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Trey and “C” Marker in Applegate, Placer County.

Trey and “C” Marker in Applegate, Placer County.

Finding Historic "C" Markers

March 06, 2020 in El Dorado County History, Placer County History, Lincoln Highway

California roads before 1896 we mostly built by towns, cities, counties, or in many cases, private individuals or companies. There were no state highways or roads until 1896, when the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road in El Dorado County became the first. It was built by private funds, then run by the county, and finally taken over by the state.

The early state highway "right of way" was often less than accurate, using surveying techniques that relied on trees, buildings, rocks, or other objects to determine the road property boundaries. What was needed was a permanent, uniform marker that would act as a survey point. Enter the California "C" Marker.

Monica by a “C” Marker

Monica by a “C” Marker

These concrete markers, used from 1914 to 1934, would be placed at curves, intersections, and regular intervals along straightaways. The posts are 6" x 6" x 42" long. The top 6 to 8 inches projects above the ground and is what we see today, in most cases. There is also a 3/16"x6" copper wire set at the top to show the exact angle to measure. You can see it in the photo below.

Metal wire at top center of “C” Marker.

Metal wire at top center of “C” Marker.

You can still see these markers along many old state roads that are today county or city roads. We will find them when following the old Lincoln Highway through El Dorado and Placer Counties. The photo below shows one on Sisley Road in Penryn, which, back before the construction of Highway 40 nearby was the Lincoln Highway. While the Lincoln Highway was a transcontinental route, each state the highway passed through was responsible for that part of the road.

screenshot-photos.google.com-2020.03.06-05_07_18.png

Shown in the photo below in El Dorado County, along the old Lincoln Highway route, at Forni and Highway 49, is this one painted. We could find no evidence that the State of California ever painted the markers. Looks cool, and it's nice to see the homeowner take notice.

Painted “C” Marker, Forni Road and Highway 49.

Painted “C” Marker, Forni Road and Highway 49.

It's not just the Lincoln Highway with the markers, but many of the old state highways. When we search for lost alignments of the Lincoln Highway or other state highways, coming upon one of these markers helps determine we're on the right track. The photo below shows a beat-up one at the Cronin Ranch at Pedro Hill, the old Highway 49 route through Pilot Hill before the road was re-aligned.

Beat-up “C” Marker at Cronin Ranch, Pedro Hill Road, El Dorado County.

Beat-up “C” Marker at Cronin Ranch, Pedro Hill Road, El Dorado County.

Keep your eyes open for these old markers. Usually placed about 15 feet from the center of the old road, especially near curves in the old road. You never know who might join you in your search for "C" markers.

Along the old Lincoln Highway, Old Frenchtown Road, El Dorado County.

Along the old Lincoln Highway, Old Frenchtown Road, El Dorado County.

Tags: "C" Marker, historic highways, Lincoln Highway, El Dorado County, Placer County
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Archive

  • July 2023
    • Jul 23, 2023 Emigrant Trail at Caples Lake, Alpine County Jul 23, 2023
  • August 2022
    • Aug 12, 2022 1922 Moreland Truck at Johnson's Pass Aug 12, 2022
  • November 2021
    • Nov 2, 2021 Lincoln Highway artifact found! Nov 2, 2021
  • June 2021
    • Jun 23, 2021 Following the Lincoln Highway at Zephyr Cove, Nevada Jun 23, 2021
  • March 2021
    • Mar 26, 2021 Folsom, a Lincoln Highway Community Mar 26, 2021
  • February 2021
    • Feb 17, 2021 Bowman crossing and a newly found alignment of the Lincoln Highway. Feb 17, 2021
  • January 2021
    • Jan 31, 2021 Iowa Hills William "Seattle Bill" James, baseball legend Jan 31, 2021
    • Jan 30, 2021 Horse team carrying sand for the construction of the Mountain Quarries Railroad Jan 30, 2021
    • Jan 28, 2021 Rattlesnake Bar Road and Bridge site Jan 28, 2021
    • Jan 16, 2021 The Quonset Hut Motel near Colfax Jan 16, 2021
    • Jan 14, 2021 Brockliss Bridge site Jan 14, 2021
    • Jan 11, 2021 Alta and the Lincoln Highway Jan 11, 2021
    • Jan 10, 2021 A busy day at Baxter along old Highway 40 Jan 10, 2021
    • Jan 9, 2021 A summertime day in Auburn, 1916. Jan 9, 2021
    • Jan 8, 2021 Georgetown Junction, historic crossroads along the Lincoln Highway Jan 8, 2021
    • Jan 2, 2021 Truckee on the Lincoln Highway Jan 2, 2021
  • December 2020
    • Dec 4, 2020 Strawberry on the Lincoln Highway's southern route, part 6. Dec 4, 2020
    • Dec 3, 2020 A crossroads on the northern route of the Lincoln Highway, Part 5 Dec 3, 2020
  • November 2020
    • Nov 28, 2020 Colfax, Placer County, 1870s Nov 28, 2020
    • Nov 26, 2020 Slippery Ford to Strawberry on the Lincoln Highway, part 5 Nov 26, 2020
    • Nov 22, 2020 Dog Valley to Truckee on the northern route of the Lincoln Highway, Part 4 Nov 22, 2020
    • Nov 20, 2020 The children of Long Valley School, Placer County, 1890 Nov 20, 2020
    • Nov 19, 2020 The Falls of Salmon Falls. Nov 19, 2020
    • Nov 18, 2020 Slippery Ford on the Lincoln Highways southern route, Part 4 Nov 18, 2020
    • Nov 14, 2020 Verdi to Henness Pass Road on the old Lincoln Highway northern route, part 3 Nov 14, 2020
    • Nov 11, 2020 Echo Summit to Slippery Ford on the Lincoln Highway southern route, Part 3 Nov 11, 2020
    • Nov 8, 2020 Greenwood, El Dorado County school and playground, 1953 Nov 8, 2020
    • Nov 7, 2020 Verdi, Nevada to the California line on the northern route of the Lincoln Highway, Part 2 Nov 7, 2020
    • Nov 5, 2020 The Lodge at Echo Summit, Lincoln Highway, Part 6 Nov 5, 2020
  • October 2020
    • Oct 31, 2020 1895 Citrus Colony Cricket Team, Rocklin, California Oct 31, 2020
    • Oct 30, 2020 The Lincoln Highway, EL Dorado County, Johnson's Pass, Part 5 Oct 30, 2020
    • Oct 29, 2020 The Lincoln Highway, Verdi, Nevada Oct 29, 2020
    • Oct 24, 2020 Meyers Grade to Johnson's Pass, Lincoln Highway in El Dorado County, Part 4 Oct 24, 2020
    • Oct 23, 2020 Aerial view Auburn at the turn of the century Oct 23, 2020
    • Oct 22, 2020 The Lincoln Highway at Meyer's, El Dorado County Part 3 Oct 22, 2020
    • Oct 21, 2020 The Lincoln Highway in El Dorado County, Part 2, historic Trout Creek Bridge Oct 21, 2020
    • Oct 18, 2020 Exploring the Lincoln Highway in El Dorado County, Part 1 Oct 18, 2020
    • Oct 16, 2020 The Yuba River at Big Bend Oct 16, 2020
    • Oct 14, 2020 Big Bend, crossroads in history. Oct 14, 2020
    • Oct 10, 2020 Robert Fowler and his airplane Oct 10, 2020
    • Oct 8, 2020 A 1923 alignment of the Lincoln Highway found Oct 8, 2020
    • Oct 1, 2020 Lincoln Highway alignment found near Fresh Pond Oct 1, 2020
  • September 2020
    • Sep 30, 2020 The Lincoln Highway from Fry Creek to Milestone 29 Sep 30, 2020
    • Sep 22, 2020 The Summit Station and Hotel, Donner Summit Sep 22, 2020
    • Sep 19, 2020 Once upon a time at "Lookout Point", Emigrant Gap. Sep 19, 2020
    • Sep 12, 2020 The Yuba River, a historic transportation corridor Sep 12, 2020
    • Sep 11, 2020 Dutch Flat Wagon Road at Castle Creek, Soda Springs. Sep 11, 2020
    • Sep 6, 2020 Big Bend in Transportation History Sep 6, 2020
    • Sep 5, 2020 Yesterday and today on the Lincoln Highway, Big Bend. Sep 5, 2020
    • Sep 4, 2020 Lincoln Highway bridge at Rainbow in the Sierra Nevada Sep 4, 2020
    • Sep 3, 2020 Highway 40 crossing at Emigrant Gap Sep 3, 2020
  • August 2020
    • Aug 6, 2020 Lost Lincoln Highway alignments Aug 6, 2020
    • Aug 1, 2020 TC Wohlbrück and his Canteen Service Stations Aug 1, 2020
  • March 2020
    • Mar 27, 2020 Georgetown Divide History Tour, Part 4 Mar 27, 2020
    • Mar 21, 2020 Green Valley Road Historical Tour, Part 3 Mar 21, 2020
    • Mar 19, 2020 Leland Stanford and his store Mar 19, 2020
    • Mar 18, 2020 Georgetown Divide History Tour, Part 3 Mar 18, 2020
    • Mar 14, 2020 Green Valley Road History Tour, Part 2 Mar 14, 2020
    • Mar 12, 2020 Georgetown Divide History Tour, Part 2 Mar 12, 2020
    • Mar 7, 2020 The Green Valley Road History Tour! Mar 7, 2020
    • Mar 6, 2020 Finding Historic "C" Markers Mar 6, 2020
    • Mar 5, 2020 The old Lotus Bridge site, and the Georgetown Divide history tour Mar 5, 2020
    • Mar 4, 2020 A quiet road in Roseville Mar 4, 2020
  • February 2020
    • Feb 28, 2020 Wimpy's Fireplace Feb 28, 2020
    • Feb 8, 2020 Sam Kyburz house, Clarksville Feb 8, 2020
    • Feb 7, 2020 Tobacco growing in Placer County Feb 7, 2020
    • Feb 5, 2020 The Rolling Hills Hotel Feb 5, 2020
  • January 2020
    • Jan 30, 2020 New York Ravine, Salmon Falls Jan 30, 2020
    • Jan 23, 2020 Georgetown fire of 1869 Jan 23, 2020
    • Jan 22, 2020 The W A Thomas Store, Roseville Jan 22, 2020
    • Jan 19, 2020 The old swimming hole at Rattlesnake Bar Jan 19, 2020
    • Jan 18, 2020 The Hogsback Mine near Foresthill Jan 18, 2020
    • Jan 17, 2020 Kentucky House, on the old Coloma-Folsom Road Jan 17, 2020
    • Jan 16, 2020 Otwell Grocery Store along the Lincoln Highway. Jan 16, 2020
    • Jan 10, 2020 Auburn Ski Club Brochure, 1934 Jan 10, 2020
    • Jan 9, 2020 Pelton Water Wheel, Mammoth Bar Mine, 1895 Jan 9, 2020
    • Jan 8, 2020 Central Square, Auburn, California Jan 8, 2020
    • Jan 4, 2020 Highway 40 bridge construction, Colfax, 1938 Jan 4, 2020
    • Jan 2, 2020 "Shafthouse of the Sherman Mine perched high up on the hillside overlooking the town". Jan 2, 2020
    • Jan 1, 2020 The Third Strawberry House Jan 1, 2020
  • December 2019
    • Dec 28, 2019 Looking north on Lincoln Way Dec 28, 2019
    • Dec 20, 2019 Auburn Ski Club at Cisco Grove. Dec 20, 2019
    • Dec 19, 2019 Quiet day on Highway 40, Auburn Dec 19, 2019
    • Dec 18, 2019 Damascus, a ghost town in Placer County Dec 18, 2019
    • Dec 17, 2019 Iowa Hill baseball team and a surprise. Dec 17, 2019
    • Dec 13, 2019 Iowa Hill Baseball Team Dec 13, 2019
    • Dec 12, 2019 Placer Garage, Lincoln Highway, Auburn Dec 12, 2019
    • Dec 10, 2019 Deadwood, Placer County Dec 10, 2019
    • Dec 9, 2019 Auburn old town, no more Dec 9, 2019
    • Dec 8, 2019 Highway 40 Construction Dec 8, 2019
  • November 2019
    • Nov 29, 2019 Strawberry House, there were two locations. Nov 29, 2019
    • Nov 23, 2019 Johnson's Pass on the Lincoln Highway Nov 23, 2019
    • Nov 21, 2019 Auburn railroad crossing gets a new addition Nov 21, 2019
  • October 2019
    • Oct 31, 2019 Lincoln Highway 106 years old today! Oct 31, 2019
    • Oct 19, 2019 The Pioneer! Oct 19, 2019
    • Oct 14, 2019 Then and now, along the old Lincoln Highway in Penryn Oct 14, 2019
  • September 2019
    • Sep 30, 2019 Sierra Summit-Truckee Highway Sep 30, 2019
    • Sep 29, 2019 Summit of the Sierra Sep 29, 2019
    • Sep 26, 2019 Trout Creek bridge date Sep 26, 2019
    • Sep 25, 2019 Found! 1923 alignment of the Lincoln Highway. Sep 25, 2019
    • Sep 19, 2019 Highway 50 at Twin Bridges Sep 19, 2019
    • Sep 15, 2019 Whitehall on the Lincoln Highway Sep 15, 2019
    • Sep 14, 2019 Placerville to sign it's section of the Lincoln Highway! Sep 14, 2019
    • Sep 4, 2019 1919 Army Convoy film, Part II Sep 4, 2019
    • Sep 1, 2019 The Convoy is Coming! Sep 1, 2019
  • August 2019
    • Aug 25, 2019 Truck entering new snowshed subway at Donner Summit Aug 25, 2019
    • Aug 23, 2019 Lincoln Highway by Donner Lake Aug 23, 2019
    • Aug 22, 2019 Donner Lake Camp Aug 22, 2019
    • Aug 21, 2019 Lets stay in a Quonset hut tonight! Aug 21, 2019
    • Aug 19, 2019 Dedication of corner stone for Donner Memorial Aug 19, 2019
    • Aug 17, 2019 Donner Monument, unfinished Aug 17, 2019
    • Aug 15, 2019 Army Convoy, 1919 Aug 15, 2019
    • Aug 13, 2019 Dedication of The Pioneer Monument Aug 13, 2019
    • Aug 9, 2019 Historic highway pole markers Aug 9, 2019
    • Aug 8, 2019 Victory Highway at Boca Aug 8, 2019
    • Aug 7, 2019 Gold Run on Highway 40 Aug 7, 2019
    • Aug 7, 2019 Where was this highway photo taken? Aug 7, 2019
    • Aug 4, 2019 The Lincoln Highway at Donner Summit Aug 4, 2019
    • Aug 2, 2019 Norm Sayler, History Talks Aug 2, 2019
    • Aug 1, 2019 The vanishing Lake Van Norden and the Lincoln Highway Aug 1, 2019
  • July 2019
    • Jul 31, 2019 Norm Sayler and the Donner Summit Historical Society Jul 31, 2019
    • Jul 31, 2019 Truckee 1919 and The Lincoln Highway "L" Jul 31, 2019
    • Jul 29, 2019 Auburn Ravine Jul 29, 2019
    • Jul 27, 2019 Fred's Place, Highway 50, El Dorado County Jul 27, 2019
    • Jul 26, 2019 Pacific House in the 1920's Jul 26, 2019
    • Jul 24, 2019 Lincoln Highway, Emigrant Gap Jul 24, 2019
    • Jul 21, 2019 Weimar subway Lincoln Highway logo Jul 21, 2019
    • Jul 11, 2019 Walk with history Jul 11, 2019
    • Jul 10, 2019 Weimar Crossroads railroad subway painted Jul 10, 2019
    • Jul 7, 2019 Eisenhower and Army convoy leave Washington DC headed to San Francisco Jul 7, 2019
    • Jul 1, 2019 Painting Lincoln Highway Logo, Newcastle 1910 bridge. Jul 1, 2019
  • June 2019
    • Jun 29, 2019 Interstate Highway system signed in law on this date, 1956 Jun 29, 2019
    • Jun 20, 2019 Bachelor Buttons for emergency repairs Jun 20, 2019
    • Jun 15, 2019 Who invented the "rearview mirror"? Jun 15, 2019
    • Jun 14, 2019 Lincoln Highway Travelers Guide Jun 14, 2019
    • Jun 13, 2019 Gold Discovery Centennial Celebration in Coloma, California Jun 13, 2019
    • Jun 7, 2019 Odd Fellows Lodge, Georgetown Jun 7, 2019
    • Jun 2, 2019 Adventures in California History, Lincoln Highway style Jun 2, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 21, 2019 Ranger Survey Ship, and sailors 1890 Feb 21, 2019
    • Feb 20, 2019 Fingal, Riverside County, Sunset Limited train 1898 Feb 20, 2019
    • Feb 10, 2019 Day at the beach in San Francisco, 1903 Feb 10, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 13, 2018 Spenceville, a copper mining town Dec 13, 2018
    • Dec 12, 2018 Finding stuff on the way to Timbuctoo Dec 12, 2018
    • Dec 7, 2018 We're on our way to Timbuctoo! Dec 7, 2018
    • Dec 1, 2018 Headed back to Wheatland Dec 1, 2018
  • November 2018
    • Nov 30, 2018 Rattlesnake Bar Bridge site Nov 30, 2018
    • Nov 27, 2018 At the end of the trail Nov 27, 2018
    • Nov 26, 2018 A Lincoln Highway artifact discovered! Nov 26, 2018
    • Nov 23, 2018 A lost section of Highway 40 at Eagle Lakes Road. Nov 23, 2018
    • Nov 17, 2018 Searching for the Emigrant Trail at Alder Creek Nov 17, 2018
    • Nov 14, 2018 Searching for the Emigrant Trail, Mt. Olive Road, Nevada County Nov 14, 2018
    • Nov 9, 2018 Donner Camp Historic Park Nov 9, 2018
    • Nov 1, 2018 Taking the trip from Auburn to Truckee Nov 1, 2018
  • October 2018
    • Oct 24, 2018 Verdi, travelling through history Oct 24, 2018
    • Oct 21, 2018 Our first "adventure" map! Oct 21, 2018
    • Oct 13, 2018 Trademarks of early California Oct 13, 2018