Recently I visited Riverside County and thus hit a lot of the routes tied to the history of the first CA 83. The first CA 83 was probably designated in 1937 or 1938 over a completed LRN 194. CA 83 absorbed what had been partially US 60/70 on Gillman Springs Road and ended south of Hemet at CA 79. CA 79 appears to have been realigned in 1940 over the original CA 83 which was a surprisingly quick death for the designation. Interestingly the Gillman Springs Road portion of what had been CA 83 also became the first CA 177 in 1964 (which was relinquished the following year). Aside from State Highways that became US Routes I can't think of any other highways which were killed off so quickly in the early Signed State Route era.
https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/10/the-mystery-of-original-california.html
And...look what just popped up on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CALIFORNIA-STATE-ROUTE-83-HIGHWAY-SIGN-SHIELD-PORCELAIN-BEAR-1930s-VINTAGE-REAL/143444198505?hash=item2165f0c469:g:hhMAAOSw~MZd0K32
That is one frigging rare shield, too bad I couldn't stomach paying $850 dollars for it.
Now the current CA 83:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/06/california-state-route-83.html?m=1
Fun fact, apparently the trees in the median of Euclid Avenue were planted during 1883-84.
I was exiting the 71 Freeway to California 83 yesterday and noticed that the southbound off-ramp has 360-degree red reflective pavement markers ringing the lane arrows and the stop line at the end of the ramp. One, I don't see reflectors on off-ramp arrows that often. Two, I have never seen red reflectors used for anything other than as a wrong way warning for traffic attempting to enter a freeway using an off-ramp and even then they are 50/50 red and white. Anyone have any idea about this application?
There are some reflectors on off-ramp arrows around the Southland (an example that comes immediately to mind is the Sierra Ave exit from WB CA 210 in Fontana) but I agree, red is unusual and arguably not congruent with the standard.