you will see measurements for height, width, how long the bevel was, also exactly how long the copper wire was, along with exactly where and how tall the letter C was.