Adventures in history: The old Redwood Stage Road of Oregon and California

The Old Redwood Stage Road Guide

The historic road between Kerbyville and Crescent City

Introduction

If you lived in southwest Oregon in the early 1900s and wanted to go to the beach, the route you followed consisted of following three historic wagon and stagecoach roads constructed between 1856 and 1887. This route went through the mining town of Waldo and climbed over Oregon Mountain where it followed the contour of the mountains to Gasquet and then along the Smith River and through the redwood forest to Crescent City. The total distance from Kerbyville to Crescent City on this road was about 60 miles.

The Old Redwood Stage Road became obsolete when Highway 199 was constructed in 1922. However, this historic route is still maintained in fair-good condition and offers an interesting backcountry drive for those who like to get off the beaten path and enjoy scenery as it may have appeared to riders on stagecoaches and horse-drawn freight wagons in the 1880s. All but about ten miles of the original road can be followed from Kerbyville to Crescent City.

Two versions

This guide is divided into six sections with each section having two versions. One version is for those who are traveling form California toward Oregon and the other for those traveling in the other direction. The orange block in the upper left tells you the travel direction for the guide you are currently viewing. The tan bar in the upper right provides a link that will switch you to the other direction. The "NEXT" button at the bottom of each page will take you sequentially to the next section for which ever direction you are traveling.

Preparing for the trip

The road log will help you find features along the way but it is not intended to take the place of a topographical map or Forest Service map. Always carry a map of the area to be certain to know your location in case you encounter an emergency and need to find the quickest route back to town.

The total distance of this tour is about 60 miles with about half being on gravel surfaced roads. High clearance is recommended although people with experience driving in the backcountry may have no trouble going over this route with a two-wheel drive vehicle that has moderate clearance. Pictures of the road can be found in each of the following sections so the reader can get an idea of what the road surface looks like and judge whether or not they want to take their car over this route. Assure your car has tires that are suitable for driving over rough, gravel roads.

The route will put you in locations that may be up to 10 miles from the nearest help. It is best to carry emergency supplies such as extra water and a warm jacket. A day pack is recommended if you need to carry water. I have not had the opportunity to try cell phone reception along this route but it would not hurt to make certain your cell phone battery is charged. Kerbyville, Oregon as it may have appeared around 1920. This picture looks north on the old Redwood Highway, Highway 199. Eight Dollar Mountain can be seen in the background.

The last opportunity for getting gas on the route is the O'Brien Store.

Beginning the Tour

The tour begins in the historic town of Kerbyville at the intersection of Sixth Street and Highway 199. In the picture to the right, the car in the foreground left is parked on Sixth Street next to the two-story Masonic Lodge.

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...