Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC)

[ACSC Collector]

Since there are many subjects of signs, highways, maps and other road nostalgia, we seem to be forgetting one of the most important factors in road building and that is our auto clubs. The Automobile Club of Southern California was by far one of the biggest automobile organizations in the U.S. and one of the longest. Started in 1900 by just a fistful of organizers who were fortunate to own a "horseless carriage", became one of the leaders in automobile road building during the "Good Roads" era. ACSC was a major player in developing California roads and superseded the golden state in highway maintenance until the 1950's. I would like to hear about maps, roads , magazine articles and other ACSC subjects that might suit you fancy.

[CASIGNS]

For info and photos of ACSC sign try these two site:

www.caltrafficsigns.com

http://acsc-signs.blogspot.com/

Brian

[agentsteel53]

[ACSC Collector]

Ha, Ha! You must have been that lil' driver looking lost : ). 

[hm insulators]

When and where was that picture shot? That's a fantastic collection of signs!

[agentsteel53]

approximately 1929, probably at ACSC headquarters.

[ACSC Collector]

I drive by the ACSC headquarters all the time so I will look to see if that house is still standing. The area certainly does not look the same anymore. USC campus is right next door. That is where the ACSC archives are stored.

[The High Plains Traveler]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

[myosh_tino]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

That road sign from the ACSC later evolved into the Caltrans' standard "NOT A THROUGH STREET" sign.  Sad part was when California adopted the 2003 national MUTCD, those signs were all to be replaced with "DEAD END" signs from the SHSM manual. 

[roadfro]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

I'm struggling to understand how 'NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD' is a more succinct message than 'DEAD END'... "Succinct" means compact, brief or concise--expressing something clearly in few words...

[agentsteel53]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

incorrect.  it's NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD AUTOMOBILE CLUB SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

much more concise.

[The High Plains Traveler]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

I'm struggling to understand how 'NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD' is a more succinct message than 'DEAD END'... "Succinct" means compact, brief or concise--expressing something clearly in few words...

Did I forget my [irony][/irony] tags? I was commenting on a sign  that, even for the early days of road signage, was extremely wordy (the NOTICE part especially).

[Alps]

I find NOTICE THIS IS NOT A THROUGH ROAD to be way more succinct than DEAD END.

That road sign from the ACSC later evolved into the Caltrans' standard "NOT A THROUGH STREET" sign.  Sad part was when California adopted the 2003 national MUTCD, those signs were all to be replaced with "DEAD END" signs from the SHSM manual. 

Oddly, California was the first place I'd ever seen "NO OUTLET" signs as a kid, since NJ uses "DEAD END" exclusively.

[Quillz]

An old schoolyard one block from my house still has those old STOP signs, minus the ACSC logo at the bottom.

[ACSC Collector]

Amazing, Kings County line and San Gabriel city limits on the same sign post. No wonder that lil' tyke is confused!

[Alps]

An old schoolyard one block from my house still has those old STOP signs, minus the ACSC logo at the bottom.

Old = former yard? They can be yours! (And we want photos.)

[Quillz]

It's still actively in use, unfortunately. The school has long closed down, but a music academy meets there several times a week.

Also note that where the ACSC logo would be, instead it says "LAPD."