Wandering Lizard
Northeastern California

In the early years of the twentieth century California began improving its road system. In 1912 Highway 99 was extended along the Upper Sacramento River canyon, through Dunsmuir and on north. The town was now in a position to benefit from both rail and road traffic. By 1920 the railroad employed close to 2,000 men at their extensive Dunsmuir yards and the population of the town exceeded 3,000. In succeeding years the transportation industry continued to evolve and the importance of railroads gave way to long haul trucking and air transport. In 1961 Interstate Highway 5 bypassed Dunsmuir's commercial district and Dunsmuir's economic base was further eroded.