What a memory trip. As a young child in the late 40’s I remember driving with my Mom from Lindsay to Los Angeles to the Good Samaritan Hospital to visit my Dad who was there for major back surgery. I was 7 at that time and recall my Mom telling me about Dead Mans Curve. We later moved to Porterville where my brothers and I were raised and attended elementary, Jr. High & High School. In March of 1960 I was returning from Air Force boot camp in San Antonio, Tx and had gotten off a plane from San Antonio to Los Angeles. I was hitch hiking from Los Angeles to Porterville where my parents lived and had secured a ride as far as the Lebec Hotel. I called my Dad from there and asked if he could pick me up at the Lebec Hotel. I spent the next couple of hours in the dining room at the Hotel waiting for my dad to arrive. In the early 70’s my wife and two sons were returning from a visit to my parents in Porterville and we stopped at Ft. Tejon for a picnic lunch before returning to our home in Valinda, Ca. Thanks for those wonderful memories. I had not thought about those moments until I watched this video
Jeff, it was an insulator for the old fashioned cloth covered wiring. In the attic of my Long Beach, CA house there was cloth wiring found. My Grandfather had the house rewired for 230 V service where one leg was taken for 115 V, neutral and ground / earth. That old cloth wiring was 100 volts two wire system of a hot lead and a neutral, no ground. Rats would bite into the cloth insulation and cause fires. Also, to quote Jan and Dean, "won't come back from dead man's curve."
Super history lesson. I spent a few days in the area as a 12 year old boy with my uncle in 1965, who was the superintendent for the Kirst Constrution Company during the constrution of the I5. Together we explored many of the mentioned land marks explained so well. Thank you so much!
What a tremendous history lesson. Old photographs are priceless. Imagine a full chicken dinner feast at the hotel for only $2. But you know that $2.00 back then was probably more like $40 today and we would be complaining about the outrageous prices especially say for a family of four. Rooms with a bath for 3 or 4 dollars as well. I remember as a small child, I'm 64 now, listening to my uncle talk about the Ridge Route. I have never been on it but have been fascinated all my life about these out of the way bits of our local [ gone but not forgotten ] historical locations. This video took an amazing amount of time and research to present to us and be sure that we all truly appreciated your efforts very much.
As a longtime resident of The Mountains where the Hotel Lebec was located, that was very interesting. This area (Fort Tejon) has a fascinating history. It was a major trading hub for Native Peoples from the Pacific to the Mississippi for thousands of years. The Chumash People hold Mount Pinos to be the Center of The World , and have Solstice/Equinox ceremonies there.
Another walk down memory lane! 1966 the family had departed (Corona) on vacation. My sister had just turned 16 and was a newly minted driver. Dad had given her instructions on taking the Ventura Freeway to head up the coast, then decided to take a nap. Going up the Golden State, she found herself on the far wrong side to take the Ventura (freeways were as confusing then as they are now!). Missing the turn off, Denise woke Dad up, expected a tongue lashing. Instead, Dad said that he had been looking for an excuse to find the old Ridge Route, so we went looking for it. Had to drive about a mile and a half on the graded (no pavement) new 8-lane Int-5 before reaching the Ridge Route. (There were signs directing drivers on the construction, a not yet built frontage road was to become the access road.) So, that afternoon, we drove the Ridge Route from Castaic to Gorman, a really wild ride! It's been thirty years since I've been up the I-5, but since watching this, it dug up a long forgotten memory. In the late seventies, I drove the I-5 quite frequently. And, every time, I had one of those "didn't there used to be..." moments. Thanks to this video, I remember seeing that hotel in numerous childhood trips to the Central Valley. Thanks for the memories.
I am old enough to remember the dangerous ridge route while riding with my parents and two sisters. 15 miles an hour behind a truck and trailer. Seems like it took forever to get to Bakersfield from the Valley. Thank you so very. And blessings to you guys.
What a great video! As a kid I remember traveling through the area with my father who drove truck from San Diego to the bay area. Then in 1968 I became a truck driver and ran the same roads as I had with my father. I kind of watched the whole area change over the years. I'm 71 now and it's great to watch this video and learn about the area of the old days. You're obviously a history nut like myself, and I'm very appreciative that you take the time to make these videos, being that you work full time for a living and still make time for your educational videos. I think you do a great job of helping people to see the great history this country of ours has to offer. Please keep up the great work. Stay safe out there driving and enjoy your travels 👍
I watched this video a couple of years ago. I didn't know how to post a comment then. In 1958, my parents and family moved to Lebec. My dad was an Auto Mechanic and 24 hour Tow Truck Driver at the Lebec Garage. My mother worked at the Lebec Coffee Shop. In 1958, our School watched the Olympic Torch Runner run North on Hwy 99 (now I-5). During the time I lived in Lebec I was able to see I-5 being built. During the first years, I remember Hwy 99 was only on the west side of the well known Grapevine. It was called the Grapevine because of all the twist and turns of Hwy 99 and Dead Man's Curve. The locals called the Original Hotel "Lebec Hotel " which my siblings and I used to play in the destroyed portion at that time. Also in 1960, I watched the Presidential Debate between Kennedy and Nixon on TV. I would walk to Lebec to visit my parents at work. There was a combined political campaign office in the main rock building where I at 10 years old would gather Bumper Stickers and Large Kennedy Pins and them hand out to travelers that would stop in Lebec. The School I went to is the Spanish Styled building on the East side of I-5 at the Truck Scales called Lebec Grade School. Our family moved to Rosamond near Edward's Air Force Base, before moving to Sacramento, Ca, where I still live today at age 74. Thank you for all of the Memories and Videos.
Thanks for sharing your story of life in Lebec! I have a local area question you may be able to answer...there is a structure just east of the junction of Ridge Route Road and Lancaster Rd (138). A group of buildings in the Spanish style that include a lovely water tower. Any idea what it may have been? It appears to be a private residence now, but I get the impression it may have been a lodge or rest stop of some kind. Thanks again for your recollections!
Yet another road gone to improvements and safety. I thank you for sharing and posting a few pictures to give us road hounds a glimpse into the way it used to be. Your tenacity in digging up old photos and in person scenery is second to none . 👍❤️😉
I vividly remember my grandparents talking about the "Ridge Route" and how dangerous it was. I have driven past this area many many times on my way to SoCal and back. Thank you Jeff and Sarah for taking the time to educate all of us about this area. Once again, my Sunday mornings are always one of turning on my computer to find what video you have for us. Thanks for feeding my addiction to your channel......Russell D.
Thank you, Jeff, for investigating the property of the Lebec Hotel. Love the history behind it! You are quite the detective! I appreciate your curiosity about these “off road” places that are long gone! So great to see the old photos and hear the stories of “Bugsy” Seagle, Carole Lombard, etc. It’s interesting to see the bits of remnants of buildings that were destroyed ie: terra-cotta roof tiles, bathroom window glass and gas station islands. You are a “Super Sleuth”! Loved the old 20’s/30’s music at the end! You are so good at what you do. Thank you! “Mo’ in Stockton”
My parents would always give us kids a stop to see the ruins left behind. I was always fascinated by the columns and part of the building. I always loved that place!
Thanks for doing this. I grew up in Lebec and lived there in about 1959-1960. My dad was the accountant for the Tejon Ranch. I vividly remember the Olympic torch runner running past our house for the 1960 winter Olympics. I have vague memories of seeing the old hotel.
Was a truck driver and drove Interstate 5 many times for a few companies. Good to see the background on this. Especially deadman’s curve. Thanks you guys, wonderful job.
Thank you so much for this video. My husband was a truck driver. Portland to LA every week and this was his route. He’d take 99 or I-5 depending on the weather. We had passed these location and never knew the history.
My father was a musician in the early’30’s and played for dances on weekends at the Lebec Hotel. He said it a major undertaking just to make the drive on the ‘Ridge from Los Angeles. He would stay Friday through Sunday morning. The gig was for dances both evenings. Because they were “working class”they were allowed to sleep free by placing mattresses on the roof! In the summer of course, it was nice sleeping under the stars. He remarked that it was one of the happiest times of his youth. It was the Great Depression and the wages for musicians was quite good.
I really enjoy your videos. I'm a history geek (B.A. in History from UCSD) so I really love what you are doing. There is so much history that is being lost and people like yourself are doing all of us a great service by documenting it. Keep up the good work!
I was born in the early sixty's. The freedoms we enjoyed growing up are becoming a part of history along with everything else. So many places we no longer have access to. Places we walked to, places we hiked all over mountains to get to, just to enjoy the view a day of swimming, fishing, digging for crystals and panning in the river. All a thing of the past. Sad! Kids now day's have no idea what they missed out on.
Been over the Grapevine too many times to count going all the way back to the mid 50's. Never stopped now I think the next time over the ridge andI will stop and check this place out. Love the program.
Thanks for sharing this treasure of History! It bothers me to see parts of these areas simply rotting and decaying. Lost to the public and not appreciated. Thank you for your work and your endeavors to jar our minds to remember where we come from and where.we are headed.
In the early 80's, a friend of mines Dad owned a cabin in Lebec ( in the hills to the west ), where we went deer hunting. Also toured Fort Tejon, which is pretty cool. Plus I used to drive hazardous waste tankers from Long Beach to Taft and Fellows about once a week. Awesome video !! As always !
Born and raised in Bakersfield we would travel to LA (on the old road..5 hours each way) once a month to visit my Aunt and grandmother. I remember seeing this old hotel and always wanted to stop and explore inside but never had time since the whole family was in the car. Years later my dad and I went down south by ourselves to pick up a dresser my Aunt gave me. I talked my dad into stopping at the old hotel so I could look around. I remember going in the main lobby and seeing the registration desk with the grand staircase behind it. There was a couple of fallen columns (shown in the lobby picture here) laying on the floor. I didn’t go up the staircase because it didn’t look safe. That was on a Sunday and within 3 or 4 days afterwards they burned it down. Sorry I didn’t go and explore more of this once great hotel.
Thank you! That's the hotel we used to pass. My parents said it was a very swanky place in the 1920s. It was sad to see such an attractive building neglected. We never stopped at Fort Tejon. I have the impression it was in use. My memory of going south on the Grapevine was of many, many cars pulled over with vaporlock.
This episode was one of your best yet. I've driven past there so many times yet didn't know the history of it at all. As usual, you did a great job of matching up old photos with the present day landscape.
Fascinating episode!! Crazy how it all has been erased from existence!! Loved looking down at dead mans curve. To think how many old time cars had been through that curve and area. Loved the old 20s and 30s music you added in as well!! Excellent episode!!
We were just out in that area at the end of January 2021. Stopped into Bakersfield and was impressed by the old movie theaters and the old hotel there in town. Stopped at the crypt of Buck Owens too, after going to the wrong cemetery. Lol. Taking Hwy #99 - south was a whole lot nicer than Hwy #5 - south was. That will be the highway to take from now on, at least for me anyway, when going to Los Angeles . Great video !
I already commented earlier, but I just wanted to tell you how nice it was to see someone research and explore and do a video on the old ridge route. I absolutely eat this stuff up. Sometime in the early 1990s, I "discovered" route 66, and started taking road trips on old route 66 in 1996. After making many trips up and down old 66, I became fascinated with old highway 80, from Tybee Island Georgia to San Diego. Old 80 runs through my home state of Mississippi. About the same time, I became very interested in the ridge route. I've done quite a bit of reading on it, but I was so pleased to see your video. Very well done. I have subscribed to your channel and I look forward to seeing many more videos.
Thankyou so much for your show. Watching from South Central Montana. Had alot of family in California. They're all passed on now. I love to see the history of places they may have mentioned. Thankyou for the wonderful tours!
One of my favorite shows so far. I like when you're on location then show a corresponding historical photo, so we can see what the location looks like now and what it looked like back in the day. You guys are great editors! Also, great intro- very informative.
@@jbenziggy my grandfather was nicknamed Rovin when he left Ireland. I was given it at age 6 yrs. I was his 21st grandchild. It's been Rovin since 1966.
Very cool, had no idea about that Hotel. We went over the Grape vine every summer for Vacation, thanks I love this kind of delivery about local and State history.
Hey, Hello Sarah & Jeff how are you guys doing well just wanted To stop bye and wish you and everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY Wich I think I these times Everyone need some kind of happiness...And I really appreciate this type of Vidoe old Road's, town's, house's, buildings, people, you know the kind of stuff you usually do Wich I find so informative and learn so much from and places I'll never get to I get to see but through your cameras so thank you take care, stay safe, and God bless MARK D
Wife and I commented how you find locations that are so interesting. Growing up in Modesto, cant tell you how may times we have driven by that location on the way to LA. Never knew it was there. One thing that caught my interest was the name Don Pedro. Makes me wonder if that name ties to Lake Don Pedro east of Modesto. I'm chuckling, now you have me hunting for history.
Thank you. I do believe that the Don Pedro near Modesto was named after prospector Pierre "Don Pedro" Sainsevain. So no connection there. Like you, I had traveled this route millions of times and didn't know until I became a ... History Hunter! LOL
Hey Jeff great video that's a neat looking place I love california my aunt and uncle lived outthere I love it when I would go visit them a lot of history outthere you and Sara are awesome Randy from Kentucky.
Thank you for your historical coverage of Lebec Hotel and the Restaurant, and Gas station, I was at the Lebec Restaurant in 1945 when I was only six years old, my parents took me up to play in the snow, later I used to take the Greyhound bus from Burbank myself when I was 13 and even later drove up to play in the snow near Frazer Park and Mt Pinos. You did a great job and I loved the old pictures.
I really appreciate you sharing about your connection to Lebec! I think as I get older my most fondest memories are of the time that I was a child with my grandparents. Life seemed so much simpler back then.
This was absolutely amazing, Jeff. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as always. Thank you both for the research, location shots, historical references and visuals that accompanied the presentation. AWESOME, simply FANtastic... 👏🔥📣🤗
@@jbenziggy I see a building north of the old gas station, you did not talk about it, is it still being used? Thank you. At the 9:31second mark.{ I'm also replying here to make sure that you might see the question. :) }
I love these videos. I never knew about this. Thank you. lived for a while in pine mountain club and I remember we would take some crazy side road starting in castaic trying to get through the crazy traffic there would be going north.
I can remember as a child, going with my parents to visalia via the Ridge route, and every time the car boiled, this was in the 1940's and we had to have lunch at a place with tables and water for the car. Great fun, every time!!
Awesome! What a gem! This was a really cool video Jeff! I love learning about past people, places and locations and one’s we might not ever heard of, but then again I’m on the east coast lol! Thank you for the history of this place and all the time and research you did to present this to us. As always a superb job! Take care now and look forward to seeing the next one! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.
Great job of research and your commentary delivery is the best. I know this area well because of recreating in the area for years. I also have a great appreciation for Junior Lindbergh, as being in the aerospace business for decades . I also have been slightly involved with gliders and knowing of Lindberghs local involvement. The San Diego Glider Club brought me to launch off the same cliffs of Blacks Beach as Charles and wife did in the 30' as founders of that club. AMAZING COUPLE. He brought her to a World of adventure.
Back in the early ‘80 ‘s a buddy and I made the drive up the Mountain to the Piñon Pines for the opening of the Band Tailed Pigeon hunting season a couple of times w / my Lab. On one trip we stopped for breakfast before heading up & the waitress asked us what we were up to , when we told her she got quite indignant that we hunt ! She didn’t get a gratuity ! John
Thanks for a nice informative video as a truck driver I've made over a thousand trips over the Grapevine and there is a lot to see including several spots were you can see the old original concrete roadway................
Enjoyed this. My memories, are from the 60's, when we went on family vacations from so cal to the delta.... houseboating. Back then, dad called it the "Grapevine". Current 5 was still being constructed.... so many of the roads we traveled, are no longer there... ( under Pyramid Lake ) or just go to nowhere. In the late 70's, I think I did most of the original ridge route on my motorcycle.... when it was still accessible. Thanks for this video.
What a great post I live in the top of Frazier Park, I’ve stopped there to read that marker and never knew that’s where the Lebec hotel was. Fantastic history in this post thank you.
I've driven by there literally hundreds of times and knew very little about the history of Lebec. You could drive most of the old ridge route with a 4WD vehicle until a few years ago. I believe it's now blocked from vehicles but I no longer live in the area. Thank you.
Thank you so much! I was about to be a little disappointed but you DID stop at Fort Tejon! So many, many times we stopped there to take a brief rest from the road. They used to have awesome re-enactments there! Thanks guys! You always help to ease my being homesick! ♥️
Awesome, awesome. What a nice tour. My mom used to tell me about the hotel and the old ridge route. She would tell me about the horrific accidents that would occur. Thanks for taking us along this journey.
weird stumbling upon this. I thought of this place about a month ago. haven't thought of it in decades as a kid visiting family in Bakersfield, we took a side trip and explored the abandoned hotel. I must have been in early teens when I was there and my first abandoned exploration of a big place. cant remember the exact year-took lots of trips to Bakersfield. probably tour it down soon after I was there I remember how much junk and garbage there was in the place. but I also remember it was a pretty Spanish stucco building all these decades later this is the first time I ever knew the name of the place or any history, that I remember anyway. btw- I also remember that we weren't alone. lots of people took the trip out to go through the place! thanks for posting this
What a memory trip. As a young child in the late 40’s I remember driving with my Mom from Lindsay to Los Angeles to the Good Samaritan Hospital to visit my Dad who was there for major back surgery. I was 7 at that time and recall my Mom telling me about Dead Mans Curve. We later moved to Porterville where my brothers and I were raised and attended elementary, Jr. High & High School. In March of 1960 I was returning from Air Force boot camp in San Antonio, Tx and had gotten off a plane from San Antonio to Los Angeles. I was hitch hiking from Los Angeles to Porterville where my parents lived and had secured a ride as far as the Lebec Hotel. I called my Dad from there and asked if he could pick me up at the Lebec Hotel. I spent the next couple of hours in the dining room at the Hotel waiting for my dad to arrive.
In the early 70’s my wife and two sons were returning from a visit to my parents in Porterville and we stopped at Ft. Tejon for a picnic lunch before returning to our home in Valinda, Ca.
Thanks for those wonderful memories.
I had not thought about those moments until I watched this video
Huell Howser did a fun episode where he rode on the Ridge Route in a Model T. Also and episode of Fort Tejon and another about Tejon Ranch. Fun stuff.
I remember that episode Huell always put it down like a Boss 💪
I now call this "Howsering"
Jeff, it was an insulator for the old fashioned cloth covered wiring. In the attic of my Long Beach, CA house there was cloth wiring found. My Grandfather had the house rewired for 230 V service where one leg was taken for 115 V, neutral and ground / earth. That old cloth wiring was 100 volts two wire system of a hot lead and a neutral, no ground. Rats would bite into the cloth insulation and cause fires.
Also, to quote Jan and Dean, "won't come back from dead man's curve."
Super history lesson. I spent a few days in the area as a 12 year old boy with my uncle in 1965, who was the superintendent for the Kirst Constrution Company during the constrution of the I5. Together we explored many of the mentioned land marks explained so well. Thank you so much!
What a tremendous history lesson. Old photographs are priceless. Imagine a full chicken dinner feast at the hotel for only $2. But you know that $2.00 back then was probably more like $40 today and we would be complaining about the outrageous prices especially say for a family of four. Rooms with a bath for 3 or 4 dollars as well. I remember as a small child, I'm 64 now, listening to my uncle talk about the Ridge Route. I have never been on it but have been fascinated all my life about these out of the way bits of our local [ gone but not forgotten ] historical locations. This video took an amazing amount of time and research to present to us and be sure that we all truly appreciated your efforts very much.
As a longtime resident of The Mountains where the Hotel Lebec was located, that was very interesting. This area (Fort Tejon) has a fascinating history. It was a major trading hub for Native Peoples from the Pacific to the Mississippi for thousands of years. The Chumash People hold Mount Pinos to be the Center of The World , and have Solstice/Equinox ceremonies there.
Another walk down memory lane! 1966 the family had departed (Corona) on vacation. My sister had just turned 16 and was a newly minted driver. Dad had given her instructions on taking the Ventura Freeway to head up the coast, then decided to take a nap. Going up the Golden State, she found herself on the far wrong side to take the Ventura (freeways were as confusing then as they are now!). Missing the turn off, Denise woke Dad up, expected a tongue lashing. Instead, Dad said that he had been looking for an excuse to find the old Ridge Route, so we went looking for it. Had to drive about a mile and a half on the graded (no pavement) new 8-lane Int-5 before reaching the Ridge Route. (There were signs directing drivers on the construction, a not yet built frontage road was to become the access road.) So, that afternoon, we drove the Ridge Route from Castaic to Gorman, a really wild ride!
It's been thirty years since I've been up the I-5, but since watching this, it dug up a long forgotten memory. In the late seventies, I drove the I-5 quite frequently. And, every time, I had one of those "didn't there used to be..." moments. Thanks to this video, I remember seeing that hotel in numerous childhood trips to the Central Valley. Thanks for the memories.
Wow, great story
I am old enough to remember the dangerous ridge route while riding with my parents and two sisters. 15 miles an hour behind a truck and trailer. Seems like it took forever to get to Bakersfield from the Valley. Thank you so very. And blessings to you guys.
What a great video! As a kid I remember traveling through the area with my father who drove truck from San Diego to the bay area. Then in 1968 I became a truck driver and ran the same roads as I had with my father. I kind of watched the whole area change over the years. I'm 71 now and it's great to watch this video and learn about the area of the old days. You're obviously a history nut like myself, and I'm very appreciative that you take the time to make these videos, being that you work full time for a living and still make time for your educational videos. I think you do a great job of helping people to see the great history this country of ours has to offer. Please keep up the great work. Stay safe out there driving and enjoy your travels 👍
I watched this video a couple of years ago. I didn't know how to post a comment then. In 1958, my parents and family moved to Lebec. My dad was an Auto Mechanic and 24 hour Tow Truck Driver at the Lebec Garage. My mother worked at the Lebec Coffee Shop. In 1958, our School watched the Olympic Torch Runner run North on Hwy 99 (now I-5). During the time I lived in Lebec I was able to see I-5 being built. During the first years, I remember Hwy 99 was only on the west side of the well known Grapevine. It was called the Grapevine because of all the twist and turns of Hwy 99 and Dead Man's Curve. The locals called the Original Hotel "Lebec Hotel " which my siblings and I used to play in the destroyed portion at that time. Also in 1960, I watched the Presidential Debate between Kennedy and Nixon on TV. I would walk to Lebec to visit my parents at work. There was a combined political campaign office in the main rock building where I at 10 years old would gather Bumper Stickers and Large Kennedy Pins and them hand out to travelers that would stop in Lebec. The School I went to is the Spanish Styled building on the East side of I-5 at the Truck Scales called Lebec Grade School. Our family moved to Rosamond near Edward's Air Force Base, before moving to Sacramento, Ca, where I still live today at age 74. Thank you for all of the Memories and Videos.
Thanks for sharing your story of life in Lebec! I have a local area question you may be able to answer...there is a structure just east of the junction of Ridge Route Road and Lancaster Rd (138). A group of buildings in the Spanish style that include a lovely water tower. Any idea what it may have been? It appears to be a private residence now, but I get the impression it may have been a lodge or rest stop of some kind. Thanks again for your recollections!
Lancaster, that’s me since 1983. It’s sad to see things gone but, we love what you do and the stories you and Sarah bring us every Sunday.
Yet another road gone to improvements and safety. I thank you for sharing and posting a few pictures to give us road hounds a glimpse into the way it used to be. Your tenacity in digging up old photos and in person scenery is second to none . 👍❤️😉
I vividly remember my grandparents talking about the "Ridge Route" and how dangerous it was. I have driven past this area many many times on my way to SoCal and back. Thank you Jeff and Sarah for taking the time to educate all of us about this area. Once again, my Sunday mornings are always one of turning on my computer to find what video you have for us. Thanks for feeding my addiction to your channel......Russell D.
Thank you, Jeff, for investigating the property of the Lebec Hotel. Love the history behind it! You are quite the detective! I appreciate your curiosity about these “off road” places that are long gone! So great to see the old photos and hear the stories of “Bugsy” Seagle, Carole Lombard, etc. It’s interesting to see the bits of remnants of buildings that were destroyed ie: terra-cotta roof tiles, bathroom window glass and gas station islands. You are a “Super Sleuth”! Loved the old 20’s/30’s music at the end! You are so good at what you do. Thank you! “Mo’ in Stockton”
What a great find! Weird how history can just be wiped out.
Wont be long now and America will be wiped out with all the woke cancel culture tards trying to wipe out our history
My parents would always give us kids a stop to see the ruins left behind. I was always fascinated by the columns and part of the building. I always loved that place!
i automatically liked this before I even watched, cause I love what you guys do! Can't wait!
Thanks for doing this. I grew up in Lebec and lived there in about 1959-1960. My dad was the accountant for the Tejon Ranch. I vividly remember the Olympic torch runner running past our house for the 1960 winter Olympics. I have vague memories of seeing the old hotel.
Was a truck driver and drove Interstate 5 many times for a few companies. Good to see the background on this. Especially deadman’s curve. Thanks you guys, wonderful job.
Thank you so much for this video. My husband was a truck driver. Portland to LA every week and this was his route. He’d take 99 or I-5 depending on the weather. We had passed these location and never knew the history.
I grew up in Lebec. So cool to come upon this video. Thank you for posting.
In the past, since childhood, I transited the Grapevine many times. Thanks for the memories.
Our pleasure!
This has been on my "to explore" list for a few years now. Such an interesting area with a lot of history.
My father was a musician in the early’30’s and played for dances on weekends at the Lebec Hotel. He said it a major undertaking just to make the drive on the ‘Ridge from Los Angeles. He would stay Friday through Sunday morning. The gig was for dances both evenings. Because they were “working class”they were allowed to sleep free by placing mattresses on the roof! In the summer of course, it was nice sleeping under the stars. He remarked that it was one of the happiest times of his youth. It was the Great Depression and the wages for musicians was quite good.
I really enjoy your videos. I'm a history geek (B.A. in History from UCSD) so I really love what you are doing. There is so much history that is being lost and people like yourself are doing all of us a great service by documenting it. Keep up the good work!
Awesome to hear! Thank you very much for supporting this channel and our efforts to tell our history!!!
Love seeing your "finds" in the ruins. Love your pictorial overlays showing locations and changed landscape.
I was born in the early sixty's. The freedoms we enjoyed growing up are becoming a part of history along with everything else. So many places we no longer have access to. Places we walked to, places we hiked all over mountains to get to, just to enjoy the view a day of swimming, fishing, digging for crystals and panning in the river. All a thing of the past. Sad! Kids now day's have no idea what they missed out on.
Well said! Thank you!!!
Sunday morning, cup of Joe & History Hunters.....😁
Morning!
Been over the Grapevine too many times to count going all the way back to the mid 50's. Never stopped now I think the next time over the ridge andI will stop and check this place out. Love the program.
Thank you! Glad you like our videos!
Thanks again Jeff and Sarah. I look forward to Sunday mornings to see what's new.
Thanks for sharing this treasure of History! It bothers me to see parts of these areas simply rotting and decaying. Lost to the public and not appreciated. Thank you for your work and your endeavors to jar our minds to remember where we come from and where.we are headed.
In the early 80's, a friend of mines Dad owned a cabin in Lebec ( in the hills to the west ), where we went deer hunting. Also toured Fort Tejon, which is pretty cool. Plus I used to drive hazardous waste tankers from Long Beach to Taft and Fellows about once a week. Awesome video !! As always !
Born and raised in Bakersfield we would travel to LA (on the old road..5 hours each way) once a month to visit my Aunt and grandmother. I remember seeing this old hotel and always wanted to stop and explore inside but never had time since the whole family was in the car. Years later my dad and I went down south by ourselves to pick up a dresser my Aunt gave me. I talked my dad into stopping at the old hotel so I could look around. I remember going in the main lobby and seeing the registration desk with the grand staircase behind it. There was a couple of fallen columns (shown in the lobby picture here) laying on the floor. I didn’t go up the staircase because it didn’t look safe. That was on a Sunday and within 3 or 4 days afterwards they burned it down. Sorry I didn’t go and explore more of this once great hotel.
Thank you! That's the hotel we used to pass. My parents said it was a very swanky place in the 1920s. It was sad to see such an attractive building neglected. We never stopped at Fort Tejon. I have the impression it was in use. My memory of going south on the Grapevine was of many, many cars pulled over with vaporlock.
Oh wow! I sure wish it was still there because I think it would be an awesome place if they had kept it up.
This episode was one of your best yet. I've driven past there so many times yet didn't know the history of it at all. As usual, you did a great job of matching up old photos with the present day landscape.
Fascinating episode!! Crazy how it all has been erased from existence!! Loved looking down at dead mans curve. To think how many old time cars had been through that curve and area. Loved the old 20s and 30s music you added in as well!! Excellent episode!!
We were just out in that area at the end of January 2021. Stopped into Bakersfield and was impressed by the old movie theaters and the old hotel there in town. Stopped at the crypt of Buck Owens too, after going to the wrong cemetery. Lol. Taking Hwy #99 - south was a whole lot nicer than Hwy #5 - south was. That will be the highway to take from now on, at least for me anyway, when going to Los Angeles . Great video !
Wow! Dead Mans Curve! And Jan & Dean Dead's Man Curve song "Is No place to play" Thank You for sharing
I love the old pictures with the stories. Great job.
I already commented earlier, but I just wanted to tell you how nice it was to see someone research and explore and do a video on the old ridge route. I absolutely eat this stuff up. Sometime in the early 1990s, I "discovered" route 66, and started taking road trips on old route 66 in 1996. After making many trips up and down old 66, I became fascinated with old highway 80, from Tybee Island Georgia to San Diego. Old 80 runs through my home state of Mississippi. About the same time, I became very interested in the ridge route. I've done quite a bit of reading on it, but I was so pleased to see your video. Very well done. I have subscribed to your channel and I look forward to seeing many more videos.
Thankyou so much for your show. Watching from South Central Montana. Had alot of family in California. They're all passed on now. I love to see the history of places they may have mentioned. Thankyou for the wonderful tours!
Huell Howser Quote "Thats Amazing!" Crazy something so grand barely remains. And the animal museum too. Thanks for the history lesson.
I've been by that Area numerous times, Did not have a clue .
Went there many times as a kid thanks for showing fort tecone
As a truck driver I've pass by this area 1000's times for the last 30 yrs, never knew about this hotel and other business. Thanks Jeff for this info.
One of my favorite shows so far. I like when you're on location then show a corresponding historical photo, so we can see what the location looks like now and what it looked like back in the day. You guys are great editors! Also, great intro- very informative.
Thanks so much!
I did not know how much history was in this mountains which I travel often as a truck driver WOW. THANK YOU FOR SHARING .
The ground holds secrets! I like exposing them!
Eu que não sou americano não conheço a América más gosto também de explorar lugares assim obrigado @@jbenziggy
What a wonderful lesson, thank you! My grandparents traveled the Old Ridge Road numerous times and I heard tales of how harrowing it was.
Love your channel and watched many episodes now. I love American history and how you present it. Carry on the good work Thank you. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Learned a lot from this video. I've always wondered where Dead Man's Curve was. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to make this video.
Thanks, Rovin! Is that your real name?
@@jbenziggy my grandfather was nicknamed Rovin when he left Ireland. I was given it at age 6 yrs. I was his 21st grandchild. It's been Rovin since 1966.
Thanks for all the wonderful Cali history!
Very cool, had no idea about that Hotel. We went over the Grape vine every summer for Vacation, thanks I love this kind of delivery about local and State history.
Hey, Hello Sarah & Jeff how are you guys doing well just wanted To stop bye and wish you and everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY Wich I think I these times Everyone need some kind of happiness...And I really appreciate this type of Vidoe old Road's, town's, house's, buildings, people, you know the kind of stuff you usually do Wich I find so informative and learn so much from and places I'll never get to I get to see but through your cameras so thank you take care, stay safe, and God bless MARK D
Wife and I commented how you find locations that are so interesting. Growing up in Modesto, cant tell you how may times we have driven by that location on the way to LA. Never knew it was there. One thing that caught my interest was the name Don Pedro. Makes me wonder if that name ties to Lake Don Pedro east of Modesto. I'm chuckling, now you have me hunting for history.
Thank you. I do believe that the Don Pedro near Modesto was named after prospector Pierre "Don Pedro" Sainsevain. So no connection there. Like you, I had traveled this route millions of times and didn't know until I became a ... History Hunter! LOL
Hey Jeff great video that's a neat looking place I love california my aunt and uncle lived outthere I love it when I would go visit them a lot of history outthere you and Sara are awesome Randy from Kentucky.
Thank you! Randy we really do appreciate your comment and spirit if friendship!
Thank you for your historical coverage of Lebec Hotel and the Restaurant, and Gas station, I was at the Lebec Restaurant in 1945 when I was only six years old, my parents took me up to play in the snow, later I used to take the Greyhound bus from Burbank myself when I was 13 and even later drove up to play in the snow near Frazer Park and Mt Pinos. You did a great job and I loved the old pictures.
I really appreciate you sharing about your connection to Lebec! I think as I get older my most fondest memories are of the time that I was a child with my grandparents. Life seemed so much simpler back then.
Just have to say, with all the thousands of different channels to watch, yours is absolutely one our favorites, great work
That’s very nice to hear. Thank you for watching and thank you for being a huge fan!
This was absolutely amazing, Jeff. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as always. Thank you both for the research, location shots, historical references and visuals that accompanied the presentation. AWESOME, simply
FANtastic... 👏🔥📣🤗
Wow, thanks Rhonda! Glad you enjoyed it and gave us that fantastic feedback!
@@jbenziggy
I see a building north of the old gas station, you did not talk about it, is it still being used? Thank you. At the 9:31second mark.{ I'm also replying here to make sure that you might see the question. :) }
I LOVE ALL THE DETAIL YOU PUT INTO YOUR STORIES!!!! THE LITTLE FACTS ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST INTERESTING!!!!
Glad you enjoy it! I will remember your comment in the future!
As usual, great research, filming, editing, narration and full of interesting information. It's become a part of my Sunday morning ritual. Thank you.
That was great Jeff,
so much history and detail
Thanks
Central California Watching
I love these videos. I never knew about this. Thank you. lived for a while in pine mountain club and I remember we would take some crazy side road starting in castaic trying to get through the crazy traffic there would be going north.
This must be my day to find old History Hunters videos to catch up on
How did you miss this one? It must be years old by now!
@@jbenziggy 🤷
I drive by there every other weekend and would have never known that was there. Thanks History Hunter!
Fascinating! Great research and period photos and films. Thank you!
The new CA gold. Keep them coming. Love it
Thanks, friend! We really appreciate the views!
@@jbenziggy Exactly you take up where Huell Howser left off
I can remember as a child, going with my parents to visalia via the Ridge route, and every time the car boiled, this was in the 1940's and we had to have lunch at a place with tables and water for the car. Great fun, every time!!
Is there anybody else that stumbled on this UA-cam channel And can't stop watching it like me?🙌🏻
Wow that’s an amazing compliment! Thanks! We have heard many others have binge watched our show! It’s definitely humbling to know!!!
Awesome! What a gem! This was a really cool video Jeff! I love learning about past people, places and locations and one’s we might not ever heard of, but then again I’m on the east coast lol!
Thank you for the history of this place and all the time and research you did to present this to us. As always a superb job!
Take care now and look forward to seeing the next one! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.
very kool "jeff n sarah" ! history at its best .... ...happy trails always....
Thank you! Happy trails to you too!
Great job of research and your commentary delivery is the best. I know this area well because of recreating in the area for years. I also have a great appreciation for Junior Lindbergh, as being in the aerospace business for decades . I also have been slightly involved with gliders and knowing of Lindberghs local involvement. The San Diego Glider Club brought me to launch off the same cliffs of Blacks Beach as Charles and wife did in the 30' as founders of that club. AMAZING COUPLE. He brought her to a World of adventure.
I love out of the way long ago places of history. Never knew about the hotel and this area. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Not many folks know about the Hotel Lebec but they do now!
Thanks for the video. This was really interesting. The old photographs were wonderful. I subscribed.
Back in the early ‘80 ‘s a buddy and I made the drive up the Mountain to the Piñon Pines for the opening of the Band Tailed Pigeon hunting season a couple of times w / my Lab. On one trip we stopped for breakfast before heading up & the waitress asked us what we were up to , when we told her she got quite indignant that we hunt ! She didn’t get a gratuity ! John
Thanks for a nice informative video as a truck driver I've made over a thousand trips over the Grapevine and there is a lot to see including several spots were you can see the old original concrete roadway................
Very interesting. I like seeing pictures of what it used to look like.Buildings and people come and go, but the mountains remain the same...
I enjoyed watching and learning about this stretch of Ca.
Another great episode... Love the music too.. Can't wait for the next episode..
Wow! Memories. We use to travel the Grapevine often.
Another wonderful story. It is amazing what you find just barely off the beaten path. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Enjoyed this. My memories, are from the 60's, when we went on family vacations from so cal to the delta.... houseboating. Back then, dad called it the "Grapevine". Current 5 was still being constructed.... so many of the roads we traveled, are no longer there... ( under Pyramid Lake ) or just go to nowhere. In the late 70's, I think I did most of the original ridge route on my motorcycle.... when it was still accessible. Thanks for this video.
What a great post I live in the top of Frazier Park, I’ve stopped there to read that marker and never knew that’s where the Lebec hotel was. Fantastic history in this post thank you.
Wonderful! I'm glad that you enjoyed it! Does it snow much where you are in the winter?
I've driven by there literally hundreds of times and knew very little about the history of Lebec. You could drive most of the old ridge route with a 4WD vehicle until a few years ago. I believe it's now blocked from vehicles but I no longer live in the area. Thank you.
Thank you so much! I was about to be a little disappointed but you DID stop at Fort Tejon! So many, many times we stopped there to take a brief rest from the road. They used to have awesome re-enactments there! Thanks guys! You always help to ease my being homesick! ♥️
Awesome👍🏻 Thank you both for coming out our way. We never knew about the hotel. Great find! Great info! Keep em coming!
Awesome, awesome. What a nice tour. My mom used to tell me about the hotel and the old ridge route. She would tell me about the horrific accidents that would occur. Thanks for taking us along this journey.
My dad would tell me stories about dead mans curve on are way to Disneyland from seattle we would stop and look it's pretty cool. Great video
Great show.....i had the day off from work..... and have been watching your channel all day ...Im a fan now !
Wow thanks! That’s really nice to hear! We appreciate your support and amazing compliments!
My Uncle was one of the Ridge Route Terrors❤️
That plant was actually a Yucca bush it is native to Lebec 😊 great video. I live right around the corner where the later cabins were built.
So cool !!! Thanks for bringing that interesting piece of history alive !!!
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching and commenting!
weird stumbling upon this. I thought of this place about a month ago. haven't thought of it in decades
as a kid visiting family in Bakersfield, we took a side trip and explored the abandoned hotel. I must have been in early teens when I was there and my first abandoned exploration of a big place. cant remember the exact year-took lots of trips to Bakersfield. probably tour it down soon after I was there
I remember how much junk and garbage there was in the place. but I also remember it was a pretty Spanish stucco building
all these decades later this is the first time I ever knew the name of the place or any history, that I remember anyway.
btw- I also remember that we weren't alone. lots of people took the trip out to go through the place!
thanks for posting this
A fun video Jeff near our SoCal home. Thank you again.
This was very interesting .. I love these types of shows, looking forward to more of your videos !
This is a great documentary piece of work, thank you for making this film!
Glad you enjoyed it! You wouldn't even know it was there! What a rich history at that place! Thanks for watching!
I adore history! So glad you tell us about what was so we can envision it and bring it alive once again. Thanks!
I’ve traveled near there many, many times going over the Grapevine.
Damn,, another great video by the greatest history channel on UA-cam
Thanks! Wow! That's quite a compliment! Thank you for being so supportive!
Very nice. Another piece of California history to be remembered.
Yes indeed! Thanks!
Not far from wear I live. Never knew about. Time for rad trip. Thank you so much. Really cool 😎