Historic U.S. 70

Until 1964, U.S. 70 was signed along the current Interstate 10 corridor, connecting downtown Los Angeles with San Bernardino and the desert cities of Palm Springs, Indio, and Blythe. The freeway was built in stages through the 1960s, but signage for U.S. 70 was gone in 1964. Incomplete sections were signed as U.S. 60 until 1972. The route was cosigned with U.S. 60 from Beaumont east to the Arizona state line near Blythe and with U.S. 99 from Beaumont east to Indio. U.S. 70 did not emerge as an stand alone U.S. highway until Globe, Arizona; with the overlapped sections eliminated, Globe now serves as the current west end of U.S. 70.

Historic Photos of

Prior to construction of the Kellogg Interchange joining I-10, SR 57 and SR 71, Kellogg Hill was much simpler. This view shows old U.S. Highway 60-99-70 over Kellogg Hill.
1940

Historic highway photo showing eastbound U.S. 99-70-60 at the unincoporated community of Cabazon. Cabazon lies south of I-10 by Exit 106.
1947

U.S. 60/70 east at Snow Creek Cafe.
1947

U.S. 60/70 west at Snow Creek Cafe.
1947

The Bridgehaven Cafe was located along the north side of U.S. 60/70 (Whitewater Cutoff Road) in Whitewater, west of the Whitewater River.
1947

The Bridgehaven Cafe along U.S. 60/70 on Whitewater Cutoff Road at night.
1947

Looking west at what was U.S. 60/70 along Whitewater Cutoff Road. The bridge spanning the Whitewater River along the alignment predating 1952 appears in the foreground.
1947

Connect with:

Historic U.S. 60

Historic U.S. 66

Historic U.S. 99

State Route 111

Page Updated Saturday April 29, 2006.