ROUTE 6 RECEIVES STATE'S THANKS NATIONAL HIGHWAY RUNS THROUGH A.V.

Byline: JIM SKEEN

Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Add the state of California to the list of government entities recognizing historic Route 6, a transcontinental route that passes through the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys.

The Legislature passed a resolution, authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, recognizing the route's role in the development of the Golden State. The recognition is being sought by civic leaders hoping to promote the economic development and cultural preservation of cities, towns and rural communities along the route.

"The recognition of this highway is important to the development of California," said Runner, R-Lancaster. "I encourage Californians to take a drive along U.S. Highway Route 6 and experience a piece of California's history."

U.S. Route 6 stretches 3,650 miles -- from Long Beach to Provincetown, Mass. -- making it the nation's longest, continuous highway.

Portions of the route run along Sierra Highway from Santa Clarita through the Antelope Valley.

California joins Pennsylvania in officially recognizing the historical significance of this route, which served as the main street of many cities and towns.

Nebraska and Connecticut are also working to recognize the historical significance of U.S. Highway 6, Runner said.

The effort to recognize the route actually began as a class project in 2000, when three high school students in Washington state asked a neighbor, Russ Lombard, for a project idea. He suggested the route, which he had traveled as a youngster in Pasadena.

The project grew into the U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association, for which Lombard serves as president.

Former Lancaster Mayor Fred Hann serves as the association's executive director for California.

Hann's interest in traveling the nation's historic routes kept leading him to references to Route 6 and to the U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association.

Hann asked Runner to author the state resolution.

"I feel good about it," Hann said of the state Legislature's recognition. "It's a milestone for the program."

At Hann's urging, the cities of Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster have all placed signs noting the historic route. Hann said Los Angeles County is looking at placing signs on its portions of the route and hopes to be able to persuade Kern County officials to follow suit.

Hann, a retired firefighter, is trying to build interest in the old route to draw tourists and motorists in much the same way Route 66 has become an attraction.

The route has been known by many names over the years, including the Roosevelt Highway, after President Theodore Roosevelt, and the Midland Trail Roadway. Its official title is the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, named after an organization of Union Civil War veterans.

According to the association, the highway began in the 1920s as a short route between Provincetown and Brewster, N.Y. Over the years, it was extended westward, eventually ending in Long Beach.

james.skeen@dailynews

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