The holidays are in full swing and many folks have more free time and some of you are hosting out of town guests. Why not explore one of the many treasures in the Antelope Valley? One of these quite unique treasures to experience, and to impress your out of town visitors, is the Musical Road in Lancaster. It is thought to be the first musical road built in the United States (Source: “Musical Road in Lancaster” via California Through My Lens).
In 2008, the Honda Motor Company, working with the City of Lancaster, filmed a commercial featuring its 2009 Honda Civic driving along on Avenue K between 60th Street West and 70th Street West, its original location featured the driving along making music with its tires as it drove along the road. After the commercial was filmed and aired nationally, due to the proximity of nearby residential areas, the sound could be heard up to 1/2 mile away disturbing the residents of homes in the area (Source: “Civic Musical Road” via Atlas Obscura).
The City of Lancaster decided it was worth it to keep the Musical Road as a tourist attraction, but move it to a less disruptive location. The original road was quickly paved over, and in late 2008, the Musical Road was replicated on Avenue G between 30th Street West and 40th Street West. These days in its new location near the General William J. Fox Airfield and Apollo Regional Park and surrounding open space, the Musical Road brings music to the ears of drivers without disrupting nearby residents (Source: Destination Lancaster CA).
The far left lane of the road on Avenue G was built with strategically cut grooves that are spaced and designed so that a series of pitches the road plays out the finale of the William Tell Overture when a car drives over them at the posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour (Source: “Musical Road in Lancaster” via California Through My Lens). Some of us baby boomers may remember this piece of music from our childhood as the theme from the 1950’s TV show “The Lone Ranger”.
Driving along the road won’t sound exactly like a concert by the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall or the Hollywood Bowl, but it should deliver a fun ride! So take a trip west on Avenue G in the far left lane, and after passing 30th Street West, turn off your car stereo, set your speed for 55 and enjoy the ride, the free symphony, and the smiles it brings to you and your passengers!
Feature Photo Credit: CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
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