Gardnerville in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Kingsbury Grade
Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 25, 2009
1. Kingsbury Grade Marker
Dagget Pass Trail, named for C.D. Dagget, who acquired land at its foot in 1854, was earlier called Georgetown Trail. Replaced in 1860 by the wagon road built by Kingsbury and McDonald, for which they received a Territorial Franchise in 1861, it shortened the distance between Sacramento and Virginia City by 15 miles.
The road cost $585,000. Toll receipts were $190,000 in 1863. Heavy eastward travel occurred in 1860 to 1868. The toll for a wagon and four horses was $17.50 round trip from Shingle Springs, California, to Henry Van Sickle's Station near the foot of the grade. Van Sickle, who helped finance the road, eventually acquired it and sold it to Douglas County in 1889 for $1000.
Horse-drawn water carts sprinkled summer dust, and sleds packed winter snow, providing a year-round hard-surfaced road.
Pony Express and the line of the Humboldt & Salt Lake Telegraph Company followed Kingsbury Grade.
Erected by Nevada State Parks System and Carson Valley Historical Society. (Marker Number 117.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location.
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Cary Mill (a few steps from this marker); The Demise of Sam Brown (approx. half a mile away); Walley's Hot Springs (approx. 1.1 miles away); Carson Trail - Hot Springs (approx. 1.1 miles away); Carson Valley (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hiram Mott (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mottsville (approx. 2.4 miles away); Hanging Tree (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gardnerville.
Also see . . . New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers in Nevada. The Nevada SHPO placed the amended text of each individual marker on its website and will change the actual markers in the field as funding allows. Minor changes have been made to this marker for grammar, readability, and content. It is now noted that toll receipts were roughly $100,000 in 1863. The link will take you to the Nevada
Photographed by Syd Whittle, July 25, 2009
2. Kingsbury Grade Marker
Old Kingsbury Grade Road can be seen in the photo.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 1, 1980
3. Current Kingsbury Grade as it Heads Up to Lake Tahoe
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 16, 2010
4. Roadbed of the Original Kingsbury Grade
This view of the original roadbed is seen from the "Carson Valley" marker on the current Kindbury Grade.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,425 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on August 16, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
