Genoa in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

1. John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Marker

Inscription.
As a Tribute
To a great compatriot from Telemark
This plaque was presented
by the Norwegian Olympic Ski Team
competing at Sqaw Valley
in February 1960
Dedicated to
John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thom(p)son Born April 30, 1827, in Tinn (Atra), Telemark, Norway. Died May 15, 1878 near Woodfords, Calif. A man made immortal for his unbelievable treks through the most severe storms of the Sierra to bring the mail to pioneers of Western Nevada. He was never paid for this hazardous service.
Oct. 26, 1963
E Clampus Vitus
Re-dedicated on September 18, 1976 at the
chartering of the Snow-Shoe Thompson
Chapter No. 1827 & the Centennial of his
untimely death. An officially sanctioned
Bi-Centennial event.

Erected 1863 by Snowshoe Thompson Chapter 1827 E Clampus Vitus Oct. 26, 1963 and Sept. 18, 1976.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 30, 1827.

Location. 39° 0.703′ N, 119° 50.696′ W. Marker is in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Genoa, Nevada, in Douglas County. It can be reached from Jacks Valley Road (Nevada Route 206). Gravesite and Marker are located at the Northwest corner of the Genoa Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2432 Jacks Valley Road, Genoa NV 89411, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada,

in the Lake Tahoe Basin,

and in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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 walking distance of this marker: We Salute John “Snowshoe” Thompson / A Tribute From Three Lutheran Churches (here, next to this marker); Eggs for Sale! (approx. 0.4 miles away); Finding Opportunity in a Declining Town (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Campbell Property (approx. half a mile away); Judge Daniel Webster Virgin (approx. half a mile away); The Pony Express (approx. half a mile away); John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson (approx.

John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Gravesite and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

2. John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Gravesite and Markers

half a mile away); Hans Meyer–Kassel (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Genoa.

Regarding John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson. It is noted that the spelling is found as “Thompson”, “Thom(p)son” and “Thomson” on plaques and monuments located throughout the area. The spelling on the headstone at his gravesite it “Thomson”.

Also see . . .
1. Snowshoe Thompson – “Viking of the Sierra”. (Submitted on July 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Snowshoe Thompson: Legendary Skiing Mailman. "Out of all the skiers who have carved the slopes around Lake Tahoe, the most famous is undoubtedly John "Snowshoe" Thompson, the legendary skiing mailman of the Sierra Nevada. When it came to traveling in the wintry mountains, he was the precursor of the pack train, the stagecoach and the locomotive. It required years before any other form of transportation succeeded him.” (Submitted on July 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

3. Snowshoe Thompson. A musical tribute sung by Johnnie Horton telling the story of “Snowshoe” Johnson (Submitted on July 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Family Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

3. John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Family Plot

Gravesite of Arthure Thomson image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

4. Gravesite of Arthure Thomson

In Memory of
Arthure
Son & Only Child of
John & Agnes Thomson
Who died June 22,
1878
Aged 11 Years 4 Mos
11 Days
Not dead but sleeping

Grave Site of Angus Scossa image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 5, 2009

5. Grave Site of Angus Scossa

Wife of John "Snow-Shoe" Thomson

View of Genoa Cemetery and the Carson Valley From Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

6. View of Genoa Cemetery and the Carson Valley From Gravesite

John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Exhibit at the Genoa Courthouse Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 6, 2009

7. John A. “Snow-Shoe” Thompson Exhibit at the Genoa Courthouse Museum

John A. Thompson
They Called Him
"Snowshoe" Somewhere in the memory of God is the true story of Snowshoe Thompson, of what he did, why he did it, and how he died. To the miners of the "49er" days it was quite remarkable that he died at all.
He is an indomitable and shining legend of California's gold rush days.

There are many stories told about Snowshoe, all basically true, since they have a common pattern. As one writer put it. "His name is mispelled on his tombstone, and even the little that is known of him is rusted with old rememberances."

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,073 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on July 13, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.