Dating back to the early 20th century, the El Camino Real Bell marks a route of immense historical importance. These bells guide you along what was once believed to be El Camino Real. It is Spanish for Royal Highway or King’s Highway.
El Camino Real stretched an impressive 700 miles. It connected the 21 California missions from San Diego to Sonoma. Father Junípero Serra founded these missions and they were spaced a day’s journey apart on horseback.
Civic groups feared that progress would erase this historic road. They successfully campaigned to have the state declare it a historic road. They marked the original route with the now legendary El Camino Real Bell. The bells first appeared in the early 1900s. The Camino Real Association paid for their erection. These guidepost bells marked the road and many still stand today.
America’s First Woman Bell Maker, Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes designed and produced the first bells. The initial El Camino Real Bell was placed in front of the Plaza Church in Los Angeles in 1906. Production of the bells continued largely into the 1920s.
Mrs. Forbes founded the California Bell Company in 1914. She not only made full-size bells. She also produced miniatures as souvenirs. These were popular with missions and bell collectors worldwide.
Look closely at the El Camino Real Bell. You will see the dates 1769 and 1906. The year 1769 marks the founding of the first mission in San Diego. The year 1906 marks the placement of the first bell in Los Angeles.
Paradise Point Resort on San Diego’s Mission Bay boasts the largest collection of El Camino Real Bells. Mrs. Forbes produced these bells. They came from a lot of 50 bells delivered to San Diego in 1914. It is estimated that over 20 original 1914 bells are on the hotel property.
While you are here consider having lunch at Paradise Point. Afterward, take a stroll to view over 20 pieces of California’s Original Heritage Marker. Keep in mind that the original bell installers made no provision for maintenance.
The El Camino Real Association ceased to be functional by 1926. The bells began to fall into disrepair. Some were stolen or removed due to damage or construction. The California State Automobile Association and the Automobile Club of Southern California maintained and replaced bells from 1926 to 1931. The bells served as vital markers for California motorists. During this period the bells also began being painted in their iconic green color. In 1933, the state took over responsibility for maintaining the dwindling number of remaining bells.
Today, there are approximately 585 bells marking the old highway and its branches. The bells stretch from San Diego County to Sonoma County.