Verdi in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
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The Great Train Robbery
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 3, 2013
1. The Great Train Robbery Marker
Inscription.
The Great Train Robbery. . The Wests first train robbery occurred near this site on the night of November 4, 1870. Five men, led by a stage robberSunday school superintendent, John Chapman, boarded the Central Pacific Overland Express at Verdi, Nevada. Two took over the engine, one the express car, and two the rear platform. One half mile east, the engine and express car were halted and cut free, then proceeded about five miles where they were stopped by a barricade. Here the robbers forced the messenger to open up. Seizing $41,600 in gold coin, they rode off. The uncoupled cars coasted down grade and met the engine. The train proceeded to Reno. After a two state chase all were caught, tried, and convicted, about ninety percent of the gold was recovered.
The Wests first train robbery occurred near this site on the night of November 4, 1870. Five men, led by a stage robberSunday school superintendent, John Chapman, boarded the Central Pacific Overland Express at Verdi, Nevada. Two took over the engine, one the express car, and two the rear platform. One half mile east, the engine and express car were halted and cut free, then proceeded about five miles where they were stopped by a barricade. Here the robbers forced the messenger to open up. Seizing $41,600 in gold coin, they rode off. The uncoupled cars coasted down grade and met the engine. The train proceeded to Reno. After a two state chase all were caught, tried, and convicted, about ninety percent of the gold was recovered.
Erected by Nevada State Park System & E Clampus Vitus, Snowshoe Thomson Chapter 1827. (Marker Number 128.)
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. A significant historical date for this entry is November 4, 1860.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 31.048′ N,
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119° 59.303′ W. Marker was in Verdi, Nevada, in Washoe County. It was at the intersection of South Verdi Road and Bridge Street, on the left when traveling east on South Verdi Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 620 South Verdi Road, Verdi NV 89439, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Sierra Nevada, in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and in Greater Reno Area. It was also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,347 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
