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Back in the late 50's, or at least before Interstate 5 was constructed, one would see road signs designating roads in the Willamette Valley as being a part of the "Bee Line Route", a North/South alternative to using Highway 99, which prior to Interstate five was incredibly crowded and slow moving, and mostly two lane. Accidents could tie things up for hours, in both ways.

In any case, I used to remember these signs (which had a cartoon bee on them) along the roads when I was a child, and remember hearing that it was "assembled" from existing roads along the Eastern side of the valley as an alternative to Highway 99. The idea being to reduce congestion on the overburdened highways

Fast forward to the age of the internet, and I thought I'd try to find some mention of it, but it seems to have vanished without a trace: I can find not a single mention of this anywhere.

Is there anyone out there who knows anything about this, or has any suggestions as to where I might look.

 

Thanks!


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fauxsuper,

 

US 97 via Bend was known as the California Banff Bee Line in auto trail days. Old US 99 (Pacific Highway) was indeed busy and I suppose north south travelers could have used the California Banff Bee Line as an alternative. I know my family did in the 1950's.

 

The trail blaze was white, blue, white with CB in black.. If you want more info (map, turn by turn directions, let me know!! I can probably go back as far as 100 years. And thanks for your interest and question!!

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

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  • 2 weeks later...

The Bee Line route I'm referring to was West of the cascades and an alternative to using Highway 99. It roughly followed the roads shown near the red line I've drawn on the map. South of Lebanon, I'm a little less sure of it's route, but I remember signs on a road leading to Brownsville.....
Bee-Line.jpg


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Your post was clear, and I recognized that you were thinking of routes on the west side of the cascades, and much later than the auto trail era. I used your post to identify the only broadly identified Bee Line route in Oregon from the period of the auto trails. It was an alternate to 99 (I know from experience), but obviously not located in the valley.

 

Of course terms like “Beeline,” “Bee Line,” or “B-Line” were frequently applied to roads for obvious reasons. I haven't found any reference to a beeline named road close to US99 in Oregon. However I have posted below Oregon roads maps from 1952 and 1964 (pre and post interstate) and a close inspection will suggest there is a combination of state and county roads that, when taken together, form a route generally parallel to US99, and which broadly conform to your red line.

 

It certainly is conceivable that enterprising folks in Lebanon Scio, Stayton, and Silverton (etc.) figured they could divert some business their way with a “beeline” designation, posted as you suggest. One can even envision a route all the way from Springfield (northbound, see 1952 map) , bypassing congestion in Eugene and Salem. So far, though, I have not found any direct reference to the route. I think I might jest that if it didn't exist, it should have!!

 

Perhaps someone will find a brochure, or even a RPPC with the beeline on it. Since almost all my materials precede 1950, I will probably not be the one....but good luck!

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

 

mapbeeline00.jpg

 

 

mapbeeline200.jpg

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