Yreka in Siskiyou County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Randolph Collier

1902 – 1983

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 22, 2013

1. Randolph Collier Marker

Inscription. The citizens of Siskiyou County and California hereby honor Senator Randolph Collier, the “Father of the Freeway.” Born in Etna, educated in Yreka’s schools, Senator Collier began his long political career as a Police Judge in Yreka in 1925. In 1938, “Randy” was elected to the California State Senate and remained in office until 1976 – the longest tenure in the history of the California Legislature. Regarded as the “Dean of the Legislature” during his time, Senator Collier became “one of its three or four most powerful men” to ever serve in the California State Senate. Called “a master buttonholer and backroom persuader,” Randolph Collier used his skills to become the architect of the California Freeway System – a system that inspired the building of the Interstate Highway network across the United States. His authorship of the historic Collier-Burns Act of 1947 led to the California freeway movement. The residents of Siskiyou County, California and the nation honor this visionary dreamer called “the Silver Fox of the Siskiyous.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 41° 43.83′ N, 122° 38.277′

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W. Marker is in Yreka, California, in Siskiyou County. It is at the intersection of 4th Street and Lane Street, on the right when traveling south on 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 4th Street, Yreka CA 96097, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Modoc Plateau,

in the Shasta Cascade,

and in the Klamath Mountains.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clampers Meeting Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Livingston and Brothers Building (about 500 feet away); Colton’s Block (about 500 feet away); Cleland and Hoyt Building (about 500 feet away); J.P. Smith & L. Rosenburg Building (about 500 feet away); City Meat Market (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named City Meat Market (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named J.P. Smith & L. Rosenburg Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yreka.

Also see . . . Randolph Collier Obituary - New York Times. Mr. Collier's reputation as a powerful lawmaker grew out of his more than 20 years of service as chairman of the State Senate Transportation Committee. He was the principal author of the Collier-Burns Act of 1947, which led to a surge of highway contruction in the 1950's and 1960's that made California freeways known throughout the world. (Submitted on November 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 21, 2013

2. Randolph Collier Marker

Randolph Collier Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 22, 2013

3. Randolph Collier Monument

Second plaque at the Randolph Collier Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 22, 2013

4. Second plaque at the Randolph Collier Monument

Randolph Collier “Father of the Freeways”

Born: July 26, 1902 – Etna, California
Died: August 2, 1983 – Sacramento, California

California State Senator
January 2, 1939 – December 6, 1976
Chairman - Senate Transportation Committee 1946-1968
Chairman – Senate Finance Committee 1969 – 1974

Major Legislative Bills Authored:
Collier-Burns Highway Act – 1947
California Freeway System Act – 1959 California Transportation Agency Act – 1961

Education:
Yreka Elementary School
Siskiyou Union High School
University of California, Berkeley

Local:
Yreka Police Judge 1925-1938
President, Siskiyou County Title Co. 1935-1983
Chairman of the Board, Scott Valley Bank 1979-1983

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.