Near La Porte in Plumas County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

The Alturas Snowshoe Club

“Dope is King”

— La Porte, Plumas County, California —

The Alturas Snowshoe Club Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By E Clampus Vitus Plaques Book 1930-1995, n/a

1. The Alturas Snowshoe Club Marker

This marker is missing.

Inscription. This plaque commemorates the origins of the world’s first downhill snowshoe racing events which began in Plumas and Sierra Counties in the 1850’s. The Alturas Snowshoe Club was the world’s first organized ski club, having originated between Gibsonville and the Port Wine Snowshoe Club. By 1867 downhill ski racing had become a major sport with teams of riders from the “Lost Sierra” mining camps competing for prize money and prestige on the historical “long boards” of the snowshoe era of Plumas and Sierra Counties. Secret “dope recipes” concocted by members of these snowshoe racing clubs resulted in lightning like downhill racing speeds unmatched by any competitors from the modern day ski racing era.

The Alturas Snowshoe Club is hereby commemorated and dedicated by Frank C. Reilly Chapter No. 5978, E Clampus Vitus, June 29, 1991.

Erected 1991 by E Clampus Vitus, Frank C. Reilly Chapter No. 5978.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1858.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 39.696′ N, 121° 0.418′

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W. Marker was near La Porte, California, in Plumas County. Marker was on Lexington Hill Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Strawberry Valley CA 95981, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Lexington Ski Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Benjamin W. Barnes (approx. 1.8 miles away); “Quick Silver Charley” (approx. 1.8 miles away); Emigrant Trail (approx. 1.8 miles away); La Porte (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lotta Crabtree (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Union Hotel (approx. 1.9 miles away); Rabbit Creek House (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

More about this marker. This marker is missing and has been for awhile.The monument (base) is on Lexington Hill Road approximately 0.1 miles north of the intersection with the La Porte - Quincy Road.

Also see . . .
1. Longboard Sking has a Long History... - High Sierra Topix. Local mining towns with colorful names like Poker Flat, Whiskey Diggings and La Porte all sponsored longboard ski teams that would compete with each other for cash prizes that could reach $1,000. The sport became organized when Creed Raymond founded the Alturas Snowshoe Club at La Porte in 1867. (Submitted on June 14, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. "Dope is King" "Long Live Longboards" - Plumas Ski Club

The Alturas Snowshoe Club Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

2. The Alturas Snowshoe Club Monument

. Eighty-eight miles per hour! No speed record you say? Try telling that to Cornish Bob, the world's first champion speed skier. It was near La Porte, on the snow-covered slopes of Lexington Hill in February of 1867 that he fairly flew to victory over the 1,804 foot track on twelve foot long wooden skis. (Submitted on June 14, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

The Alturas Snowshoe Club Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 30, 2012

3. The Alturas Snowshoe Club Sign

Exhibit at the Plumas County Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.