Near Imlay in Pershing County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Applegate - Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 5, 2013

1. Applegate - Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff Marker

Inscription. Jesse and Lindsay Applegate headed south from Williamette Valley, Oregon, June 29, 1846, seeking a less hazardous route to that region from the east. On July 21, they came to a large meadow on the Humboldt River, what is now the nearby Rye Patch Reservoir. Thus they established the Applegate Trail.

During the remainder of 1846 and for the next two years, Oregon emigrants successfully travelled this trail.

In 1848, Peter Lassen, hoping to bring emigrants to his ranch, acted as a guide to a party of 10 to 12 wagons bound for California. He followed a route from here to Goose Lake where he turned southward over terrain that was barely passable. The emigrants suffered great hardships: many lives and livestock were lost. It became known as the "Death Route".

Erected by Nevada Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology and Dail E. Turney. (Marker Number 49.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Applegate Trail, and the Lassen Trail and Burnett Cutoff series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1866.

Location. 40° 39.135′ N, 118° 9.943′ W. Marker is near Imlay, Nevada, in Pershing

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County. Marker is at the intersection of Frontage Road and Lake Road, on the right when traveling west on Frontage Road. Marker is located on the I-80 Frontage Road approx. one mile west of Imlay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Imlay NV 89418, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Reunion in Unionville (approx. 14.2 miles away); Beautiful Jumble (approx. 14.6 miles away).

Also see . . . New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers in Nevada. The Nevada SHPO placed the amended text of each individual marker on its website and will change the actual markers in the field as funding allows. Minor changes have been made to the marker for grammar and readability. The link will take you to the Nevada SHPO page for the marker with the amended text. (Submitted on November 12, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 5, 2013

2. Applegate - Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff Marker

Frontage Road / Lake Road Intersection image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 5, 2013

3. Frontage Road / Lake Road Intersection

Rye Patch Reservoir is located several miles behind the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.