Wendover in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Donner-Reed Party

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 19, 2017

1. The Donner-Reed Party Marker

Inscription. passed this way on the 2nd of September 1846, having lost 36 oxen, several wagons, and suffered much.
"Don't look for SHORT-CUTS"

Erected by Boy Scouts of America, Troop 580, Layton, Utah.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 2, 1847.

Location. 41° 0.588′ N, 113° 46.596′ W. Marker is in Wendover, Utah, in Tooele County. Marker is on Silver Island Road near Crater Island Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wendover UT 84083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hastings Cutoff - Barren Mountains (approx. 6.3 miles away).

More about this marker. Google maps says that I was on Silver Island Road, but lets face it there are no roadsigns out there. Let's be honest, I was lost. I made a wrong turn off Leppy Pass Road onto an unnamed road (there was no signpost at the intersection) and it was miles before I realize (admitted) that I didn't know where I was going

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and turned around. Evidently I was following the old Hastings Cutoff. I could have listened to Virginia Reed of the Donner Party -- "Never take no cutoffs"

Also see . . . Hastings Cutoff - Retracing the Footsteps of the Donner-Reed Party -- BLM on YouTube. Travel back in time and experience the adventure as three interns retrace the fateful steps of the Donner-Reed Party, traveling the ninety-mile waterless stretch of the California Trail known as Hastings Cutoff. (Submitted on July 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 19, 2017

2. The Donner-Reed Party Marker

The marker is on a post at the right.

A Desperate Situation image. Click for full size.

Digital.library.upenn.edu

3. A Desperate Situation

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.