Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway Historic District
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| Nearest city | Mineral, California |
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| Area | 290 acres (120 ha) |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architectural style | NPS Rustic |
| MPS | Lassen Volcanic National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000527 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 2006 |
The Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway Historic District is a special road in Lassen Volcanic National Park. This park is located in northern California. The highway was built between 1925 and 1951.
Its main purpose was to help visitors explore the park's amazing sights. The road was designed to blend in with nature. It followed special rules from the National Park Service. This style is called National Park Service Rustic. The highway is also known as California State Route 89.
Contents
Building the Lassen Park Highway
Planning the Scenic Route
Planning for the highway started in 1922. Engineers and designers from the National Park Service studied the area. They chose the best path for the road in 1923. There were discussions about how big the road system should be. They decided to keep some areas wild for hiking.
Construction Begins
Construction started in 1925. Workers began building sections in the southwest and northwest. The goal was to create a road on the eastern side of Lassen Peak. A ranger station was also built at Summit Lake. This spot was meant to be the middle of the new road system.
In 1926, the project was taken over by the Bureau of Public Roads. This agency is now called the Federal Highway Administration. They made some changes to the design. Building work continued each year during the short summer season.
Completing the Highway
The park grew bigger in 1929. This meant the road plan had to change. A new entrance was added near Manzanita Lake. The main part of the road was finished by July 1931. This was just in time for the park's official dedication.
Workers then added finishing touches. They put in entrance signs and rustic entrance stations. These stations were built at Sulphur Works and Manzanita Lake.
Upgrades and Improvements
It soon became clear that the road needed a stronger surface. So, the highway was rebuilt between 1931 and 1948. During the 1930s, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps helped with this work. This was a program where young men worked on public projects.
The entire road was paved with asphalt in the 1950s. More improvements happened in the 1950s and 1960s. This was part of a program called Mission 66. The highway was rebuilt again in the 1990s to keep it in good condition.
What Makes the Highway Special?
The Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway has special features. It uses natural materials like stone for walls and drains. This style is called "Park Service rustic." The road is designed to fit into the landscape. It offers beautiful views without harming nature.
Important buildings along the road include the Northwest Entrance Pylon. Also, the Northeast Entrance Checking Station and Ranger Residence are notable. The Summit Lake Ranger Station is another key structure. The Summit Lake Ranger Station and the area around Manzanita Lake are so important they are listed separately as historic places.
The Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway was officially recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 2006.
