Bear Valley in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Emigrant Road

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 7, 2007

1. Old Emigrant Road Marker

Inscription. This Sierra Crossing used by Jedediah Smith 1821 - Major John Ebbetts 1850 - Snowshoe Thompson 1856-76 - Gold Seekers 1850's. Old road left Carson Pass Road in Hope Valley, crossed Border Ruffian Pass to Hermit Valley, Pacific Summit and through Bear Valley to Big Trees. Big Trees Carson Valley Turnpike Co. built toll road over Ebbetts Pass to Silver Mountain in 1860's. Harvey Blood collected tolls at this point from 1864-1910.

Erected 1964 by Matucca Chapter, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 38° 27.609′ N, 120° 2.847′ W. Marker is in Bear Valley, California, in Alpine County. Marker can be reached from Station House Road just west of Toll Gate Road. Marker is on Station House Road which parallels State Highway 4/Ebbetts Pass Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arnold CA 95223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Harry Schimke (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Tamarack (approx. 2.1 miles away); Reynold’s House (approx. 2.7 miles away);

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Bedrock Mortars (approx. 2.9 miles away); Hermit Valley (approx. 10 miles away); The Last Battle (approx. 10½ miles away); Route of the Bartleson-Bidwell Party - 1841 (approx. 10½ miles away); Plasse Resort (approx. 13 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear Valley.

Additional commentary.
1. From the Journal of William H. Brewer
Murphys, California, August 13, 1863: “Recent reputed discoveries of silver ore at Silver Mountain, just east of the crest, on the head-waters of the Carson river, near Ebbetts Pass, have caused much excitement. An old immigrant road over the mountains, via the Big Trees, runs within ten or twelve miles of it and now, suddenly, travel is poring over this route. A stage runs part of the way until the road becomes very rough; then a “saddle train” with a few pack animals takes the passengers and their luggage to the promised land. At Silver Valley [now the site of Lake Alpine] the stages stop and the “saddle trains” start.”

Source: Alpine Heritage-A Hundred Years of History*Recreation*Lore
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 7, 2007

2. Old Emigrant Road Marker
in Alpine County 1864-1964 by The Centennial Book Committee, Alpine County Museum

— Submitted November 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,082 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.