El Camino Real Bells

El Camino Real Bells have marked the original route of El Camino Real from San Diego to Sonoma in California since the early part of the last century. El Camino Real, the Royal Highway or King's Highway, closely follows Highway 101 in California and was the first roadway in the state, built by the Spanish during the early mission days. The bells were first erected and paid for by the Camino Real Association in the early 1900s, and many of these guidepost bells are still standing today. Rancho Cucamonga's last remaining original El Camino Real Bell was restored and relocated to a prominent and protected location. Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga originally had two authentic bells, but the one next to Thomas Winery at Vineyard and Foothill was lost during construction of a shopping center. The second bell had originally stood in front of the Meyer and Lawrence Garage at the northeast corner of Etiwanda and Foothill, was saved after vandalism by Duane Meyer and Monte Lawrence, later donated to the City by Meyer's wife with the help of Frank and Mary Vecchio, and remains City property while the Route 66 Project Homeowner's Association has accepted its maintenance.

Rancho Cucamonga, California · United States