Forgotten Roads & Monuments in the Cajon Pass

The Cajon Pass is one of the most traveled corridors in the United States, with almost all the traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas traveling through it. Camp Cajon was built in 1919 on National Old Trails highway, the country’s first “ocean-to-ocean” highway. In 1926 that road became Route 66. Due to its location on the Cajon Pass, Camp Cajon quickly became known as the Gateway to Southern California. Camp Cajon disappeared in 1938, but a monument to this important early Route 66 stop sits in the Cajon Pass today next to a monument to early pioneers that is over a century old.
Along with several monument, traces of the old roads that date back to the 1800s can still be found in the Cajon Pass, just a few hundred feet from the modern freeway. Interstate 15 and Highway 138 travel through the Cajon Pass today, but before those roads there was Route 66, National Old Trails Highway, and the Cajon Pass Toll Road, a winding narrow road through Crowder Canyon.
In this video we visit the monuments to Camp Cajon, the 1917 Pioneers Monument, The 1800s Cajon Pass Toll Road, and track down the 1912 Pioneers Monument.
Back Roads West's video on the 1800s wagon road: • Forgotten Route 66 Sho...
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[@michaelsimonds2632]

Thanks for taking us along! If not for your video I would never see these things, as I no longer have the mobility. Thank you also for gathering together the old photos and writings. Let us all know when your book comes out! (hint hint)

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Thanks for sharing

[@sebrandt1]

Thank you for the ride-along! It's neat to see places in the West that, as an Easterner, I would not normally get to see.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

Nice bit of history! There's another alternate route where early days travelers avoided the toll road portion of the Cajon Pass. There was lots going on in them there days!

[@Route66BothLanes]

Isn't it amazing how so many drive right past these relics of times passed. We love knowing the history behind what's off the beaten path.Thanks for sharing this.

[@stevenrey56]

Love the old roads and trails videos.

[@ernestkaiser6893]

Love the history there. We follow that "John Brown toll road" all the way up to the summit. If the 15 freeway is backed up, we take that old shortcut.

[@KevinsTooTall]

Excellent content man. Great quality and informative. I lived in Hesperia from 1995 to 2008 and my mom worked in San Bernardino and commuted down the Cajon pass daily. We stopped a few times to explore the short bits of Route 66. I'm very nostalgic about the area and am glad content creators like yourself are making videos like this. Thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through you.

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

Great video 👍 I have always enjoyed driving thru Cajon pass. Glad to see the original monument has survived.

[@WYODutch]

Where Hwy 2 hits Hwy 138 the ridge behind the old gas station site east of 138 and over the ridge was the old (Wells Fargo?) stage station site. Back in the sixties you could still see partial rock walls. Thank You for your content, I've always enjoyed it.

[@KenTurmel]

Very well-produced video with great roadside shots! Thank you for the superb history lesson.

[@brads.3674]

Thanks for taking us along! Adding this one to my list - I'd like to hike up that canyon a ways.

[@sushicat.3707]

Thank you for this channel. I lived in San Diego for 8 years, and didn’t get to see all I’d hoped to.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@keithjohnson5398]

I kinda remember when it was a 2-lane highway in each direction back in the 60's. And the various changes that happened over the years.

[@gmazz0913]

Great stuff. You need to get up in the Azusa canyon area, more specifically Shoemaker canyon. Lots of great old history and the site of the "Bridge to nowhere ".

[@AirPiracy]

Another great video! Over 35 years ago, I was stationed at George AFB near Victorville, then I transferred to Norton AFB in San Bernardino. I spent many hours exploring the area back then...the areas you showed in this video haven't changed much since then. On the other hand, much of the area south of the Cajon Pass (Cajon Blvd/Rancho Muscupiabe) is completely unrecognizable.

[@CarlosACabrera-k2p]

These videos are amazing, especially for an old person like I am who is not able to drive in complex traffic anymore. I ish I had traveled more of those roads when I was younger.

[@charliecarter1878]

I'm 52 and semi-retired and travel to visit many of these monumental roads such as Route 66 along with camping in the major deserts and lakes (such as Lake Mohave, etc). If you're inclined to, come along! It's always nice to share experiences with new friends. Charlie

[@sanddabz5635]

This was most excellent on sooo many levels! First, the history lesson and info was fantastic! Never heard of Camp Cajon. Second, the early turn of the century photos of what things looked like originally really put into perspective of how challenging early travel was! Third, the quality shots & video and the way you presented it! and fourth.........ya got an opportunity to use the word "harrowing"......it's a really underrated word!🤣 Thanks for taking us along! ✌

[@northernexposurephoto]

I have been thru the area countless times and I missed the opportunity to see all the interesting history that was all around. Thank you for the great video.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@dannyphipps7652]

I sure do learn a lot about frogoten history by watching your videos. Great work my friend!

[@MisterShoe]

Thank you for your adventures you are pretty cool

[@Lizerator]

So interesting to learn of these monuments and places that we whiz by on our way around California.

[@armandolopez8983]

Always WONDERFUL

[@11secghia]

I loooove the videos! As a lackey helicopter mechanic that works on firefighting aircraft , Ive had a chance to drive by but not know the backstory!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It was crazy going under the 15 and thinking how many times I've driven over that and never knew there was a tunnel there.

[@goingslightlymad7172]

I'm an "old road geek" and love your videos! 😍 Keep them coming! :)

[@StressLessCamping]

I don't know how you find all the cool stuff you share with us, but I'm certainly glad you do. I love the videos plus they're just the right length.

[@Rickyboy707]

Steve, I discovered your channel and have been catching up on watching them. It's unbelievable to think that just a few hundred feet from today's highways lie some of the nation's most interesting history. I suppose 95% of the drivers on the highway have no idea what lies in the bushes. -->Ric

[@marrmar1]

Thank you for the great video. I do enjoy our history of settlers making their way to Southern California. Look forward to the next one!

[@jimschafer9196]

Cool back country reveal - thanks for the share.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for watching.

[@dezertraider]

VERY VERY COOL,THANK YOU ,,SAFE TRAVELS..

[@unabrazoatodoslosbuenos]

He had cajones. I always get mesmerized by the towering peaks. Haven't been that way a couple of years. When I lived in Riverside I saw car accidents in that area that you can!t unsee. When you're on that freeway, put your full attention on driving.

[@mobiltec]

Great history here. The cars of the early 1900s were true overlanders. Remember that cars existed before roads were built. Cars of those days rode on wagon roads which were not always in the best of shape. Even today, those old cars will go off road with little trouble. And they were built to crawl at walking speeds. Many were equipped with a "walker brake" which locked up one wheel and transferred power to the other driving wheel. Much like a locker of today's off road vehicles.

[@mariebrundridge2679]

Really enjoyed your story on the Cajon pass. I live about a mile and from the still in use of the old route 66, by the Blue Cut and was unaware of the old military post near by.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@johnvaldez6997]

Perfect!!! Just Perfecto,,,perfect guide he is...

[@boxborolad]

Thanks. Interesting video. In the 1970s I used to commute through Cajon Pass on my way to a test facility outside Wrightwood. Great memories.

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

I really love this one! Don't know how I missed it when it came out, but I obviously did! Once again thank you for taking me places I can no longer go!

[@samfogleman271]

Really interesting! Thank you!

[@stevef.8041]

Another Crazy good video. How do you find these places?? Thanks for your research and great video.

[@adrianajones7181]

Your detail and history was very enjoyable. Thank you

[@karenbochinski]

Good one. I would to see this area one of these days

[@steveandulsky566]

Thank you. That was quite enjoyable and informative.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JasmineApple]

Wow, that was fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Next time I head to Las Vegas, I'm going to stop by and check this out!

[@tdlewis103]

Great tour!

[@HistoricallyMarked]

Some cool history there! Thanks for filling us in. Planning on coming that way next month so now I know what I'm in for

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Have fun!

[@ScratchGlass9]

Thanks for this ! Zoomed over this stretch so many times to Vegas !! Awesome history you show us ! Zzyzx Rd...!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've heard everything on Zzyzx is closed because of the pandemic still. Eventually I'd like to head out there again.

[@MissJean63]

I drive through Cajun Pass frequently. I’m going to check it out. I know about the pioneer monument on the McDonald’s side. I’ve seen it move at least once in my 60 years. Awesome video. Thanks.

[@secretdaisy6484]

That was awesome! Thanks. 👍☮️🌞🌟

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnking6252]

FREE CAMPING ?? Such a relic is truly amusing!

[@byronmarshall3924]

We have "free" camping all over San Diego.... mostly under the overpass.

[@josemoreno3334]

Like your videos. You should get an Emmy Award.

[@danhenson7366]

This reminds me of what ewo used to be, I quit them like 2 yrs ago.. 3 days ago I subbed after binge watching. I love this kind of content. I'll catch up then wait for new videos, thanks dude

[@debbieannsmith8962]

Fascinating! Great video!

[@deandupont5503]

Crowder Canyon *did* have cutouts, to allow other vehicles to pass. However - as you said - the hillside has slid, and other parts have washed away. Wherever they were are lost to time.

[@nostradamus4828]

Enjoyed your video 👍

[@elizabethbogle3533]

Right in my back yard. I used to work in the pass. The NOTH used to run right across the back of my property.

[@jonusle2937]

Cool video of my neighborhood. West on Hwy 138 about 5 miles you will find another historical monument. It marks the canyon that the Mormons and other pioneers used to gain access to Cajon Pass. A wagon wheel at the top of the monument directs you to the canyon.

[@richardweaver9682]

The 1917 monument I was familiar with. The other two are new to me so it's time to make a stop next time I head up the hill. Sharing this video on the I Love San Bernardino FB page.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for sharing it!

[@j.b.a.124]

Great video. Always love to see old abandoned roads & highways. Regards from the Sunshine State.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@carlupthegrove4201]

WOW! Great stuff...thanks

[@leonajameson8902]

Wow I would never had know this existed. Thank you

[@bwhog]

Many people do not realize that early roads were little more than paved wagon roads, sometimes widened and realigned (using manual labor, picks, shovels, and dynamite) to paths more favorable to automobiles. That is a large part of the reason that they simply follow the contours of the hills around them. Also, the Model T was a rather narrow vehicle by comparison to today's vehicles. Add to that the fact that few people traveled far except by train and you can see that you might not run across another car for miles. Plus, the top speed of a Model T was about 45mph and more typically, you'd drive about 30-35, which was still faster than a galloping horse. However, cars became bigger, wider, and heavier and the precursors to pickup trucks started to become a thing pretty quickly, adding even more load. (Look at the history of the old Ash Avenue bridge in Tempe, AZ. Pretty much obsolete the day it was dedicated for that precise reason.) So it wasn't long before the second phase of highway development started, with roads purpose built for automobiles. That remained the case until the third phase of highway construction began with the interstate projects of the 1960s and 1970s and the use of diesel powered excavators and purpose built road construction equipment (such as slip form pavers) that could more efficiently carve and grade the roadways. This construction was also needed because of the coming of the tractor-trailer setup you see now which necessitated certain minimum radii for curves and limits for gradient changes.

[@BradKnowsAll]

Thanks for a well-spent 10 minutes!!!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CactusAtlas]

I suppose speeds were much slower then but all the same... not a place I would want to be navigating when another car comes in the other direction. I can't even imagine breaking down in a place like that. Those old autos and wagons really went through some things hauling the things they did across these landscapes!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I kept thinking how they'd be pretty much stuck if it so much as rained.

[@DavidHBurkart]

John Brown Toll Road was crucial to the coast-to-coast establishment of Route 66. Sheldon Stoddard of Stoddard Wells Road fame just north of Victorville on the I-15.

[@pigeonpallz1733]

I enjoy your videos very much , thank you

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@bajavisitor]

Great job. Love the history.

[@mistervacation23]

You should go to Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas. You'll get some excellent video there

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Hoping to get out there soon actually. Somehow we've never made it out there despite all the times we've been to Vegas.

[@mistervacation23]

@@SidetrackAdventures I took some good photos of my last trip there

[@sleuer66]

U got to remember cars back then, weren't as big as they are now. The real problem w/ vehicals back then was the brakes. I remember my Dad telling me how cars even in the 1930's would drag large logs on the back to control their decent going through mountainous terrain. Lot less cars back then too. So, could believe that road wasn't much wider than it is 2day, however, u r probly right, the road has most likely lost some width due to decay. Cool story, as a trucker, been through the pass on I-15 many times over the years

[@Bossladyone2]

Wyatt and Virgil Earp rode up the Cajon Pass to visit the Clyde Ranch which would be on the way to Wrightwood.

[@cochisecounty_travels]

Im not sure if you've done a video on Lost Lake or Swarthout Canyon Road. Both areas were frequented by Wyatt and Virgil Earp. They were regulars to the area after leaving Tombstone.

[@casillaslucia]

Awesome my mom lives around the area

[@Bung-Hoe]

Super cool! Expecally when my kids & their mom lived up in the mountains “Pine Mt” part of all this, I visited it quite a bit & have great memories🤔

[@ME-qr2kq]

Man this is funny my Parents bought property in Wrightwood to retire years ago We go to this Mc Donald's 6 or 7 times a year to get some tea or soda for the trip back to San Diego. I never knew this was there.

[@karenmcm]

What an interesting video, thank you for making it! I was wondering if perhaps some of that very early automobile road and the bridge section have fallen or broken off due to earthquakes? I've no idea if that area is quake prone.

[@janblake9468]

The active San Andreas Fault Zone passes by just south of Crowder Canyon so that is possible.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It probably wasn't very earthquake proof but i believe the bridge was purposely removed.

[@LesterMoore]

As you drive through the pass you can actually see the enormous San Andreas Fault that runs about 800 miles though California from the Bay area all the way into Baja California. So yes being an active fault Californians often talk about the expected "Big One."

[@InternetJury]

Uhhhhh.... that area is literally straddling the San Andreas, so I'd say yes to the earthquakes being a problem. Although who knows if it caused the issue...but the entire area is very active geologically.

[@Jezeppi1]

Very cool 😎 Thx.

[@DW-qe7qe]

Very interesting. Thank you for the history. Do you know if one can drive to the 1912 memorial? Or is it only accessible the way you did it?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'm not sure if you can legally drive to it or not. There is a dirt road but I'm not how to get to it from the freeway.

[@josephmartinez8803]

I just cam across this video and I read your response. In case you haven't found the answer to your question, I suggest you go to the KZbin channel called Back Road West. There is a video that shows you how to access the old road, which is public.

[@InternetJury]

It is accessible by road... although it's tricky and you need to know what you're doing and want to have a capable vehicle. A decent SUV should do it. You have to leave the pavement and cross the tracks a few times, but the road is good enough most of the time most cars can make it. A lot of rail photographers are out there all the time because of Sullivan's curve (among other spots). My only warning is you gotta be careful, because some of the hills require a high clearance or 4WD and can be sketchy. But getting to the Stoddard monument should be easy for most people... just be aware of near constant train traffic.

[@theathjr]

Wow this is so cool.

[@birdman5223]

Excellent☺️

[@WYODutch]

Up Lone Pine Canyon off of 138 near Wrightwood supposedly is where the last California Grizzly was killed. And near that area there is a very old cabin built out of rock it is said that Wyatt Earp had spent some time there. Don't know, six grade field trip. would be nice to find out.

[@rolandrodriguez3854]

In 1852 one had to be tough to travel!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah. What is a short trip for us was a weeks long adventure for them.

[@josephmartinez8803]

I just saw this video, while looking for videos about the old Cajon Camp and you posted a interesting video. However, Route 66 was not a coast to coast highway. As a matter of fact, up until the 1940s, the western terminus of Route 66 was at 7th and Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Even when it was extended to Santa Monica, it still was not a coast to coast highway. The Lincoln Highway is considered the first coast to coast highway. Another coast to coast route was route 6, which ran from Long Beach to Rhode Island. The idea that route 66 was coast to coast is a common misconception.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Hi. Thanks for the comment. I don't believe I ever referred to Route 66 as a coast to coast highway. I do refer to the National Old Trails Highway as an ocean to ocean highway though, as it was. Route 66 in this area overlapped the Old Trails Highway.

[@DavidMacLuna]

Yep - or, at least, that's what I thought you meant when I watched the vid. Mainly wanted share another interesting thing on these old roads: there's at least 3 with the claim of first Ocean-to-Ocean. Lincoln Highway, which is generally considered 1st Transcontinental Hwy, but was completed *after* Nat'l Old Trails Road. However, tho NOTR was in place about a year before Lincoln Hwy, it's not actually a highway, just called one due to semantic drift. It's an amalgamation old foot and horse trails (thus the name), basically a network of various local roads with a single, national road name to follow, as opposed to a single purpose-built road. I supposed one could say Lincoln is a road while NOTR is a route. The third is the Pike's Peak Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, and I'm not stepping in that mess, lol. Also, as long as I'm here, I should mention that the Model T is exponentially better off road than most modern 4wd vehicles - there's s few videos here on KZbin from back in the day showing it clambering around Ben Neves' ravines, great for a history buff to see. Anyway, love your videos - especially the one with the vortex. That was spooky.

[@-oiiio-3993]

The eastern terminus of Route 66 was / is at Chicago.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Satisfactory! CQA.

[@russell-di8js]

Love the Boys party bus photo at 8:27, far out hardy men.

[@1crunchy2]

good job

[@castoresnegros]

Rich History just in our backyard .

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Camp Cajon never never knew it was even there

[@garyashby8894]

So closes and yet so far. I assume you did a route 66 through her and i just have not seen it yet, The is a place down the road on Route 66 called Blue cut. It is a narrowing of the canyon in which everyone by foot, covered wagon, and car had to pass by. It has shady old oak trees and a monument..

[@deandupont5503]

I had the honor of eating at the Summit Inn a few times before it burned down. *So* much history lost. Every entertainer driving from LA to Vegas stopped for a meal at some point.

[@1crunchy2]

Can you dig up Glendora Ca. lots of history there. But do the big and little Dalton canyons have any story's? How about GMR. Glendora Mountain Road.

[@larryaldrich4351]

Cajon Pass has the greatest train-watching in the country.

[@InternetJury]

Sheldon Stoddard was a cousin! Sheldon's father, was the brother to my great....great....great...(however many) Grandfather Lyman Stoddard. There's a lot of us in Southern California!

[@jackallen6261]

I used to work with a guy named Mike Cajon about 20 years ago. He was from the San Diego area, he grew up there. I wonder if he was any relation? Interesting!

[@DavidRichTheForth]

LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. YOUR SUB COUNT WILL ONLY INCREASE

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@ChrisW-17]

Cajon Pass hides so much history, it's unfortunate drivers on the interstate miss it. Historic U.S. 66, U.S. 395, and U.S. 91 all crossed thru here.

[@radsdad1]

Looking at the shot at 3:18 on Bing maps (streetview), the stone monument and picnic table are now missing.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

They were there about 2 weeks ago when I last stopped by. A new kiosk has been added too.

[@radsdad1]

@@SidetrackAdventures The street view must be the old picture.

[@SJ2016RC]

I remember the 1989 cajon pass train crash😢

[@Blend-24]

The Quechen were bad-a_ _ warriors. They are the ones who shut down the Anza trail at the Yuma crossing in 1781 killing Rivera and part of his expedition. They also burned down 3 missions there and a settlement. The Spanish never reopened the trail. The Mexicans later tried but were unsuccessful. This story of battle hill I never heard of and found very interesting. I knew of the battle of San Pascual of coarse and mule hill.

[@drecic1]

Vraiment bien, on apprend beaucoup de choses sur l'Histoire de la Californie. Et comment cet état s'est construit.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Merci.

[@Master_Rosin1]

U did go!!

[@paul9156c]

"Very harrowing", I thought in Southern Californian lingo was called 'totally gnarly dude!'?

[@KathyRee]

...they misspelled Mojave on the marker...

[@mawi1172]

Well, we just see footage of people driving back then through danger and it looks like they're flopping all over the road. 😰😰😰