First Wagons Across the Sierras Marker

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Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Wagons Across the Sierras

By Syd Whittle, October 13, 2012

1. First Wagons Across the Sierras Marker

Inscription. The Stephens – Townsend – Murphy Party, with guidance from old Caleb Greenwood and Chief Truckee, brought their wagons up the Truckee River bed and on Nov. 25, 1844 191 days out of Council Bluffs, Iowa passed this point and crossed the mighty Sierra summit directly to the west, blazing the famous California Emigrant Trail for all who followed.

Erected 1976 by Chief Truckee Chapter 3691, E Camplus Vitus.

Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.

Location. 39° 19.38′ N, 120° 17.458′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. Marker is at the intersection of Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) and South Shore Drive, on the left when traveling west on Donner Pass Road. Click for map. Marker is located at the west end of Donner Lake. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15963 South Shore Drive, Truckee CA 96161, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Pollard's Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Donner Pass (approx. 1.5 miles away); Stephens – Townsend – Murphy Party of 1844 (approx. 1.5 miles away); China Wall of the Sierra (approx. 1.6 miles away); Donner Party (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Donner Party (approx. 2.8 miles away); Schallenberger Cabin Site (approx. 2.8 miles away); Western America Skisport Museum (approx. 3.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Truckee.

By Syd Whittle, October 13, 2012

2. First Wagons Across the Sierras Marker

Also see . . . The First Pioneer Wagons Crossed the Sierra. The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party was a well organized party consisting of ten families who were seeking a better future for themselves in California. The fifty member group left Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 22, 1844. (Submitted on October 15, 2012.)

Credits. This page originally submitted on October 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page has been viewed 69 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California.