Daley Toll Road facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daley Toll Road Monument |
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| Location | Rimforest, California |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Edward Daley |
| Designated | May 17, 1957 |
| Reference no. | 579 |
The Daley Toll Road Monument is a special historical marker in California. It was named a California Historical Landmark (No. 579) on May 17, 1957. This monument is found in the San Bernardino Mountains. It marks the very first wagon road built in these mountains.
Contents
Building the Daley Toll Road
Engineer Edward Daley Sr. and his sons built this important road. They opened it in 1870. The Daley family managed the toll road until 1890. A toll road means people paid money to use it.
Where the Road Went
The road stretched from the city of San Bernardino all the way to Lake Arrowhead. It had a few names, like the Twin and City Creek Turnpike. People also called it the turnpike into the mountains.
The Road's Path
The road went up Strawberry Creek. Then it crossed over to the west fork of City Creek. It passed east of Strawberry Peak. Finally, it dropped into Little Bear Valley. Today, the towns of Blue Jay and Lake Arrowhead are in Little Bear Valley. John Commerford ran a store at the top end of the toll road.
Who Used the Road?
The Daley family earned good money from the road. It was used by many different people. Lumberjacks used it to move wood. Cattle ranchers and sheep herders also used it for their animals.
The Road's Later Life
In 1890, the road stopped being a toll road. It became a San Bernardino County, California road. It was then called the Daley Canyon Road. Today, this historic road is a US Forest Service fire road. This means it is closed to the public.
Where to Find the Monument
The Daley Toll Road Monument is near the town of Rimforest, California. You can find it on California State Route 18. It's about 0.6 miles east of Rim Forest, at Daley Canyon Road.
About Edward Daley Sr.
Edward Daley Sr. was born on March 31, 1825, and passed away on January 25, 1896. Besides building the road, he was also involved in local government. He served as a San Bernardino county supervisor. This was from January 5, 1880, to January 8, 1883. He also started a farm ranch called Dell Rosa. This farm was right at the entrance to the toll road.
The Daley Family's Journey
Edward Daley married Nancy Ann Hunt in 1846 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Nancy was the daughter of Captain Jefferson Hunt. Captain Hunt led wagon trains bringing pioneers west. He made three trips across the Cajon Pass and Mojave Desert. Edward and Nancy came to California on one of these trips in 1849. They had 11 children together.
Historical Marker Text
The California historical landmark marker for the Daley Toll Road reads:
- The Daley Road, built by Edward Daley and Co. in 1870, was one of the first roads into the San Bernardino Mountains that could accommodate wagons. It was a toll road until 1890, when it became a county road. Now a Forest Service fire road, it is not open to the public.
