Carmel Magazine

previously). "Why not," he thought, "build a road linking the Monterey Peninsula with the Big Sur coast?" His motivation was twofold and altruistic. In her book, "Big Sur, A Wild Coast and Lonely", Rosalind Sharpe Wall wrote: "He (Dr. Roberts) felt that a highway would not only make life eas- ier for the inhabitants of the region, especially those around Lucia, but would make this scenic landscape accessible to everyone. As it was, no one knew its beauty save those who lived there. It belonged, he felt, to the state, the nation, the world." Roberts walked the route from Carmel to San Luis Obispo in five days, mapping a route and return- ing convinced that such a road could be built. He severely underestimated its cost at $50,000— the final cost hovered near $9 million. The Senator The doctor found a powerful ally in State Senator Elmer Rigdon (and member of the Senate Committee on Roads and Highways) of Cambria, who saw the economic benefits of such a road to his constituents. After the citizens of the Golden State approved a bond issue, construction began in 1922. It would take 12 years to build a passable road through this treacherous terrain and finally, on Sept. 18, 1934, workers working toward each other from the north and south met. A few official cars, led by a proud Lester Gibson, the engineer who led the road's initial survey team, drove the entire distance from San Simeon to Carmel. Much of the road was still under construction and was only one lane wide in places. It wasn't until 1937 that Governor Frank Merriam ceremoniously bulldozed a final boulder and declared the road officially open. California Highways and Public Works gushed: "The work on the 93 miles between Carmel and San Simeon has present- ed one of the most noteworthy pieces of high- way engineering accomplished on the West Coast in recent years and has given to the traveling public a modern ocean shore highway of unparalleled beauty with superb views of the Pacific." Superb indeed. A drive south along Highway 1 on a sunny afternoon is some- thing even the most jaded Peninsula local can't take for granted. It's one of the few places where getting stuck behind a poky VW Microbus or motorhome is no cause for concern—just a handy excuse to slow down and enjoy the view. And for that, we can thank Dr. Roberts, Senator Ridgon and the hapless SS Los Angeles. 108 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 4 PARTICULAR ABOUT PRINT ON PAPER THE CROSSROADS CARMEL www.riverhousebookscarmel.com This inspiring marvel of early-20th century engineering technology draws 21st century tourists in ever-increasing numbers.

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