Description
A fun-filled look at the history and attractions of California's legendary Highway 101.
Now the road has the utilitarian designation of U.S. Route 101, but originally it had a name of romance and mystery--El Camino Real, or the King's Highway, built on the trail pioneered by the Spanish friars and marked by mission bells on the roadside. Illustrated throughout with historic photographs, Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real tells the picturesque story of this great highway and the restaurants, motels, gas stations, and roadside attractions that made it memorable to generations of travelers.
From Disneyland to the historic Madonna Inn to the Avenue of the Giants, Highway 101 catalogs the great landmarks along the road, plus the fascinating personalities, from Dorothea Lange to Jelly Roll Morton to Cecil B. DeMille, whose lives intersected with the history of the route.
A colorful history of Americana, commerce, travel, and fun, Highway 101 captures the magic of the open road.
About the Author
Stephen H. Provost is a journalist, author, and editor of The Cambrian newspaper. His previous books include Memortality, the precursor to Paralucidity, and two books of California history, Fresno Growing Up: A City Comes of Age 1945-1985 and Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street. Provost lives with his wife on California's Central Coast, where he frequently blogs on writing and current events at stephenhprovost.com.
Reviews
"The road we know today as U.S. Route 101 is one of the most historic highways in the nation, and one of the most scenic. A trip on this extraordinary road offers countless wonders: the glamour of Hollywood, the beaches of Southern California, the history and beauty of the Spanish missions, the many diversions of San Francisco, the Sonoma wine country and the grandest sight of all: the redwood forests. A definitive history of U.S. 101 in California is long overdue. In this book Stephen Provost has documented the fascinating story of the highway, from the days of Spanish exploration to the present. His text is both informative and entertaining, and the photographs are well chosen. After reading his book, the author hopes you will be inspired to venture out and begin your own explorations of the El Camino Real, the 'highway of kings.' Enjoy!"--Dan R. Young, founder and moderator of the Old Highway 101 Facebook group
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