HISTORY , MUSEUMS , MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Museums
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Donner Memorial State Historic Park
HISTORY , MUSEUMS , MEMORIAL STATE PARK
TRUCKEE
H I S T O R Y / M U S E U M S
GOLD HAD NOT BEEN DISCOVERED when pioneers seeking a better life in the west came across a friendly Indian chief who guided them through the area near what is now the Town of Truckee . This encounter led to a route thousands of emigrants used to cross into the state between 1844 and 1854 .
Although the route was well established , it wasn ’ t until 1863 that the first pioneer settled in the area and built a stage coach station near the trail . Growth occurred in the late 1860s when the Central Pacific Railroad was laying track in the Sierra Nevada . Over 10,000 Chinese worked under dangerous conditions , and for a time , the area had the largest Chinatown on the west coast .
The first train arrived in 1868 . That year fire destroyed the town which was moved , rebuilt and named Truckee after the nearby river which had been named to honor the Indian chief . The town became so rowdy that a Vigilance Committee was formed to bring law and order .
Along with lumber , ice harvesting became an important part of the town ’ s economy . Using the railroad , ice was supplied to California and points east . In the 1890s , efforts were made to attract visitors during the cold winters . An ice palace with a toboggan run and ice rink was built , and Truckee ’ s tourist industry was born .
Museums
Railroad in Downtown Truckee
OLD JAIL MUSEUM : Jibboom and Spring Streets . Built in 1875 , see what a jail from the old west was like . Exhibits on Truckee ’ s film industry and ice harvesting , also early winter sports artifacts . Pick up a sandwich or snack and enjoy the garden behind jail . Open each weekend in summer until Labor Day , 11:00 am – 4:00 pm . Joseph Research Center , 10115 Donner Trail Rd . ( 530 ) 582-0893 ; truckeehistory . org
TRUCKEE RAILROAD MUSEUM : Commercial Row , Old Town . Located in a caboose , brings local railroad history to life . Open Saturday , Sunday and major holidays , 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and “ Truckee Thursdays .” truckeedonnerrailroadsociety . com
WESTERN SKISPORT MUSEUM : Boreal Ski Resort , I-80 at Donner Summit . Ski history . Open Friday – Sunday , 10:00 am – 4:00 pm during ski season . ( 530 ) 426-3313 x101 ; auburnskiclub . com
20 MILE MUSEUM : Drive Old Hwy . 40 from I- 80 Eagle Lakes exit over Donner Summit and below Rainbow Bridge . Forty interpretive signs highlight history and beauty of area . Link to route and maps under History at donnersummithistoricalsociety . org .
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WAYDE CARROLL
NIKKI COMBS
Donner Memorial State Historic Park
Must Do !
Two miles west of Truckee just off I-80 at Exit 184 is a state park located on Donner Lake . Visitors will find a wide range of recreational opportunities including camping , picnicking , hiking and cross country skiing , and the Pioneer Monument completed in 1918 to honor those who crossed the Sierra Nevada . Park open year around sunrise to sunset .
VISITORS CENTER : Features exhibits that tell stories of the emigrant experience , the Donner Party ( more on Page 127 ), local Native Americans , Chinese construction of the transcontinental railroad , as well as motoring adventures over Donner Pass . Open daily , 10:00 am – 5:00 pm . Closed Thanksgiving , Christmas , New Year ’ s Day . ( 530 ) 582-7892
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