Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Chief Truckee
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012
1. Chief Truckee Marker
The legendary Paiute leader; friend and guide; breveted a “Captain” by John C. Fremont; gave his name to this valley, river and town: died near Payton, Nevada, in 1860.
Erected 1974 by Chief Truckee Chapter 3691, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 39° 19.607′ N, 120° 10.552′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It can be reached from Brockway Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is visible from the parking lot of the Truckee River Regional Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10870 Brockway Road, Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Truckee Roundhouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Church of the Mountains Campus (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jax Truckee Diner (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Schaffer (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Schaffer House (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Log Cabin (approx. half a mile away); Truckee’s Old Stone Garage and Site of Town’s First Dwelling (approx. half a mile away); Lincoln Highway Through Truckee (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.
Another marker is no longer nearby. C.P.R.R. Truckee Round House (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Regarding Chief Truckee. There is a typo on the reported plaque wording. The marker reads that Chief Truckee died near Dayton, Nevada. The incorrect reported wording reads Payton not Dayton. This should be corrected in the database.
Also see . . . Chief Truckee. Chief Truckee, continually made himself available as a guide to the endless succession of emigrant groups. There is no record of how many parties of emigrants Truckee personally guided safely over the Sierra to Sutter's Fort or by others on orders from him.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012
2. Chief Truckee Marker
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012
3. Chief Truckee Marker
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012
4. Chief Truckee
This sculpture was done by Gordon Huff, reknown artist and Clamper. His work is seen on many Clamper plaques located throughout Northern California.
Photographed by Leon Schegg, June 14, 2025
5. Chief Truckee Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 71 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Leon Schegg of Truckee, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Leon Schegg of Truckee, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
