My grandfather Charles A. Derrer, worked on building the plank road and old U.S 80 through the Laguna mountains. Every time I see the old pieces of the highway I feel very proud. He built many streets and bridges (Washington street bridge) in San Diego and Long Beach. He worked for O. U. Miracle paving and was the general superintendent for V. R. Dennis Paving. He is the one I get my skills from. I have worked in construction for over 35 years.
I can’t even imagine the conditions the men worked in building that road no less the hutzpah of the drivers to make the trip along that it. Amazing history. Thanks Mason.
In the '80s, when I was in my twenties, I was a fumigator for a large pest and termite company in San Diego. I was at 3-7 houses daily and met many interesting people. I met a few people who had old planks from this road. They had tire grooves and were highly weathered.
I collect road maps and travel books from c. 1890-1940. My dad had to drive from hwy 80/ San Diego to Alamogordo NM and I was 6 when I saw these odd boards on the sand dunes, I asked my dad and he said it was the plank highway. I was amazed. The Burma Shave signs were fun. And it was so hot. Had a swamp cooler on the door but it did almost nothing. And there was a canvas bag in front of the radiator. That was rather warm water. And to cap it off, I had to pee into a bottle or thru the drain plug in the floor of dad's 1950's Chevy Delux. I have too many memories. But that's good, proves I'm still alive. as a sidebar, where the huge San Diego football stadium is on 8 was a diary farm. on the right side of 8/80 was a little ride-a-pony and other amusememnts for kids.
It almost seems like without a lot more labor they could have graded the sand smooth and pulverized in lime, pebbles and what ever else ingredients are used (sand of course) to make cement tilled it in and created a somewhat firm surface of cement/sand mixed. Would not have been hard as rock but most definitely a firm surface. But, who am I. I’m just a salesman.
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My grandfather Charles A. Derrer, worked on building the plank road and old U.S 80 through the Laguna mountains. Every time I see the old pieces of the highway I feel very proud. He built many streets and bridges (Washington street bridge) in San Diego and Long Beach. He worked for O. U. Miracle paving and was the general superintendent for V. R. Dennis Paving. He is the one I get my skills from. I have worked in construction for over 35 years.
Wow. Thanks for sharing!
I would love a longer video of this but there wasn't much for video recording equipment when the road was built. Haha
Awesome video as always!
Thanks!
Wow never heard of this!
Pretty cool how you find all of this interesting history
Glad you like it! Appreciate you watching since the beginning!
These vids are great man. Keep the content coming and the subs will show up. This comment is evidence that I was an early supporter.
Apreciate it! Sub 500 Club
Thank you for your efforts!
👌🤔🖖
I can’t even imagine the conditions the men worked in building that road no less the hutzpah of the drivers to make the trip along that it. Amazing history. Thanks Mason.
Thanks for all of your support! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. It makes it a lot easier to go out and make more with people like you.
In the '80s, when I was in my twenties, I was a fumigator for a large pest and termite company in San Diego. I was at 3-7 houses daily and met many interesting people. I met a few people who had old planks from this road. They had tire grooves and were highly weathered.
I collect road maps and travel books from c. 1890-1940. My dad had to drive from hwy 80/ San Diego to Alamogordo NM and I was 6 when I saw these odd boards on the sand dunes, I asked my dad and he said it was the plank highway. I was amazed. The Burma Shave signs were fun. And it was so hot. Had a swamp cooler on the door but it did almost nothing. And there was a canvas bag in front of the radiator. That was rather warm water. And to cap it off, I had to pee into a bottle or thru the drain plug in the floor of dad's 1950's Chevy Delux. I have too many memories. But that's good, proves I'm still alive. as a sidebar, where the huge San Diego football stadium is on 8 was a diary farm. on the right side of 8/80 was a little ride-a-pony and other amusememnts for kids.
That's quite the story! Thanks for sharing with us
I've said this before, but man, all your videos are great
I appreciate that!
It almost seems like without a lot more labor they could have graded the sand smooth and pulverized in lime, pebbles and what ever else ingredients are used (sand of course) to make cement tilled it in and created a somewhat firm surface of cement/sand mixed. Would not have been hard as rock but most definitely a firm surface. But, who am I. I’m just a salesman.