Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley / Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner

Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012

1. Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley Marker

Inscription.

Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley, also, Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner. . Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley. In the Fall of 1846, 25 Members of The Donner Party became Trapped by an Early Snowstorm here at Alder Creek Valley. The George and Jacob Donner Families, their Teamsters, and Fellow Travelers Suffered Extreme Hardship and Starvation. They Spent the Winter Here Cut Off from the Rest of Their Party who Camped at Donner Lake. Only 11 Survived the Ordeal. Their Survival, Against Desperate Odds, Stands as a Testament to the Enduring Pioneer Spirit the Helped Shape the Future of California. Dedicated on September 28, 1996 by the Tahoe National Forest to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Donner Party Tradgedy. Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner. They gave unselfishly, their fortunes and their lives that their children should survive.. Near this site, in the winter of 1846, two pioneer women gave up their lives for their families. Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner feared their many children could not survive the ravages of cold and starvation when the party was caught in an early blizzard. They provided care and comfort to their families and companions throughout the snowbound winter, desperately trying to prevent the death of their loved ones. Both lost their lives. However, most of their children survived to carry their mothers’ dreams of new life and new beginnings to the valleys of California. The summit that they never crossed now bears their family name., An inspiration to all who followed their footsteps across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we herein honor the memory and the sacrifices of these women. Their struggle to survive, enduring hardships we can barely imagine, remains a legacy of the pioneer spirit. On this the 150th anniversary of their tragic encampment, the Chief Truckee Chapter of E Clampus Vitus dedicates this monument to their spirit and the preservation of their memory that we not forget the sacrifices they made in opening California to its destiny.

Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley In the Fall of 1846, 25 Members of The Donner Party became Trapped by an Early Snowstorm here at Alder Creek Valley. The George and Jacob Donner Families, their Teamsters, and Fellow Travelers Suffered Extreme Hardship and Starvation. They Spent the Winter Here Cut Off from the Rest of Their Party who Camped at Donner Lake. Only 11 Survived the Ordeal. Their Survival, Against Desperate Odds, Stands as a Testament to the Enduring Pioneer Spirit the Helped Shape the Future of California.
Dedicated on September 28, 1996
by the Tahoe National Forest to Commemorate
the 150th Anniversary of the Donner Party Tradgedy
Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner They gave unselfishly, their fortunes and their lives that their children should survive.
Near this site, in the winter of 1846, two pioneer women gave up their lives for their families. Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner feared their many children could not survive the ravages of cold and starvation when the party was caught in an early blizzard. They provided care and comfort to their families and companions throughout the snowbound winter, desperately trying to prevent the death of their loved ones. Both lost their lives. However, most of their children

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survived to carry their mothers’ dreams of new life and new beginnings to the valleys of California. The summit that they never crossed now bears their family name.

An inspiration to all who followed their footsteps across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we herein honor the memory and the sacrifices of these women. Their struggle to survive, enduring hardships we can barely imagine, remains a legacy of the pioneer spirit. On this the 150th anniversary of their tragic encampment, the Chief Truckee Chapter of E Clampus Vitus dedicates this monument to their spirit and the preservation of their memory that we not forget the sacrifices they made in opening California to its destiny.

Erected 1996 by Tahoe National Forest and Chief Truckee Chapter, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 28, 1996.

Location. 39° 22.543′ N, 120° 10.849′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 89, 3½ miles north of Interstate 80, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Westward Ho! (within shouting distance of

Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012

2. Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner Marker

this marker); Surviving the Snowy Trek Out (within shouting distance of this marker); A Family Heads West (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fight to Stay Alive (about 500 feet away); The Nightmare Begins (about 600 feet away); Donner Camp Tree (about 600 feet away); Donner Camp Site (about 700 feet away); Shelter From the Storm (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. What Happened at Alder Creek - Excavating the Donner Party. A New Yorker April 24, 2006 article written by Dana Goodyear details the excavation of the Alder Creek Meadow where the Donners camped. (Submitted on October 15, 2012.)

2. Tamsen Donner Letters: From Dream to Legacy. The diminutive schoolteacher was an incredible bundle of energy, "scarce five feet tall and less than one hundred pounds." One of her friends described Tamozine (Tamsen) Donner as the "perfect type of eastern lady, kind, sociable and exemplary, ever ready to assist neighbors
Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012

3. Donner Party Camp at Alder Creek Valley and Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner Markers
and even strangers in distress." (Submitted on October 15, 2012.)

The Donner Campsite image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012

4. The Donner Campsite

Alder Creek Valley Meadow image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 14, 2012

5. Alder Creek Valley Meadow

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,158 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on October 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.