Near La Porte in Plumas County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lexington Ski Hill

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 7, 2013

1. Lexington Ski Hill Marker

Inscription.
Snow skiing was introduced to Plumas County in 1858. Skis were called “snow shoes” at the time. Skis were first used to travel to and from the mining camps. Sport skiing soon followed, and by 1863 became a “mania”. The first organized downhill ski races in the Sierra Nevada were held at this location, and many of the mining towns had teams that competed nearly every week during the winter months. The first skis were made of wood, were 12 feet long, and had a single leather strap to hold the foot in place. A single pole was used. Racers often reached speeds of 80 miles per hour.

Please help protect your American Heritage
On lands administered by the Forest Service, it is unlawful to excavate, remove, disturb, deface, or destroy any historic building, ruin, site, artifact, or object, or to collect, appropriate, excavate, damage, disturb, or destroy historic artifacts. Violators are subject to arrest. Conviction can carry criminal penalties of up to two years in prison and/or $500,000 in fines. ... Archaelogical (sic) Resources Protection Act of 1979

Erected by Plumas National Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 39°

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40.719′ N, 121° 0.587′ W. Marker is near La Porte, California, in Plumas County. Marker can be reached from Lexington Hill Road. Follow Lexington Hill Road until the pavement ends, then turn left on an unnamed dirt road. Continue about one half mile, making the first left-hand turn and proceed to the top of the hill. The marker is located on the tower. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Strawberry Valley CA 95981, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. La Porte (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lotta Crabtree (approx. 1.2 miles away); Emigrant Trail (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Union Hotel (approx. 1.4 miles away); Rabbit Creek House (approx. 1.4 miles away); John Conly & Co. Bankers (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cleve O’Rourke Memorial Stampmill (approx. 1.4 miles away); Frank D. Everts (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

Also see . . . "Dope Is King" "Long Live Longboards" - Plumas Ski Club. Club Website:
For the next twelve years races were held between various camps such as Onion Valley, Saw Pit, La Porte, Howland Flat, Port Wine and Gibsonville. In late 1866, the Alturas Snowshoe Club was formed at La Porte to reinvigorate and to bring about a modicum of respectability to the sport. In February, 1867, they held their first
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 7, 2013

2. Lexington Ski Hill Marker
formal race and It wasn't until ten years later that a similar ski meet was held in Norway. (Submitted on June 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Lexington Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 7, 2013

3. Lexington Hill

The first ski slope in the western United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.