The historic route linking Mariposa with Yosemite National Park marks its centenary in 2026, with a story shaped by Gold Rush heritage, community planting and some of California’s most memorable scenery
In 2026, California’s Highway 140 celebrates its 100th anniversary. Known as the “All-Weather Highway”, the route has connected the historic Gold Rush town of Mariposa with Yosemite National Park since 1926, following the Merced River towards Yosemite Valley and playing an important role in the development of communities along the corridor.
One of the highway’s most distinctive stories began in 1964, when local resident and amateur horticulturist William Brady set out to make the drive into Yosemite even more beautiful. After developing a successful method for germinating California redbud seeds, Brady shared the idea with local organisations, turning it into a wider community effort.
Thousands of empty coffee cans were sent to Mariposa following a nationwide appeal, before volunteers filled them with germinating redbud seedlings. The first were planted beside Highway 140 during National Highway Week, beginning what became one of California’s more unusual roadside beautification projects.
More than six decades later, the legacy is still visible. Each spring, stretches of the highway are lined with vivid magenta redbud blossom, while autumn brings rich gold, orange and red foliage. The planting has become part of the visual identity of the route and a reminder of how a small community initiative can leave a lasting mark on a landscape.
The road itself offers a varied journey into Yosemite, beginning in Mariposa and continuing east through foothills, river canyons and mountain scenery. In spring, the wider area is also known for wildflower displays, particularly California poppies, while the Merced River corridor supports a range of native wildlife, including the endemic limestone salamander.
That same community-minded approach can still be seen today. Along the Mariposa Creek Parkway, local groups, volunteers and conservation partners are restoring native planting and wildlife habitat while improving public space for residents and visitors. The work has already encouraged the return of native species, with reports that a beaver may even have returned to the creek.
As Highway 140 enters its second century, its appeal lies not only in the scenery but in the layers of local history and community effort that have shaped the journey. From volunteer-planted redbuds to ongoing habitat restoration, the route remains a living example of how residents have helped define the experience of travelling to Yosemite.
