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Blue Star Memorial Highways

Sign for the Blue Star Memorial Highway

A Blue Star Memorial Signpost Is Pictured Above

Introduction

After World War II, a nationwide movement was started to pay tribute to the nation's armed forces, by designating various State and national routes as "Blue Star Memorial Highways." In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. approved the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker program. California Garden Clubs, Inc. accepted the program in 1947, when the California Legislature designated Highway 40 (now Route 80) and Highway 99.

Caltrans will cooperate with the California Garden Clubs, Inc. in erecting and maintaining appropriate memorial markers on highways the California Legislature has designated as Blue Star Memorial Highways. Also, Legislative Affairs will assist the California Garden Club, Inc., with draft legislative resolutions, if requested. 

Responsibilities

  • Headquarters

The Landscape Architecture Program is responsible for coordinating the Blue Star Memorial Highway program. The Transportation System Information Program, Office of Highway System Engineering, maintains a log of designated highway segments titled "2015 Named Freeways, Highways, Structures and Other Appurtenances in California."

  • Districts

The district is responsible for assuring that the location of a proposed marker is within a designated segment of highway, and for approving the actual site.

The district will assume the administrative costs associated with the project, including processing permits and, if required, staff assistance and traffic controls.

An encroachment permit is required. However, because these markers designate memorial highways authorized by Legislative resolutions, the district will not charge a permit fee.

  • Permittee

Highways are designated as Blue Star Memorial Highways by the California Legislature. It is the responsibility of the California Garden Clubs, Inc. to initiate and sponsor Legislative resolutions through their local legislators.

The permittee is responsible for the cost of all labor and materials involved in providing and installing the marker, as well as any modifications required to the facilities to accommodate the marker.

If a marker is vandalized or accidentally damaged, the permittee is responsible for its restoration, replacement or removal.

Guidelines

  • Location of Markers

Markers will only be erected on highway segments that the Legislature has designated as Blue Star Memorial Highways.

On designated highway segments with safety roadside rest areas, markers should be placed in rest areas.

On designated highway segments without rest areas, markers will be placed at vista points, historical sites, or other appropriate areas approved by the district.

The district will work with the California Garden Clubs, Inc. in identifying an appropriate site, determining if planting is desirable, and to coordinate the project. Other than a marker, features such as paving, benches or signs, will not be permitted.

Placement of markers must consider the effect of the proposed marker on routine roadside maintenance activities, traffic flow and the maintainability of the marker without interference to traffic.

  • Maintenance

The district will perform minor maintenance activities associated with the markers, such as litter pickup and other maintenance that is normally associated with the involved facility or right of way.

Caltrans will not be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the marker. If a marker is vandalized or accidentally damaged, the district will consult with the permittee concerning its restoration, replacement, or removal.

  • Dedication Ceremony

The California Garden Clubs, Inc. normally conduct a dedication ceremony at the site after a marker has been erected. A representative from the district should attend this ceremony to accept the marker.

Policy

Blue Star Memorial policy is described in Chapter 29 of the Caltrans Project Development Procedures Manual (PDPM). 

  • Click here to read about Blue Star Memorials in PDPM Chapter 29 (PDF)

Locations

Locations of designated Blue Star Memorial Highways in California include:

  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 1 : The portion of Route 1 between Dana Point in Orange County and Leggett in Mendocino County is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Inc. approved the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker program. California Garden Clubs. Inc. accepted the program in 1947, when the California Legislature designated Highway 40 (now Route 80) and Highway 99 (now Route 5 and several other routes). The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites. and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation's armed forces. Several clubs within California Garden Clubs wish to erect these markers along this section of Route 1.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 101 : Route 101 from Los Angeles to the Oregon border is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Humboldt District of California Garden Clubs, Inc. as a living tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 140 : Route 140 from 1-5 near Gustine to Yosemite National Park is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Cathey's Valley Garden Club in cooperation with the Mariposa County Parks and Recreation Department. with a marker to be placed in Cathey's Valley County Park. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project. which is sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites, and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 254 : Route 254 in Humboldt County is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Southern Humboldt Garden Club, Inc. and the California Garden Clubs, Inc. as a tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 280 : Route 280 from Third Street in San Francisco to 1-680 in San Jose is designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Bay Ocean District of California Garden Clubs, Inc., which will erect a marker at the state roadside rest stop on Route 280, located between the Hayne Road overpass and the Crystal Springs Road overpass, as a tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 36 : Route 36, between Alton in Humboldt County and Susanville in Lassen County, is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Plumas Lassen District of California Garden Clubs. Inc. as a living tribute to the men and women of the Nation's armed forces, with a marker to be placed at the Almanor Roadside Rest Stop.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 395 : Route 395 in its entirety, from Route 15 near Cajon Pass to the Oregon State Line, is designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Oasis Garden Club of Indian Wells Valley and the California Garden Clubs, Inc. as a living tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces, with a marker to be placed at the Coso Rest Stop by the Oasis Garden Club.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 40 : Route 40 between Route 15 in Barstow and the Arizona State Line is designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Desert Empire District of Upper Mojave Desert and the California Garden Clubs, Inc. as a living tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces, and with markers to be placed at the Fenner and Desert Oasis (Newberry) Rest Stops.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 58 : Route 58, from Route 101 in Santa Margarita to 1-15 in Barstow. is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project, Which is sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc .. is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites. and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 62 : Route 62 from 1-10 in Riverside County to Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino County, is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project, Which is sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc .. is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points. historical sites, and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all Who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation's armed forces. Several clubs within California Garden Clubs wish to erect these markers along this section of Route 62.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 680 : Route 680 between the Contra Costa/Alameda county line and the Contra Costa/Solano county line is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Bay Bridges District of California Garden Clubs, Inc. as a tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 70 : Route 70 between Marysville in Yuba County and Hallelujah Junction in Lassen County is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The Kelly Ridge Garden Club of California Garden Clubs, Inc .. wishes to erect a marker on Route 70 at the roadside rest stop by the Feather River in Belden to pay tribute to all Who have served, are serving. or will serve in the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 8 : Route 8 (what was formerly U.S. Highway Route 80) from San Diego to the Arizona State Line is a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project. which is sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc .. is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites, and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those Who will serve in the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 89 : Route 89 from Route 395 near Topaz in Mono County to 1-5 in Siskiyou County is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The designation is sponsored by the Mccloud Garden Club, Inc .. of Mccloud and the California Garden Clubs, Inc .. as a tribute to the men and women of the nation's armed forces.
  • Blue Star Memorial Highway, Route 97 : Route 97 from Weed to the Oregon State Line is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project. which is sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites. and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation's armed forces.