Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Truckee Roundhouse
Photographed by Ysterdad, September 3, 2026
1. Truckee Roundhouse Marker
The Central Pacific Railroad constructed an enclosed wooden roundhouse in 1868 at a site near this location. It was razed by fire in March 1869. Then a 4-stall wooden structure with 4-engines per stall capacity was built as the maintenance facility of the Central Pacific Railroad. Steam engine sizes and rail traffic increased and in the early 1880's the facility was replaced by a 24-stall structure with 1-engine per stall. This third roundhouse was made with granite quarried in Rocklin and a galvanized sheet iron roof. The turntable contained the only wood in the roundhouse. In addition to providing maintenance, the three roundhouses were home to helper engines, fire trains, snow plows and the first rotary snow plow in the Sierra. The last roundhouse was condemned in 1939 when the Southern Pacific Railroad consolidated the maintenance operations at other locations and the deteriorating iron roof was removed. The turntable and the remaining 23-feet high by several feet thick granite walls of the roundhouse were totally dismantled in 1955.
Rededicated February 12, 2020
The Truckee Donner Railroad and the Truckee-Donner
this page online
Holliday Development
Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission
Original Plaque Dedicated August 10, 1991
Chief Truckee Chapter No. 3691 E Clampus Vitus
Erected 2020 by 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.
Location. 39° 19.752′ N, 120° 10.804′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It is at the intersection of Donner Pass Road and Roundhouse Way, on the right when traveling east on Donner Pass Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10237 Donner Pass Road, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Photographed by Ysterdad, September 3, 2026
2. Truckee Roundhouse Marker
Marker is at center of photo
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Church of the Mountains Campus (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln Highway Through Truckee (approx. Ό mile away); Truckees Old Stone Garage and Site of Towns First Dwelling (approx. Ό mile away); Jax Truckee Diner (approx. Ό mile away); George Schaffer (approx. Ό mile away); George Schaffer House (approx. Ό mile away); The Tin Can / Dots Place (approx. Ό 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 about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
