arts & Education
MAKING THE GRADE
History of the Cuesta Pass BY CAMILLE DEVAUL AND THE PASO ROBLES AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
over the Cuesta, eight miles from San Luis Obispo. However, the new road came with new challenges plaguing travelers. Horse teams disappeared at full speed down the slope, turning over wagons. And with Wells Fargo Express boxes being transported on the route, the Cuesta Pass became a hunting ground for stage robbers. Passengers were encouraged to leave their valuables at home. Then the world entered the 20th century, and a new era brought new challenges. As “horseless carriages” became more popular, it became clear a new road was needed over the Cuesta Grade. In 1912, Cuesta Road became part of the California State Highway System. Two years later, the California State Highway Division or well over 100 years, the Cuesta Pass has been a vital route switched Cuesta Road from the western side of the canyon to the linking the Northern and Southern regions of San Luis Obispo eastern slope. By 1915, a two-lane concrete surface roadway winded County. We know it now as the Cuesta Grade, just a section of up the grade. one of the busiest highways in California. But, what many don’t know is the valley of the Cuesta Grade holds at least two other roads once This new section of Highway #2 was the pride of the county. In used by travelers long ago. 1922, a contract was awarded for paving, reshaping the road’s surface and curves. The new concrete 20-foot wide road had two lanes with Climbing through the center of the valley was the Old Cuesta Road. reinforced concrete curbs. There was no shoulder or divider stripe but Being one of the earliest roads, it was a broad trail used by hundreds was regarded as “a fine example of mountain highway construction,” of horses, pack animals, and cattle being driven north to supply the according to a 1924 issue of California Highways Magazine. gold-mining regions. By 1928, the Cuesta Grade became part of the federal intrastate Due to the rougher terrain on the Cuesta, many early travelers avoid- road system and received its new number, 101. ed this route and used flatter, more established routes through the Central Valley. Yet, a horse stage wagon did make the weekly ascent Despite adding a fine coat of cement, the Cuesta Grade was again up the Cuesta to carry mail between San Luis Obispo and Monte- determined a hazard by the 1930s. Automobiles were going faster, and rey. Passengers in this wagon would often have to assist the stage by drivers were attempting to pass slower-moving traffic on dangerous pushing it up the steep slope or by holding its sides to keep it from curves. In 1936, one particular curve just north of the SLO city limits overturning on hillsides. In rainy weather, passengers would help the was the site of a collision between a truck and a northbound Greyhound driver by digging the wagon out of the mud. Coaches often flipped bus. Three people were killed, and 27 were injured. over on the precarious turns of the road, spilling passengers, baggage, and freight. Trucks were hauling products by 1938 and had replaced freight wagons. Greyhound buses replaced the wooden stages. The increase In 1872, a Cuesta toll road was proposed, and by 1876 “The Stage- in traffic led to doubling traffic lanes to four at the cost of $1,050. coach Road” was born. Bonds of $20,000 were issued to construct a wagon and stagecoach road up the canyon to replace the center crossing, The newly improved Cuesta Road was celebrated with banquets, which was proving to be too steep and dangerous. The new road was speeches, and finally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was stated by Disbuilt along the wooded west side of the canyon and was expected to trict Engineer Lester Gibson that “modern engineering has at last be safer than the east side. conquered the Cuesta. The last traffic bottleneck has been eliminated from the main highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.” Contractors J. Lemon and W. Wing were hired to build a 15-foot wide road for $11,100. Once the new road was completed, a buggy The El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society and Museum are ride to the top of the Cuesta Pass became a doable day’s outing. In honored to be located in the historic Carnegie Library at the center 1877 the Bean Brothers built a two-story hotel, the Eight Mile House, of City Park. To learn more, visit pasorobleshistorymuseum.org.
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16 | may 2022
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Central Coast Journal
4/19/22 9:09 PM
