C.P.R.R. Truckee Round House

1. C.P.R.R. Truckee Round House Marker

Inscription.
Needed to house and maintain the engines of the Central Pacific Railroad during construction of the Trans-Sierra Crossing, an enclosed wooden round house was constructed here in 1868. It was razed by fire in March 1869. A 16 stall wooden structure was built that year as the maintenance facility of the C.P.R.R. Truckee Division. Another fire in 1876 resulted in construction of a 22 stall granite and wooden structure. This served thru 1942, when it was officially retired. A victim of the end of the steam era and consolidation of maintenance at other locations. The round houses were home to helper engines, fire trains and the first rotary snow plow in the Sierra.

Erected 1991 by Chief Truckee Chapter No. 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 month for this entry is March 1869.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 19.733′ N, 120° 10.949′ W. Marker was in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It was on Donner Pass Road south of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Truckee CA 96161, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was 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 found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this location: Church of the Mountains Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); First Log Cabin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Truckee’s Old Stone Garage and Site of Town’s First Dwelling (about 600 feet away); Jax Truckee Diner (about 700 feet away); “The Tin Can” / “Dot’s Place” (about 700 feet away); George Schaffer (about 800 feet away); George Schaffer House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Transcontinental Railroad - Truckee (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on April 11, 2025, by E Gardner of Reno, Nevada. Photo 1. submitted on January 11, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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