Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/420189
AGGREGATES MANAGER December 2014 44 by Bill Langer Bill Langer is a consulting research geologist who spent 41 years with the U.S. Geological Survey before starting his own business. He can be reached at Bill_Langer@hotmail.com W hen we leave Barstow, Calif., for the final leg of our virtual trip along historic Route 66, we head for the town of Oro Grande, which means Grand Gold in Spanish. Unfortunately, gold mining in the area never turned out to be all that grand. Instead, limestone, a simple industrial mineral, became the reason for Oro Grande's existence. Around the start of the 20th century, the construction boom in Southern California created a huge demand for cement. During 1908, a cement plant using the local limestone was constructed in Oro Grande to help meet this demand. Victor- ville, just a short hop down old Route 66, also became a center for cement production. With a railroad to transport its products, an abundance of cement raw materials, and a continuing demand, cement plants in Oro Grande, Victorville, as well as others in the area, became major suppliers for Los Angeles and surrounds. After touring Victorville, we take Interstate 15 south, which roughly follows old Route 66 and the railroad through Cajon Pass; a geographic consequence of California's infamous San Andreas Fault. A recent study determined that the damage from a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault would require more than 6 million tons of newly mined aggregate for emergency repairs and reconstruction. Overall, there would be a period of decreased aggregate production capabilities immediately following such an earthquake due to severe damage to some aggregate plants, disrupted supplies of cement, asphalt, water, and fuel, and from the shortage of skilled personnel due to a grieving workforce. Prudent advance preparations by the aggregates industry would facilitate a timely response following such an earthquake. Once through Cajon Pass, Route 66 followed various highways and city streets on its way to the western terminus. We take one of those city streets, Foothill Blvd. The road travels along alluvial fans, up to 1,000 feet thick, that formed along the southern margin of the San Gabriel mountains. Gold was discovered in the alluvial deposits in 1857 and was mined in the area for several decades. But like Oro Grande, the gold was replaced by another industrial mineral…aggregates. These alluvial fan deposits are home to some major sand and gravel operations in and around Irwindale, Calif. Gravel from these operations, mixed with cement from the above-mentioned plants, provided concrete for many of the buildings and roads in the Los Angeles area, as well as for the Santa Monica Pier, our final destination. In the early 20th century, the city of Santa Monica constructed the 1,600-foot-long Santa Monica Pier. The pier was made of concrete and was billed as being indestructible. However, by 1919, the concrete pilings had deteriorated to the point that they had to be replaced with creosote-soaked wooden pilings. The pier had its ups and downs. It originally served as a conduit to transport treated sewage out into the ocean. It was a fishing pier, amusement park, and dance hall. The pier fell into disrepair, was destroyed by storms, and was rebuilt a number of times. The most recent reconstruction took place in the late 1980s, this time with modern concrete pilings. The pier has become increasingly popular, offering something for everyone — from thrill rides to a peaceful walk over the ocean waves. And, for us, the Santa Monica Pier marks the official end of Route 66. I hope you enjoyed the ride. AM From towns built around the limestone and aggregate industries to the Santa Monica Pier's concrete pilings, the journey comes to a close. THE END OF THE ROAD Route 66: Cement plant in Victorville, circa 1943.