California Historic El Camino Real freeway sign

Description

El Camino Real, the Royal Road, was a pre-automobile trail established in what is now California in the mid-18th century. The road connected the 21 missions located from San Diego to San Francisco, territory which was, at the time, controlled by Spain. The trail continued to be an important transportation corridor as California was turned over to Mexico and then the United States. In 1906, as the automobile began to travel El Camino Real, the road was marked with 450 bells, each hung from a pole shaped like a shepherd’s crook. Later, maintenance of these bells became the responsibility of the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC). Over time, the bells deteriorated and then disappeared. In 2005, Caltrans revived the practice of posting the bells, casting 555 of them using the original 1906 molds. Each of these bells was accompanied by a brown sign reading “Historic El Camino Real”.

Our Historic El Camino Real sign is a faithful replica of the signs attached to each bell along the highway. We’ve used the exact Caltrans standards to make our sign as close to the originals as possible. You won’t find signs like these on the collector’s market very often. The majority that have ever been posted are still in service along California’s highways. With our replica, you can get the sign you want without the risk of legal trouble, or chasing down a rare find on some auction site.

Our Historic El Camino Real sign is printed on heavy-duty 14-gauge steel in the United States. It has a glossy, durable coating that allows it to stand up to the elements outdoors, and it is non-reflective, allowing it to blend in with your decor indoors as well. Convenient pre-drilled mounting holes make it easy to install anywhere. We make this sign in the following sizes:

• 21 in. × 7 in.
• 30 in. × 10 in.
• 45 in. × 15 in.
• 81 in. × 27 in. (For easier shipping and installation, this size will be split across two panels.)

We can make just about any road sign, from anywhere in the world, not just California! Get a route marker for your favorite Interstate, US, or state highway. Or maybe you’d like a city limit, state welcome, or directional sign? No matter what it is, contact Jake to get started on your custom order!