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

Reynold’s House

Point of Historical Interest

By Syd Whittle, August 29, 2008

1. Reynold’s House Marker

Inscription. About 200 yards offshore, in what was once Silver Valley lies the Reynold’s House. This house appears on an 1878 General Land Office map and was probably one of the many road houses along the route that catered to tourists and travelers. Reynold’s House was located near the crossroads of the Old Emigrant Trail (1849) and Big Trees-Carson Valley Road which replaced this section of the trail in 1866. Silver Valley was prematurely named in 1855 after a nearby “silver mine”. Unfortunately the ore deposit turned out to be what the “old timers” called plumbago, or lead. The lake was first created in 1892.

Erected by U.S. Forest Service.

Location. 38° 28.678′ N, 120° 0.13′ W. Marker is near Bear Valley, California, in Alpine County. Marker can be reached from Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 4). Touch for map. Marker is located at the boat launching dock at Lake Alpine across the highway from Lake Alpine Lodge. Marker may only be seen during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall as the highway is closed during the Winter. Marker is in this post office area: Arnold CA 95223, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bedrock Mortars (approx. 0.2 miles

By Syd Whittle, August 29, 2008

2. Reynold’s House Marker

Lake Alpine is in the background

away); Old Emigrant Road (approx. 2.7 miles away); Harry Schimke (approx. 2.8 miles away); Camp Tamarack (approx. 4.8 miles away); Hermit Valley (approx. 7.3 miles away); The Last Battle (approx. 10.3 miles away); Route of the Bartleson-Bidwell Party - 1841 (approx. 10.3 miles away); Ebbetts Pass (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear Valley.

Regarding Reynold’s House. Also see: Old Emigrant Road (Bear Valley) and Hermit Valley markers

Also see . . . Calaveras History - Big Trees-Carson Valley Road/Emigrant Trail. (Submitted on August 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California.)

Categories. • Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers •

Big Trees Carson Valley Turnpike Tolls image. Click for full size.

By Syd Whittle, August 23, 2010

3. Big Trees Carson Valley Turnpike Tolls

This sign is on display at the Calaveras County Historical Society Museum in San Andreas, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page has been viewed 1,676 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 3. submitted on August 23, 2010, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.