Community Corner

Name For New Bridge Taps Beaumont's Past And Future

Suggestions from the public included naming the span for Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza. Anticipating the city's 100th birthday in 2012, Beaumont's elected leaders chose the name "Centennial Memorial Bridge."

Editor's Note, May 9, 2011: The name of ranch owner Lewis Haskell was misspelled in a previous version of this story. Dianne Haskell Ecker, who was raised on the ranch, pointed out the error.

Nearly 200 names were suggested for the new $12 million bridge nearing completion in San Timoteo Canyon, a Beaumont spokeswoman said Thursday.

Suggestions included naming the span for Juan Bautista de Anza, the Spanish explorer who opened an overland route from Mexico to California, "The Bridge to Happiness," and "Cut'em off at the Pass Bridge," according to city spokeswoman Ashley Thompson.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anticipating the city's 100th birthday in 2012, the Beaumont council on Tuesday decided to call the new span "Centennial Memorial Bridge."

Plaques honoring individuals from Beaumont's recent and distant past will eventually be installed on the bridge. According to Thompson, the first five honorees will be

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

- Ray. T. Samson, a former Beaumont mayor, constable and fire chief.

- Lewis Haskell, whose family owned a San Timoteo Canyon ranch that employed many local workers.

- Donald B. Houston, a former Beaumont mayor, city treasurer, library trustee, and member of a pioneer family that helped settle San Timoteo Canyon.

- George Anhalt, a sheriff's deputy, Beaumont resident, and board member of the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District, who was killed in a crash on State Route 79 nearly 10 years ago. He was driving home after working at the courthouse in Hemet.

- U.S. Army Spc. Michael Dahl, Jr., born and raised in Beaumont, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009 when his tank was struck by a roadside bomb.

When the bridge opens this summer it will connect Oak Valley Parkway - formerly San Timoteo Canyon Road - with Western Knolls Avenue. It spans 700 feet to cross over Union Pacific tracks  and the San Timoteo Creek wash, about a mile west of Interstate 10.

Future plans include extending a new road from the bridge south to connect with State Route 60. City officials bill the project as a catalyst to open more than 2,000 acres for commercial and industrial development.

Beaumont officials are seeking more names of former Beaumont residents to be memorialized on what will be called the bridge's "Historic Walk of Fame."

Those selected must be deceased, must have lived in Beaumont, and must have made a significant contribution to the city, Thompson said.

"In Beaumont, the community is our strength," Mayor Brian De Forge said. "As we approach the city’s centennial on Nov. 18, 2012, we invite our citizens to nominate those who have helped make this community what it is today."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here