Near Soda Springs in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Overland Emigrant Trail

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, September 2, 2014

1. Overland Emigrant Trail Marker

Inscription. It is estimated more than 30,000 settlers came into California over this trail in the year 1849. Near this site outcroppings of rocks still bear the marks of wagon wheels. For those travelers who reached this point the next ordeal was the tortuous descent into Bear Valley.

Erected 1976 by California Department of Parks and Recreation and Placer County Historical Society. (Marker Number 799-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 39° 18.366′ N, 120° 31.064′ W. Marker is near Soda Springs, California, in Placer County. It is on Hampshire Rocks Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in front of the Big Bend Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49685 Hampshire Rocks Road, Soda Springs CA 95728, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party (here, next to this marker); Big Bend (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Highway (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Lincoln Highway

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Rainbow Lodge (approx. half a mile away); Forest Gift Shop, Cisco Grove (approx. 1.4 miles away); Susan's Spot (approx. 1.4 miles away); Truckee Trail - Ascent to Lake and Valley (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Soda Springs.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, September 2, 2014

2. Overland Emigrant Trail Marker

Overland Emigrant Trail Marker and Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, September 2, 2014

3. Overland Emigrant Trail Marker and Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party Marker

The two markers are located under a large conifer in front of the Big Bend Visitor Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 575 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.