By Kaylin Paschall, TME

Have you ever imagined what travel was like at the beginning of the twentieth century in California—at the dawn of the age of Henry Ford’s Model T, before there were highways and freeways?

Historians from the Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society invite you on a unique three-hour tour into the past, to trace the building and grand opening of the historic Ridge Route in 1919.

This famous road opened up travel between Northern and Southern California—and was built right here, across these mountains we call home.

A wait list for the April 23 and May 7 tours is now open.

Now you, too, can travel much of the Old Ridge Route with knowledgable guides to share an entertaining historical perspective along our Mountain Community’s most famous thoroughfare. You may even come upon some wildflowers.

You will drive your own vehicle over the mountains and through the woods, stopping along the way at points of interest from Gorman to the site of the historic Tumble Inn—a former destination for adventurous travelers navigating hairpin turns.

Today’s vehicles (except very low-slung sports cars) will be fine on this outing, Mustangs included.

Both tours have been filled, but call the museum to get your name on the wait list. There may be cancellations! The phone number is 661.245.7747.

If a spot opens for you, reservations are $15 per person.

The Ridge Route Communities Museum, based in Frazier Park, is dedicated to preserving the wonderful tales of our Mountain Communities and all that went into development here. The Old Ridge Route has played a major role in bringing travelers from far and wide—including Charles Lindbergh—to and through this Gorman, Frazier Park and Lebec area.

Update April 22, 2022: The cost for the tour is $15 per person, not per car. Our original story has been updated.

This is part of the April 22, 2022 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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