LAKESIDE — If you've driven a road in San Diego County, there's a solid chance Hazard Construction put it there.

The Lakeside-headquartered firm celebrates its 100th anniversary this June, a rare centennial milestone for any California construction company. Founded in 1926 by Roscoe Elwood "Pappy" Hazard as a modest excavation outfit in downtown San Diego, the company has grown into a full-service general engineering contractor with a footprint stretching across Southern California.

Hazard moved its headquarters to Lakeside in 2019, setting up shop just off State Route 67. President Jason Mordhorst said the move was intentional — a large share of the company's workforce already lived in East County. The company held a 100th anniversary celebration at its Lakeside facility on March 20, complete with a "100 years" cake, live music, axe throwing, and a miniature golf course in the parking lot.

The company's current East County work includes a job order contract for improvements at Lake Murray, and last year Hazard completed a full runway rehabilitation project at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Earlier this month, the firm also helped install a new gateway sign on Rosecrans Street at Point Loma, and is currently working on a Gateway Sign along Interstate 5 near San Ysidro.

"We came here with a full commitment to be part of the neighborhood and part of the community," said Facilities Manager David Prescott, a 37-year Hazard veteran.

The company's roots include the Hazard-Miller family connection dating to 1936, when Raymond Miller — turned away from military service due to childhood polio — hand-dug sewer trenches in Pacific Beach to help build the region's infrastructure. Five of his brothers eventually joined him at the firm.