Verdi in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Great Train Robbery
Photographed by Ysterdad, May 23, 2026
1. The Great Train Robbery Marker
The West's first train robbery occurred near this site on the night of November 4, 1870. A gang of men concocted an elaborate scheme to rob the Central Pacific Railroad as the train passed through Verdi. He telegraphed a coded message to "Sal" Jones in Reno, who alerted five men waiting near Verdi. Two men rode to an area just south of Mogu today, and they placed rocks across the train tracks.
When the train stopped in Verdi for the night, the soon-to-be-robbers boarded the train, decoupled the passenger coaches and commandeered the engine, mai and express cars. The gang forced Engineer Henry Small to drive to the blockage, where they tricked the guard to opening th locked express car door. The robbers broke open the strong boxes and divided the $41,600. The men rode off in different directions. All were eventually caught and all but $3,000 was recovered.
Erected by State Historic Preservation Office; Snowshoe Thompson Chapter 1827, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 128.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is November 4, 1870.
Location. 39° 31.048′ N,
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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 walking distance of this marker: Inyo Marble Works (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henness Pass Road O'Neill Station (about 700 feet away); Verdi (approx. 0.3 miles away); Truckee Trail - Last Crossing (approx. half a mile away); Crystal Peak Toll Bridge (approx. half a mile away); Verdi Veterans Memorial (approx. Ύ mile away); Von Schmidt (approx. 0.9 miles away); Henness Pass Road (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Verdi.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Great Train Robbery (has been replaced with this marker).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on May 23, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
