Near Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Town Mostly of Men

Photographed by Connor Olson, June 15, 2025

1. A Town Mostly of Men Marker

Inscription. Boca once boasted a population of about 200, mostly men under 40. Frontiersmen from Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Nevada, Ireland, Germany, China and Italy were among the residents. The mixture of men from different countries, cultures and occupations did not always blend well. Boca had a reputation for violence.

Few men brought their families to Boca, but by 1873 there were enough children to justify building a school. The pole in front of you was part of the school's flag pole.

By 1876 the town also had a post office, telegraph office, train depot, hotel, sawmill, shingle mill, Chinese laundry, general store, dairy, butcher shop, brothel, blacksmith shop, saloons, ice houses, homes and a brewery.

Erected by Tahoe National, U.S. Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 39° 23.227′ N, 120° 5.534′ W. Marker is near Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It can be reached from Stampede Meadows Road south of Boca Dam Reservoir Road. Touch for map. Marker

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is in this post office area: Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Transcontinental Railroad and Boca Dam (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton Narrow Gauge Railroad (approx. 1.6 miles away); Floriston (approx. 3.8 miles away); Farad Powerhouse (approx. 4 miles away); Donner Camp Site (approx. 4.7 miles away); Shelter From the Storm (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Nightmare Begins (approx. 4.7 miles away); Donner Camp Tree (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Boca Townsite (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Connor Olson, June 15, 2025

2. A Town Mostly of Men Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.