Camp Cajon was opened with a grand ceremony on July 4, 1919, as a free auto camp and rest area for motorists traveling to and from Southern California on National Old Trails Road. The camp was located in Cajon Pass, just south of the present-day intersection of I-15 and Highway 138. William M. Bristol, a well-known local orange grower, author, and poet, founded the camp, and it was his vision and leadership that led to Camp Cajon becoming famous as "The Gateway to Southern California." The unique structures and facilities in the camp were beautifully constructed of local rock and concrete, and many of them were hand-crafted by Bristol himself. the camp quickly became a popular rest stop, travel destination, and picnic site. [http://campcajon.com]