John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson

John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson. (Jon A. Torsteinson – Rue). Born: April 30, 1827, Tinn, Telemark, Norway , Emigrated to America from Norway: May 30, 1837 , Carried the mail: January 1856 – May 1876 (Twice a month - during the winter for 20 years.) , Distance: 90 miles between Placerville, Ca and Genoa, Nv , Buried: Genoa Cemetery. The gravesite headstone carving depicts a pair of crossed skis. , Traversing the mighty Sierra Mountain ridges on a pair of homemade long skis and using his single pole for balance ”Snowshoe” braved 20 to 50 foot snow depths, snowdrifts and blizzards – the mail must reach its destination. “Snowshoe” carried a mail bag weighing 50 to 100 lbs. strapped to his back. He carried crackers and dried beef for food, drank melted snow from his hand, and rested only when necessary during the three day trek from Placerville to Genoa. The mail was Genoa’s only contact with the outside world during the long winter months. , “Snowshoe” Thompson – A true hero of the West. Sculptor: Don Budy, , Town of Genoa Historian: Text by BJ Rightmire. , [Second Marker:] , This piece of granite is a gift from friends and relatives located in “Snowshoe” Thompson’s birthplace of Tinn, Telemark Norway., The statue sculpted by Don Budy and brick planter designed by Mel List are sponsored by and dedicated by the Greater Genoa Business Assoc. (GGBA), We greatly appreciate and thank our donors, especially , The Town of Genoa , The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes , The Nevada Division of State Parks, GGBA “Snowshoe” Thompson Committee , Bill and Lynne Bowersock . Marilyn Prestigiacomo . Mel and Bev Smith . Ted and Darlene Tiffany . Sue Knight . Jim and Carol Sessher . Jan Maas . Loraine Dix . Les Kynett, Ex Officio, Site Construction – The Genoa Company , Brickwork – Cliff Thompson , Dedicated June 23, 2001.