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

Clinton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017

1. Clinton Narrow Gauge Railroad Marker

Inscription. First steam railroad logging operation in the Truckee River Basin. Commenced operation in the late 1870's under the supervision of Fred Burckhalter, head of the Pacific Lumber and Wood Co. Line extended 10 miles along Juniper Creek with hopes of eventual service to Lake Tahoe. Line abandoned in 1901 after several configurations at the PL&W Co. mill in Clinton.

Erected 1980 by E Clampus Vitus, Chief Truckee Chapter No. 3691.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 39° 22.086′ N, 120° 4.608′ W. Marker is near Truckee, California, in Nevada County. Marker is at the intersection of Hirschdale Road and Juniper Way, on the left when traveling south on Hirschdale Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boca Townsite (approx. 1½ miles away); The Transcontinental Railroad and Boca Dam (approx. 1.8 miles away); Floriston (approx. 3½ miles away); Farad Powerhouse (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Nightmare Begins

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(approx. 5½ miles away); Donner Camp Site (approx. 5½ miles away); Shelter From the Storm (approx. 5½ miles away); Donner Camp Tree (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.

More about this marker. Use Interstate 80, exit 194 to access Hirschcale Road.

Also see . . . Theodore Judah and the Local Landmarks of the Central Pacific Railroad -- Truckee-Donner Historical. The sawmill at Clinton was first built in 1868, and logged the timber closest to the Truckee River by 1878. Truckee businessman Fred Burckhalter, partner in the Pacific Wood & Lumber Co. at Clinton, was the first in the west to use a steam powered railroad to haul logs from the woods to a sawmill. The three foot wide track extended up Juniper Creek several miles and was projected to be built to Lake Tahoe . In 1893 the timber in the Juniper Creek area was logged off and the rails and rolling stock were torn up and moved to the East Fork of Martis Creek. The track was built back to the Truckee Lumber Company Mill and the Pacific Lumber trains hauled logs to the Truckee mill until 1900. (Submitted on July 8, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017

2. Clinton Narrow Gauge Railroad Marker

Truckee River in the background

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.