P15 meets the old highway

[47heaven]

Hope all of you had a nice Christmas and holiday with your families. Since I teach, I've been on vacation, and since we have had such beautiful weather I decided to take the P15 out for a sentimental drive out on old highway U.S. 60 from Ontario, CA to a forgotten stop along a portion of the abandoned highway called Whitewater, northwest of Palm Springs. Much of the old highway is still accessible, with only a few parts being covered by freeway.

For some reason I like driving my car on these old roads because they were the roads these cars drove on when they were new. It's almost like they belong there. Also, it's a great way to relive the past...especially if you're not old enough to have actually lived through it. BTW...U.S 60 no longer exists in California. It has been replaced by CA-60 and I-10.

Below are some pics from the drive and some old relics I came across.

Driving up the grade between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. This is the old highway, but now at freeway status.

An old fruit stand off the highway. These aren't too common anymore in So. Cal.

Going through downtown Banning.

Same stretch of road in 1946 (I like it better, then)

Strange to think that from the 1920's until the 50's almost every movie star you can think of drove down this very strip of abandoned highway to get to Palm Springs.

A typical gas station/cafe you would see along the highways back then. This is at Whitewater, which was one of those "blink your eyes-you're through it" type towns.

Same spot, today.

[Don Coatney]

There is nothing as relaxing as a P-15 drive through the mountains.

[Dennis_MN]

Way back into the late 50's I spent a little time at my buddies grandparents cabin up the mountain from Mentone and Yucapi. One Sunday we went the back roads to the 29 Palms area where an old friend from San Bernadino had a ranch. J. Dale Gentry was in his 80's and he bought an old mining train and set it up on his ranch. He really enjoyed running the steam engine. Talk about the rich playing with toy trains. I've often wondered what ever happened to his property and the little train. Any one even know what I'm talking about?

Dennis (the one from Minnesota)

[Don Coatney]

Way back into the late 50's I spent a little time at my buddies grandparents cabin up the mountain from Mentone and Yucapi. One Sunday we went the back roads to the 29 Palms area where an old friend from San Bernadino had a ranch. J. Dale Gentry was in his 80's and he bought an old mining train and set it up on his ranch. He really enjoyed running the steam engine. Talk about the rich playing with toy trains. I've often wondered what ever happened to his property and the little train. Any one even know what I'm talking about?

Dennis (the one from Minnesota)

A simple google search netted this.

http://www.lucernevalleyselfstorage.com/index.php?page=lvhistory2

[pflaming]

Google "grapevine" and discover the original Grapevine road which still remains. A must drive in spring when the spring flowers are blooming. With all the snow in that area this winter, it will be beautiful this spirng.

[busycoupe]

I enjoy cruising the older roads here in Massachusetts. In the summer my wife and I like to set out to find an old diner to go to for lunch. Still, I find it especially encouraging that in the "today" view of the location of the Whitewater Texaco station you can see not only your beautifully restored Plymouth, but also the wind farm in the background. A true 'past meets the future' view.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I remember traveling on that road thru Banning on our way to the Salten Sea. In 1955 we got stuck in a sand storm at Whitewater, the sand took the paint off of our new 55 Chevy wagon.

Dennis:eek:

[BobT-47P15]

An old former filling station on Historic Rt 66 right here in Joplin.

Has been a barber shop for the last several years.

Candy making store in an old rock building just south ot Joplin.

Old bridges on Rt 66, on the way to Tulsa, OK.

It's great to take a drive on older roads on a nice day.

[hkestes41]

Bob,

Have you ever had the Peanut Butter Fudge from the Candy House? My mom sends a couple pounds to Texas every year for my birthday.

My wife and I used to make the drive down to the Candy House on a fairly regular basis when we were still in Joplin.

[BobT-47P15]

I've sampled various candies from there over the years....probably had the

fudge at some time. All their stuff is good. They now have a second

store, in downtown Joplin, at 5th and Kentucky Ave.....in building

where the first local O'Reilly Auto store used to be.

When did you live in Joplin?

Guess we must not have met.

I've been here since 1968.

Where are you now? I went to your profile.....your P15 coupe looks great.

[Normspeed]

Darin, thanks for the photos. Great stuff, and your coupe looks beautiful. Glad you're getting out there and putting on the miles. Happy New Year to ya!

[RobertKB]

Darin, thanks for the pictures. I have to live vicariously through people such as you when it comes to driving old cars. I have my three flatties in my heated garage but that is as far as they go. Since early December we have had cold weather and lots of snow. I am thinking that I will not be driving them again until March or April and that really is no fun. Maybe on a warmer day I can at least open the garage door, fire them up, and listen to them run!

[Tony Cipponeri]

Afew years ago, our local POC took a trip along old 66 from Riverside Ca. to Laughlan (sic) Nevada. From Riverside to Highway 95 we only had 12 miles of freeway. Great trip, scheduled for 8 hours, wound up taking 11 1/2 hours. Tony C

[Dennis_MN]

A simple google search netted this.

http://www.lucernevalleyselfstorage.com/index.php?page=lvhistory2

I found that myself using google and J Dale Gentry. The pictures triggered a thousand memories and I then fired off a e-mail to my buddie who still lives in Southern California. Thanks for the photos and the two lane trip

Dennis

[T120]

Darin,excellent photos-I'm looking forward to another "road trip"

[Captain Neon]

Afew years ago, our local POC took a trip along old 66 from Riverside Ca. to Laughlan (sic) Nevada. From Riverside to Highway 95 we only had 12 miles of freeway. Great trip, scheduled for 8 hours, wound up taking 11 1/2 hours. Tony C

I tried to arrange a similar outing for my POC when I lived in Colorado. I wanted to go to Carhenge. I was summarily vetoed by the club President. Eventhough he had never been there, he said that the trip would be disappointing and a waste of time. He knows his club better than me, but I thought it was a good idea. Still do!

I ended up promoting it myself. Trip ended up getting rained out and I soon moved to Missouri for a new job. I still would have liked the opportunity to visit Carhenge with my P15 while I was living out that way.

[hkestes41]

I've sampled various candies from there over the years....probably had the

fudge at some time. All their stuff is good. They now have a second

store, in downtown Joplin, at 5th and Kentucky Ave.....in building

where the first local O'Reilly Auto store used to be.

When did you live in Joplin?

Guess we must not have met.

I've been here since 1968.

Where are you now? I went to your profile.....your P15 coupe looks great.

Born and raised in Carl Junction. Lived there from 61 until I got married in 84 and moved to Joplin. Lived at a great address for a Mopar fan 426 N. Byers. Moved to Frisco, Texas in 93.

Right now I have plans to make it to the HAMB drags in August. Will look you up when I am in town.