When we leave Barstow, California, for the final leg of our trip along historic Route 66, we head for the town of Oro Grande, which means “Grand Gold” in Spanish. Unfortunately, goldmining in the area never turned out to be all that grand. Instead, limestone became the reason for Oro Grande’s existence.
At the start of the 20th century southern California’s construction boom created a huge demand for cement. In 1908 a cement plant using local limestone was constructed in Oro Grande to meet this demand. Victorville, a short hop down old Route 66, also became a centre for cement production. With a railroad to transport their products, an abundance of raw cement materials and a continuing demand, cement plants in Oro Grande and Victorville became major suppliers for Los Angeles and surrounds.
After touring Victorville, we take Interstate 15 south, which roughly follows old Route 66 and the railroad through Cajon Pass, a geographic consequence of California’s infamous San Andreas Fault. A recent study found the damage from a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault would require more than six million tonnes of newly quarried aggregate for emergency repairs and reconstruction.
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Overall, there would be a period of decreased aggregate production capabilities immediately after such an earthquake, due to severe damage to some aggregate plants, disrupted supplies of cement, asphalt, water and fuel, and the shortage of skilled personnel due to a grieving workforce. Prudent advance preparations by the aggregate industry would facilitate a timely response after such an earthquake.
Once through Cajon Pass, Route 66 followed various highways and city streets on its way to the western terminus. We take one of those city streets, Foothill Boulevard. The road travels along alluvial fans as much as 305 metres thick that formed along the southern margin of the San Gabriel mountains. Gold was discovered in the alluvial deposits in 1857 and was mined in the area for several decades. Like Oro Grande, the gold was replaced by aggregate.
These alluvial fan deposits are home to major sand and gravel operations in and around Irwindale, California. Gravel from these operations, mixed with cement from the abovementioned plants, provided concrete for many buildings and roads in the LA area, and Santa Monica Pier, our final destination.
In the early 20th century the City of Santa Monica constructed the 490m Santa Monica Pier from concrete. However, by 1919, the concrete pilings had deteriorated to the point that they had to be replaced with creosote-soaked wooden pilings.
The pier had its ups and downs. It originally served as a conduit to transport treated sewage into the ocean. It was a fishing pier, an amusement park and a dance hall. The pier fell into disrepair, was destroyed by storms and was rebuilt a number of times. The most recent reconstruction occurred in the late 1980s with modern concrete pilings. The pier has become increasingly popular, offering something for everyone, from thrill rides to a peaceful walk near the ocean.
And for us, Santa Monica Pier marks the official end of Route 66. I hope you enjoyed the ride.