Historic Highway 99 Association of California

[michaelfballard]

Greetings All!

I am very excited to announce that I am forming the "Historic Highway 99 Association of California" . This organization will finally create a cohesive statewide effort to protect, preserve, and promote old US 99. It will be a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation and I will be applying for the tax-exempt status as soon as the corporate paperwork clears, which may be as soon as mid-December. Once this is established, the association will be in a better position to take donations and memberships. I know there have been efforts in the past. The first, in 1993 which I created a website for in 1999, wasn't an "official"  organization. It was not incorporated and didn't seem to have tax-exempt status per the research I have done. I would love to reconnect with those involved at the time, but am unsure how to find them at this point. In early 2008, there was another effort to produce a 99 association. Once we are established here in California, we may also extend to Oregon and Washington.

On a personal note, this will not sideline my efforts with the Ridge Route. Having a larger statewide group will help bolster the Ridge Route effort. One of the first goals for the new organization is to get Historic 99 signage in Castaic, California, which is at the southern end of the Ridge Route. Regardless, all of these will be a big effort. I know it won't be easy. I have found already there is a great deal of support for this venture. I am currently in talks with the California Route 66 Association and the US Route 6 Tourist Association for guidance and assistance in this. Both have been very helpful thus far. I look forward to, once COVID is behind us, to car meets, 99 meets, and many more public meetings regarding the road.

We have a website — https://historic99.org — which will act as a clearinghouse for our information until things get moving further along. The website has a bit more detailed information and is a work in progress. The year 2021 will be our year, both for the Ridge Route and the Historic Highway 99 Association of California. If you want to be a part of this in any manner, please contact us through our website. This will be a lot of fun and I am excited to get it going.

And remember — When You're Through Getting Your Kicks on Route 66, Come Wine and Dine on Route 99! See you out there on Highway 99!

[Henry]

That sounds like a worthwhile project! Welcome to the forum, and we wish you the best of luck.

[michaelfballard]

It will be quite worthwhile. It will be a lot of hard work as well, but isn't anything insurmountable. You can only do so much with websites, facebook pages (it is unlikely there will be a facebook page for the association), and forums. This is "putting my money where my mouth is" if you will. The incorporation paperwork is already in Sacramento. Once it gets processed and certified, our tax-exempt status is next.  After that, we will be reaching out to many historical societies, cities, and counties to get the word out. There will be events along the roadway, tours, car shows, and more once things get moving. This will be far more than a simple website.

[ClassicHasClass]

Good to see you here, Mike! 

[andy3175]

Excellent news, Mike.  It is a great corridor and deserves its own advocacy group. Good luck!

[michaelfballard]

Well, the incorporation paperwork has been delivered to Sacramento. They should process it in the next couple weeks. The website has also had a few additions, such as projects and the routing of 99. I think one of the first projects will be to get the signs in Calexico updated, as at least one is badly faded. The association is already well ahead of previous attempts. This is a serious venture. If you want to get involved and actually affect positive change with Historic US 99, contact us.

[michaelfballard]

Good to see you here, Mike! 

I'm only here for the 99 association. Any further updates on it can be seen on the website.

[The Ghostbuster]

I like the Historic Highway 99's motto: "WHEN YOU'RE THROUGH GETTING YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66, COME WINE AND DINE ON ROUTE 99!"  Maybe Oregon and Washington should found their own Historic Highway 99 Associations.

[ClassicHasClass]

Good to see you here, Mike! 

I'm only here for the 99 association. Any further updates on it can be seen on the website.

Aw, stick around. Max only bites twice a week and he's had his shots. 

[michaelfballard]

Good to see you here, Mike! 

I'm only here for the 99 association. Any further updates on it can be seen on the website.

Aw, stick around. Max only bites twice a week and he's had his shots. 

Again. Only here for the 99 association. Updates can be found there. If anyone here wants to actually get involved, there are means of contact there as well. Between those here that think I am a joke, irrelevant, or hope I die, really not much point to sticking around.

[Desert Man]

Welcome to AA Roads, my hometown Indio CA in the Coachella Valley-Palm Springs area is on the former US 99 as well it's multiple personalities I-10, US 60-70, and CA SR 86-111.