For years now, community groups along the 78 miles of State Route 247 between Yucca Valley and Barstow have pushed to have the historic, two-lane road officially designated a “Scenic Highway.” Frustrated by delays, detours, and the threat of changing road conditions, one local resident hopes to green-light the process with an unusual tactic. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says pull over and get a pen and paper if you want to join the effort…
Known for uninterrupted expanses of Mojave Desert with stands of Joshua trees and yucca, geologic wonders, and ghostly homesteads flanked by high mountains, little has changed along the once rutted wagon trail since it was first paved in 1958. Classified as eligible for scenic designation, that status can only be awarded with the coordination of two notoriously slow-moving bureaucracies – Caltrans and the county. Long frustrated with the pace, Pioneertown artist Lakey Kolb has grown increasingly alarmed as planned solar projects and the transmission lines they require threaten to permanently road block scenic designation. Following the lead of pioneer conservationist Minerva Hoyt, Kolb set out to increase public awareness and pressure government action. Last month, with funds raised through a GoFundMe website, Kolb unveiled a billboard on Highway 247 and Buena Vista in Yucca Mesa. Emblazoned across her artwork are the words “Scenic 247: Let’s Make It Official,” along with a link to the GoFundMe account.
Kolb signed a one-year lease for the billboard which she aims to update with new images and information. Contributions to Kolb’s Scenic 247 campaign may be made at gofundme.com/247-billboard-fund.
