Route 42 was from Route 1 north of Los Angeles Int'l Airport to
Route 5 in Norwalk.
This is one of those highways that is recognized by everyone as a
legitimate state highway except the state itself. Now, the route was
one among the many adopted routes signed in 1964. According to
Michael Bagley and Daniel Faigin, the route was sliced into two in 1968.
The first part, from Route 1 to Route 5, was transferred to Route 105.
The second, from Route 39 to Route 91, was transferred to Route 90.
Since the second part is definately Route 90 material, we'll focus only
on the first part, which is not in the Code at all.
However, Route 42 has not disappeared. The route currently runs on
Manchester and Firestone Blvds, which share the same street. Highways
cutting through Route 42 will still recognize the route. There are still
signs on Routes 405, 110, 710, 19, 605, and 5 that point Manchester Bl or
Firestone Bl as Route 42. Thomas Guides, as well as maps from Rand McNally
and Goshua also point Manchester and Firestone Blvds in Los Angeles as
Route 42. What's more, the streets themselves, including Manchester and
Firestone Blvds, still have the Route 42 markers well installed on the route.
So in reality, Route 42 is still an active state highway, though
it may be considered "illegitmate" to the State. And being an important
route to Inglewood, South Gate, Downey, and Norwalk, Route 42 is still
a potentially beneficial route.
The Great Western Forum is on the corner of Manchester Bl (Route 42)
and Prairie Avenue. Hollywood Park is further down Prairie Ave southward.
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