Olympic Valley in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lake Tahoe Railway and Transportation Co.

Photographed by Lance C Johnson

1. Lake Tahoe Railway and Transportation Co. Marker

Inscription. The 16 mile railroad from Lake Tahoe to Truckee was a venture by the Bliss family of the Glenbrook Lumber fame. During the summer of 1898, William Seth Bliss was hired to survey the river canyon between Tahoe and the Central Pacific RR at Truckee. Construction of a narrow gauge RR commenced in the Spring of 1899. Passenger operation began in the Spring of 1900, making the rail trip to Tahoe a reality. Southern Pacific RR leased the line in 1925, converted the track to standard gauge in 1928, and took ownership in 1927 (for one silver dollar). Operation of the RR ended in 1943 during WWII. The track was taken up and sold for scrap. The bike path on which you are now standing on is the rail bed of the L.T.R.& T.C.O.

Erected 2004 by Chief Truckee Chapter 3691, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 39° 11.155′ N, 120° 11.687′ W. Marker is in Olympic Valley, California, in Placer County. It is on Truckee River Bike Trail south

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of Alpine Meadows Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located on the bike trail which can be reached via Alpine Meadows Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Olympic Valley CA 96146, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Allexey W Von Schmidt (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Ski Area of America (approx. 2.3 miles away); Roads and Bridges (approx. 3 miles away); Conflict Over Water (approx. 3 miles away); The Gatekeeper’s Cabin and Museum (approx. 3 miles away); Tahoe City's Constables (approx. 3 miles away); A Tradition of Basketmaking (approx. 3 miles

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away); Lake Tahoe (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olympic Valley.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2021, by Lance C Johnson of Sun Valley, Nevada. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 87 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 30, 2021, by Lance C Johnson of Sun Valley, Nevada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?