Where Sammy Davis Jr Lost His Eye

San Bernardino, California

There's no historical marker (although there should be), but fans can imagine the terrible moment on November 15, 1954, when future Rat-Packer Sammy Davis Jr crashed his car at this Route 66 spot and lost his eye. The entertainer had driven all night from Las Vegas for an L.A. recording session. The crash happened at around 7 am. Sammy's left eye was smashed when his face flew into the bulbous metal steering wheel hub of his new lime green Cadillac. In 1954, cars had no seat belts.

Sammy wore an eye patch and then a glass eye for the rest of his life. He also converted to Judaism after talking with his pal, performer Eddie Cantor, while recuperating in the hospital. Cantor had previously given Sammy a mezuzah, which Sammy wore around his neck for luck. Davis later said the only time he forgot to wear it was on the night of the accident.