Anaheim in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Steam Donkey

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012

1. The Steam Donkey Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

How the Dolbeer Donkey steam engine got its name is one of the real mysteries of the West. Some folks say it was called a "donkey" because loggers thought it was too puny to merit a horsepower rating. Invented by John Dolbeer, this portable steam engine first appeared in the redwoods near Eureka, California in 1881. The tiny, but mighty machine could be hauled to remote mountaintops and equaled the power of many horses, mules and oxen to reel in huge logs. A few steam donkeys still stand in north coast towns as a tribute to the ingenuity of California's early inventors.

Erected by Disney California Adventure Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 33° 48.429′ N, 117° 55.275′ W. Marker is in Anaheim, California, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Disneyland Drive. Marker is located next to the Grizzly River Run within the Disney California Adventure Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim CA 92802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012

2. The Steam Donkey Marker

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within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pelton Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); Carthay Circle Theatre (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafitte's Anchor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cascade Falls (approx. 0.3 miles away); Petrified Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); Disneyland Monorail System (approx. half a mile away); Kate and Ella 1895 (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. Michael's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaheim.

The Steam Donkey image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012

3. The Steam Donkey

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012

4. The Steam Donkey

Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

5. Photo Displayed on Marker

Steam Donkey Photo courtesy of Humboldt State University

6. Photo Displayed on Marker

John Dolbeer photo courtsey of The Bancroft Library - University of California, Berkeley

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2012. This page has been viewed 934 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on August 27, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 14, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.