Near Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Transcontinental Railroad and Boca Dam
The First Transcontinental Railroad
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
1. The Transcontinental Railroad and Boca Dam Marker
In 1866 the Central Pacific Railroad in their push east over the Sierra Nevada set up Construction Camp 17 just downstream from here at the confluence of the Truckee River and the Little Truckee River. Camp 17 quickly became known as Boca, Spanish for mouth, The railroad needed wood for ties, telegraph poles, snow sheds and fuel. In 1868, because this part of the Sierra Nevada had large timber stands, a sawmill was established. The first Boca Dam was built that year to create the mill's log pond. In the winter the log pond froze over. The company began harvesting the natural ice in 1869.
The combination of the railroad and ice made Boca an ideal location for a brewery. In 1876 a brewery was established. It became famous for its award winning lager beer.
Discover more about the historic boomtown of Boca by visiting Boca Town Site Interpretive Trail.
Erected by U.S Department of Agriculture, Tahoe National Forest.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
2. The Transcontinental Railroad and Boca Dam Marker
this page online
Location. 39° 23.49′ N, 120° 5.532′ W. Marker is near Truckee, California, in Nevada County. Marker is on Stampede Meadows Road near Boca Dam Reservoir Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10512 Stampede Meadows Road, Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boca Townsite (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton Narrow Gauge Railroad (approx. 1.8 miles away); Floriston (approx. 3.7 miles away); Donner Camp Site (approx. 4.7 miles away); Shelter From the Storm (approx. 4.8 miles away); Donner Camp Tree (approx. 4.8 miles away); The Nightmare Begins (approx. 4.8 miles away); A Family Heads West (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
3. Boca Dam and Dedication Plaque
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
4. Boca Dam Plaque
1937 - 1940
United States
Department of the Interior
Harold L. Ickes ... Secretary
Bureau of Reclamation
John E. Page ... Commissioner
R.F. Walter ... Chief Engineer
L.J. Foster and C.S. Hale Construction Engineers
Height ..... 116 feet
Length ..... 629 feet
Storage Capacity ... 40,901 acre-feet
Contractor ..... George W. Condon Co.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
5. "Boca Beer" plaque
Boca Dam in the background.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 18, 2017
6. "Boca Beer" Plaque
Rededicated May 12, 2001/6006
Chief Truckee Chapter No. 3691
E Clampus Vitus
Photographed By J.J. Reilly, circa 1870s
7. Monumental Sawmill, C.R.R.R.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on February 7, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 8, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
