Mountain man/pioneer/merchant John Brown made improvements to an old pack trail in 1861. He then started charging a toll for use of the road. The improvements were sorely needed, because travel through the Cajon Pass-with its rocky terrain and hostile Indians-was treacherous indeed.
The existence of the toll road itself was "rocky." Allegations of poor maintenance and legal challenges regarding his right to charge tolls at all, plagued John Brown until he sold the rights to run the toll road in 1878.
However, the toll road charter that was granted by the County expired in October, 1882. With the expiration of the charter, the road became a public thoroughfare.
Much of the old road became Route 66. However, some sections of the original toll road remain. Freight-wagon traffic has long since given way to off-road recreational traffic.
Here are some photographs that I took, during a visit to the old toll road, last weekend.
Looking southward, toward Crowder Canyon.
The author's Jeep Cherokee on the old road-the camera is pointed north east.
The trail entrance is near the site of the old Summit Inn.
This image was taken about 1 year ago, and it illustrates how
the road could have made the steep descent into Crowder
Canyon much easier.
February, 2017, after recent rains. Notice the condition of the road. Although it was still easily negotiated with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, imagine how it must have been with a horse or mule-driven wagon. Given the accusations of poor maintenance that were leveled against John Brown, the road was likely in much worse shape during the toll-road days.
Here's what travelers through the Cajon Pass faced, with no road. I was standing alongside the old toll road, when I took this photograph.
The 15 Freeway, as seen from the old toll road.
