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

Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, September 2, 2014

1. Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party Marker

Inscription. In 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party became the first wagon party to cross the Sierra Nevada. A portion of the group spent the winter nearby along the Yuba River, before continuing to Sutter's Fort in the spring of 1845. Their pioneering effort marked the opening of the Truckee Route of the California Trail.

Erected 1994 by Tahoe National Forest, Nevada and Placer County Hist. Societies, Oregon Calif. Trails Assoc., Truckee Donner Hist. Soc., Sierra State Park Assc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, and the Truckee Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

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. 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

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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: Overland Emigrant Trail (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 (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.

More about this marker. This marker and a marker for the Overland Emigrant Trail are located in front of the Big Bend Visitor Center.

Also see . . . Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party. The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy
Photographed by Alvis Hendley

2. Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party Marker
This marker and a marker for the Overland Emigrant Trail are located in front of the Big Bend Visitor Center.
party was a well organized party consisting of ten families who were seeking a better future for themselves in California. The fifty member group left Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 22, 1844. They left with a larger group of Oregon bound settlers in a group of forty wagons. (Submitted on June 29, 2016.)

South Yuba River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, September 2, 2014

3. South Yuba River

Some members of the party spent the winter of 1844 near here.

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 840 times since then and 43 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.