Pollock Pines in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Mormon Emigrant Trail
Shortly after James W Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, his Mormon laborers were re-called to the Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah. On April, 9, 1848, a plan was devised to cut a wagon trail through the uncharted Sierra Nevada frontier. The trail would become the present day Mormon Emigrant Trail. In June, the wagon train departed Pleasant Valley with 45 men, one woman and 17 wagons, several yoke of oxen and 300 head of cattle.
Their first camp site was made July 4, 1848 by Mormon scout, Jason Calvin Sly at today's Sly Park. From there the wagon road was cut inch by inch, through the austere Sierra mountain range. When completed the Mormons had built the first east-west wagon road into Northern California. Tens of thousands used this road during California's gold rush for commerce and stagecoach travel.
Historian: Anthony M. Belli
Erected by Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1848.
Location. 38° 45.767′ N, 120° 34.68′ W. Marker is in Pollock Pines, California, in El Dorado County. Marker is at the intersection of Pony Express Trail (Lincoln Highway) and Forebay Road, on the right when traveling east on Pony Express Trail (Lincoln Highway). The marker is located at the Northwest corner of the Safeway parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6498 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines CA 95726, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Logging in El Dorado County (here, next to this marker); The California Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); Bullion Bend Robbery (here, next to this marker); Johnson Cutoff - Took the Hangtown Road (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Bravery of Our Pioneer Officers (approx. 1˝ miles away); Carson Trail - To Pleasant Valley (approx. 1.6 miles away); Carson Trail - Junction (approx. 1.8 miles away); Cutoff to Johnson Ranch and Placerville (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pollock Pines.
More about this marker. This marker is placed at a six-sided kiosk having six markers and paintings depicting the events described on the markers. Two of the markers are missing.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Tragedy Spring site
Also see . . . Mormon Trail. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,238 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on May 14, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.