Anaheim in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Steam Donkey
Photographed By Denise Boose, May 11, 2012
1. The Steam Donkey Marker
Inscription.
The Steam Donkey. . How the Dolbeer Donkey steam engine got its name is one of the real mysteries of the West. Some folks say it was called a "donkey" because loggers thought it was too puny to merit a horsepower rating. Invented by John Dolbeer, this portable steam engine first appeared in the redwoods near Eureka, California in 1881. The tiny, but mighty machine could be hauled to remote mountaintops and equaled the power of many horses, mules and oxen to reel in huge logs. A few steam donkeys still stand in north coast towns as a tribute to the ingenuity of California's early inventors.
How the Dolbeer Donkey steam engine got its name is one of the real mysteries of the West. Some folks say it was called a "donkey" because loggers thought it was too puny to merit a horsepower rating. Invented by John Dolbeer, this portable steam engine first appeared in the redwoods near Eureka, California in 1881. The tiny, but mighty machine could be hauled to remote mountaintops and equaled the power of many horses, mules and oxen to reel in huge logs. A few steam donkeys still stand in north coast towns as a tribute to the ingenuity of California's early inventors.
Location. 33° 48.429′ N, 117° 55.275′ W. Marker is in Anaheim, California, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Disneyland Drive. Marker is located next to the Grizzly River Run within the Disney California Adventure Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim CA 92802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pelton Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); Carthay Circle Theatre (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafitte's Anchor
Steam Donkey Photo courtesy of Humboldt State University
6. Photo Displayed on Marker
John Dolbeer photo courtsey of The Bancroft Library - University of California, Berkeley
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2012. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 27, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 14, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.