The Richfield Beacon Station
on Siskiyou Summit

Photo courtesy of Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, Oregon.

This is what it looked like at the Siskiyou Summit on the California/Oregon border in the 1930s. The view is looking to the north, on this the highest point of elevation (4511') along what used to be US99.

On the left, the Summit Ranch Lodge predated the Beacon station by at least a decade. A major rebuilding of Highway 99 in 1940 through the summit area resulted in a deep road cut. So much material was taken out that the actual high point of the highway was in a new location a short distance to the south, and the elevation of the mountain pass had been decreased by 47'.

Exactly when the Beacon station disappeared is still under investigation. A "new" Siskiyou Summit Cafe (including a gas station and cabins) was built (in the 50s?) and did a lively business until I-5 was completed on an all-new alignment in the mid-60s.