Willmont Saddle, Colfax, CA.

Home sweet home? This small home is located just off Highway 174 on Knorr Swiss Road, east of Colfax. You can see it from the highway on a road I suspect was a part of the old Dutch Flat Wagon Road, then The Lincoln Highway, Highway 40, and now Highway 174. Interstate 80 passed south of this area and now carries all of the interstate traffic. 

There is a brown sign, something like a forest service sign sitting against the rock foundation. It reads, "Willmont Saddle". Willmont saddle is located in The Sawtooth Ridge area, and was used as a trail by members of The Donner Party searching for help. 

The place sure looks like it's been there awhile, but of it's history I can only guess. Where it sit's though, is steeped in history.

Lincoln Highway, Applegate, CA.

Just outside of Applegate, Ca., The Lincoln Highway passes through a 1927 subway, under the railroad tracks.  Apparently, the original roadbed actually climbed up, and over the railroad tracks, making for a dangerous mix of trains and autos.. I assume as traffic picked up over the years, the highway department decided to build these subways, thus avoiding car train meetings. 

There use to be an old wagon parked here, likely representing the fact that this is also an old wagon route from the 1800's. Now this old auto has shown up in it's place. A Lincoln Highway tribute, no doubt.

This is the view from the old alignment that crossed over the tracks. You can see the subway entrance up ahead, and to the right, below the tracks. 

Monica is pointing to where The Lincoln Highways first route came out of the shrubbery, and trees  to cross the tracks. We are facing southwest. 

Now we are heading down The Lincoln Highway, after having crossed the railroad tracks, which can be seen up, and to the right. 

Olivers Gas

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'. 

Pacific House on the old emigrant trail

Drove around Pacific House, El Dorado County, CA, which was an emigrant wagon road, Pony Express, Lincoln Highway, and Highway 50 landmark. Apparently, many well-known folks stayed here, including Mark Twain. Not much going on these days. We are facing east, and just a little further ahead, the Lincoln Highway leaves Peavine Ridge Road and connect into the present day Hwy. 50. Hwy. 50 is just out of the picture on the right. Peavine Ridge road continues down into the American River Canyon.

Folsom prisoners and The Lincoln Highway

Here we see the construction of The Lincoln Highway, near Clarksville. The pavement was poured 10" thick, and convicts from Folsom Prison were used in it's construction. Follow this link for a picture you can zoom in on. 

Paving The Lincoln Highway, Shingle Springs, CA.

Here we see a highway crew pouring concrete for The Lincoln Highway in Shingle Springs. This spot looks real familiar. I think it's Durock Road right about where the pipe manufacturing plant would be, in that field.

An Auburn scene

On Linclon Avenue, Auburn Ca. That's a mural on the wall straight ahead. I like how it blends in with the landscape.