Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Donner Party
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
1. Donner Party Marker
Near this spot stood the Breen cabin of the party of emigrants who started for California from Springfield, Illinois, in April 1846, under the leadership of Captain George Donner. Delays occurred and when the party reached this locality, on October 29, the Truckee Pass Emigrant Road was concealed by snow. The height of the shaft of the monument indicates the depth of the snow, which was twenty-two feet. After futile efforts to cross the summit the party was compelled to encamp for the winter. The Graves cabin was situated about three-quarters of a mile to the eastward, the Murphy cabin about two hundred yards southwest of the monument, and the Donner tents were at the head of Alder Creek. Ninety people were in the party and forty-two perished, most of them from starvation and exposure.
Erected 1918 by The Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West. June 6, 1918. (Marker Number 134.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 39° 19.431′ N, 120° 13.863′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. Marker can be reached from 12593 Donner Pass Road. Marker is located at the Donner Memorial State Park, northeast of the museum building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Truckee CA 96160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Schallenberger Cabin Site (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Donner Party (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Emigrant Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Permanent Emigrant Trail Markers (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Gateway Cabin (approx. 0.9 miles away); Rocking Stone (approx. 2.3 miles away); World War I Memorial / Victory Highway Monument (approx. 2.4 miles away); Old Truckee Jail (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.
More about this marker. Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
2. Marker on Front of Donner Monument
Virile to risk and find; Kindly withal and a ready help; Facing the brunt of fate; Indomitable - Unafraid
This site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No.134)
Regarding Donner Party. Nowhere is there a more stirring account of the American Pioneer spirit than the history of the Donner Party, who emigrated to California in 1846-47. This party of eighty-nine men, women and children suffered unbelievable hardships, and death to almost half their group, in their quest to settle in California. They chose a "shortcut" on their way to California that cost them time and half their cattle and oxen. An early winter, that proved to be the worst in 30 years, trapped them without enough provisions. Half of those that set out on foot, to get help, perished along the way. Those who stayed waited four to five months for relief parties, and only survived by eating their oxen and, at the end, some by cannibalism. Their complete story is told at this memorial park.
Source: Discover California By Geo.& Jan Roberts
Also see: Elitha Cumi Donner-Wilder marker in Sacramento County, California
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Donner Party Markers at both ends of their trail.
Also see . . .
1. The Donner Party Diary. In addition to telling the full story of the Donner Party
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
3. The Back of the Donner Monument Displaying the Marker
2. Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Donner Party. (Submitted on September 19, 2008.)
Additional commentary.
1. National Historic Landmark Statement of Significance (as of designation - January 20, 1961):
In the winter of 1846-47, a group of 89 California-bound emigrants led by Jacob and George Donner was trapped by the heavy snows of the High Sierra. Bitter cold and dwindling food supplies reduced the wagon train to a group of desperate individuals unable to cooperate, driven to terror and degradation. Four relief expeditions eventually rescued 47 of the party.
— Submitted November 30, 2008.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
4. National Historic Landmark Plaque
Has been designated a
Registered National Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illistrating the history of the United States
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
5. Donner Party Monument
1918 bronze by John A. MacQuarrie (1871–1944) is 16 feet tall on a 22 foot base. Although the sculpture is dedicated to all the early pioneers of the 1840s, it has become inextricably bound to the poignant and tragic fate of the Donner party who suffered and perished on this site.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
6. Close-Up of Sculpture on Monument
The sculpture depicts a pioneer family striding westward in a representation of the pioneer spirit. Caption on this and previous photo from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database.
Distributed by Reno News Agency, Reno Nevada
7. Vintage Postcard - Donner Monument
Photographed By Unknown
8. Vintage Postcard - Donner Monument
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 20, 2008
9. Donner Party Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 7,335 times since then and 689 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2016, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9. submitted on January 26, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
