"C" Block California's Right of Way Monument

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"C" Block

California's Right of Way Markers

Used on state routes from 1914 to 1934

This "C" Block Monument was placed along old US 66 "Old National Trails Highway" near Bagdad, California.

"C" Block comes with different "C" s and colors

"C" Blocks were placed along state routes from 1914 to 1934. These concrete monuments, with a capital C on top defined right of way boundary lines along state routes. They were necessary due to faulty "sloppy" surveying records that were compiled when land had less value, giving boundary lines very little meaning. Originally, landmarks such as buildings, trees, rocks, mountains, roads, etc. were used as boundary markers. However, many of these were not permanent and often either disappear or change position or disappeared. Something had to be done, so in 1914 the California Highway Commission carefully surveyed and placed these markers "monuments" along the side of the roadway at each and every angle or curve point, and at fixed intervals on straight sections.*

The monuments projected six inches " sometimes higher" above the surface of the ground. They are made of concrete six inches square and 3 1/2 feet tall, including the below ground part. The edges of the upper portions are beveled to present a neat appearance, and a letter "C" is embossed on one side for identification. There is a copper plug on the top center that marks the exact point of the angle.

		To the left you will find a blueprint of a C Block. In this blueprint you will see measurements for height, width, how long the bevel was, also exactly how long the copper wire was, along with exactly where and how tall the letter C was. Special thanks to Jill Livingston for the blueprint
	Above: Is a photo of a C Block on the Ridge Route US-99 in Los Angeles County. It is above a beauitful streach of twin slab two lane concrete. Right along side I-5 near the town of Gorman

Over the decades since their placement, the monuments have weathered differently. Some look the same as they did when they were placed while others have not. This has been the result of climatic conditions, " forces of " nature, and highway construction have either destroyed, or significantly damaged these monuments of highway trailblazing.

Anyone interested in following a older alignment, can use the "C" blocks like following a trail of bread crumbs. Finding them takes a certain amount of detective work, but once you find your first one, the rest seems to come right into view.

Single slab concrete roadways go along with the "C Blocks" with their elevated curves, contractors stamps, and many beautiful old bridges. Be very careful though! Some of these older alignments cross through private property, not owned by the state, so proceed with caution!

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Photo taken along US 6 near the California Border

"N" Block
Cousin to California's "C" Block for marking right-of-way along older alignments in Nevada

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Special Thanks to Casey Cooper, Mike Ballard, Jill Livingston for there contributions on this page

Highway markings " A look into curbing, roadway striping, railing plus many other idems"

If you have any comments or suggestions. Or have some additional information & or additional Photo's for this page.

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