For several months I have been asked to write about the early comings-and-goings-on with the Cajon Pass. As people travel south on the I15 in unhappy anticipation of fighting traffic to go to work, or heading north for fun, I wonder if any of them ever think what would happened if that valley of canyons and ribbon of highway never existed. It is the hub of travel and commerice that has been around for many, many centuries. There are two books that is strongly recommended that detailed very nicely Cajon Pass' beginnings and the life that was lived there.
The first book is; Images of America The Cajon Pass; Written by local writer Alice Eby Hall, and published in 2009 by Arcadia Publishing...ISB number 978-07385-7075-4. This book contained narrative and rare photos of the shaping of Cajon Pass; The San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society, Victor Valley Museum and the Mojave Historical Society cooperated with history-minded individuals to furnish photographs to Alice Eby Hall. It's available at Costco, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com...and of course Mom Country Store in Devore., where the author lived for over sixty years.
Another marvelous book was written by local author and historian Hockaday. A researcher of Cajon pass for over 40 years, he can show you the routes when there were no roads. When Jefferson Hunt's expedition came through, it was following Indian footpaths. john gives record in his writings up to present day. This book is called From Indian Footpath to Modern Highway and can be purchased through the below link.
http://www.buckthornpublishing.com/orders.htmlMr. Hockaday also wrote about the famous Camp Cajon, which was destroyed in the 1938 flood.
This book is called The Man Who Built Camp Cajon;
Camp Cajon was one of the most important developments on the Cajon Pass section of Route 66. William Bristol was pioneer with vision, a mission, and a great sense of humor. He also built the famous Acorn Lodge in Wrightwood. this book can also be purchased over the same link.
