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

By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012
1. The Steam Donkey Marker
Inscription. The Steam Donkey. . 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. . This historical marker was erected by Disney California Adventure Park. It is in Anaheim in Orange County California
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.
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 
By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012
2. The Steam Donkey Marker
are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pelton Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); 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); Loara School Bell (approx. 1.8 miles away); Site of San Pedro Gate (approx. 1.8 miles away); Stanley House Museum (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaheim.

By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012
3. The Steam Donkey

By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012
4. The Steam Donkey
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 867 times since then and 2 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.