For a book with great old photos and local history, John Hockaday has published another book. This one is a hardcover, it has 480 pages and is loaded with Cajon Pass history. The title is Trails and Tales of the Cajon Pass: From Indian Footpath to Modern Highway.
It has a little about geology, moves on to Indians (footpaths), then the trappers, the first wheeled vehicle through Cajon Pass, homesteaders, different communities like Devore and Kenwood, the first car and grixxly bears, a couple of murders and so forth. There is some interesting stuff on the CCC camp in the pass during the 1930s (including a copy of one of their 4 page newletters) and a section on the development of the roads showing the various types of roadbuilding equipment including the early scrapers that were pulled by mules. There are photos of the 1938 flood and lots of train stuff including depots, maps and stories. My favorite part is the remembrances of old timers in their own words.The book has at least 200 pictures, maps and illustrations in it.
John Robinson and Cliff Walker both reviewed the book and commented on how good it is in the front of the book.
Check it out at BuckthornPublishing.com then go to orders.
