Tahoe City in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895

A Town of 25 Takes Shape

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 16, 2010

1. Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Most folks traveling to Tahoe City in the 1800s arrived by stagecoach from Truckee. By 1868, 25 people called Tahoe City home.

Some harvested hay on what is now Tahoe City’s Golf Course, some worked as fishermen on Lake Tahoe. Others found employment in the rapidly developing timber industry that supported the Virginia City silver mines. The Union Army needed silver during the Civil War.

The first post office opened in 1871, as did the new, opulent Grand Central Hotel. This put Tahoe City on the map. The stagecoach used the toll road connecting Tahoe City and Truckee. You could visit the Custom House Saloon on the end of the 100-foot-long Tahoe City pier. From there you could hop on the steamer, Tod Goodwin, for a trip to other points around Lake Tahoe.

Sadly, a fire destroyed the Grand Central in 1895.

Notable People
A.J. Bayley - Proprietor of Grand Central Hotel • Sam Bethell - Surveyed Tahoe City townsite • William "Bill" Boyle - Commercial fisherman • Joseph B. Campbell - Saloon keeper (Custom House) and Postmaster • John C. Chesrown - Built first pier and Custom House Saloon

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• John Huntington - Builder of toll road to Truckee • Manuel J. King - Built Tahoe City Hotel, became Grand Central Hotel • William Pomin - Owner of Tahoe House Hotel and Saloon • Joseph A. Todman - Captain of Steamer Tod Goodwin • Wert Tong - Proprietor of first meat market • Col. Alexis Von Schmidt - Built first dams on Truckee River

Erected 2008 by Rotory Club of Tahoe City.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 39° 10.292′ N, 120° 8.4′ W. Marker is in Tahoe City, California, in Placer County. Marker can be reached from North Lake Boulevard (State Highway 26), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at Heritage Plaza next to the Watson Cabin Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 560 North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City CA 96145, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneer Tourism, 1896 to 1926 (here, next to this marker); Southern Pacific, 1926 to 1945 (here, next to this marker); Post War, 1946 to 1955 (here, next to this marker); Olympic Silver, 1956 to 1971 (here, next to this marker); Early Tahoe City (a few steps from this marker); Tahoe City (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 16, 2010

2. Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895 Marker

Tahoe City’s “Big Tree” (a few steps from this marker); The Watson Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tahoe City.

Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895 Marker and Heritage Plaza Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 16, 2010

3. Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895 Marker and Heritage Plaza Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.