How's the traffic in the canyon today?

January 29, 2018 in California

There have been a number of bridges crossing the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of The American River. This photograph shows a single buggy crossing this "cable bridge", sometime in the early 1900's. You can see some of the buildings just over on the Placer County, north side. These bridges were "toll" bridges, until the State of California took over. Likely you would have paid the bridge keeper on the other side.

You can see the buildings better in this winter view. Horse drawn stages were used for public transportation up until 1915, when they were replaced by automobiles.

Both photos from: California State Library

Aeolia Olive orchard, Auburn, CA.

January 24, 2018 in California

Did you know there is an olive orchard at the top of Highway 49, on the Auburn side of the American River canyon? "Aeolia Heights was once a working orchard producing "Aeolia Olive Oil". 5,000 olive trees were planted in the 1890s by Frederick Birdsall. "The orchard was named for Aeolus, the Greek god of the winds, for the evening breezes that come down the canyon on summer evenings."

It was quite the operation until the 1950's, when imported olives started to make a dent in the business. Eventually the operation closed in the 1970's. The trees are overgrown now, and mostly unnoticed by those driving Highway 49 from Cool to Auburn. The above photo, taken in 1910, shows a young orchard in it's prime. You can see Highway 193 running along the hill. Auburn is to the left, the town of Cool, about 5 miles to the right.

Nice Auburn Journal article on the olives here.

Photo: California State Library

Olivers Gas

January 21, 2018 in California

Olivers Gas is located on both The Lincoln Highway, and Highway 40 in Clipper Gap, CA. This is the last independent operating gas station on the west slope of The Sierra in Placer County. It has been a gas station, bar, and store since the 1920's. The original structure that would have served Lincoln Highway customers burned in the 1940's and was replaced with the present structure that would be familiar to anyone driving on Highway 40 in those day's.

Before Olivers the site held a gun powder production facility dating from 1889, that lasted until 1917. It closed due to a number of explosions on site, including one that claimed 22 lives. Some of the ruins are still visible. The Lincoln Highway leaves this roadbed and turns right just up at the bend.

This is the view coming down The Lincoln, headed west.

This is facing the opposite way on The Lincoln Highway, east and uphill. Very nice old home on left must have witnessed a lot of interesting events over the years. We are at an elevation in The sierra of about 3000'.