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Donner Summit is a fascinating place for lots of reasons but especially historically. It has been visited by humans for thousands of years (see our petroglyph page). It is the site of the first transcontinental highway (the Lincoln Highway) and the first transcontinental railroad. It has been a hive of activities including many different industries: agriculture, sawmills, forestry, mink farming, ice harvesting (See the Ice in Ice Lake), dairy cattle, railroading, highway maintenance, tourism, and the ski industry. The rescued members of the Donner Party crossed Donner Summit right at the Summit.
It is because of the fascinating history and stories that the Donner Summit Historical Society was formed. The purpose "is to offer lectures, seminars, and field trips that will help the community learn the history of Donner Summit and the surrounding area, and to collect and display artifacts relative to the history, and to carry on other educational and charitable activities associated with this purpose" (from our articles of incorporation, December, 2007). The historical society is a 501(c)3 entity.
We hope you who are looking at this website will participate in our efforts or at least enjoy what we have to offer. If you have items you would like to lend or donate so the public can enjoy and learn from them, please let us know by contacting us. We will happily take any contributions to enable our work and accomplish our dream.
It is because of the fascinating history and stories that the Donner Summit Historical Society was formed. The purpose "is to offer lectures, seminars, and field trips that will help the community learn the history of Donner Summit and the surrounding area, and to collect and display artifacts relative to the history, and to carry on other educational and charitable activities associated with this purpose" (from our articles of incorporation, December, 2007). The historical society is a 501(c)3 entity.
We hope you who are looking at this website will participate in our efforts or at least enjoy what we have to offer. If you have items you would like to lend or donate so the public can enjoy and learn from them, please let us know by contacting us. We will happily take any contributions to enable our work and accomplish our dream.
The historical society logo which is on each page of this site is Rainbow Bridge on old Highway 40 on Donner Summit. The real name is the Donner Summit Bridge and it was completed in 1926. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it was, at the time, built in a compound horizontal curve of 360 ft. with a 110 ft. open spandal arch. It was also the first bridge built with Federal Forest Highway Funds. The cost; $40,000.
The Logo was drawn by Nancy Oudegeest
The Logo was drawn by Nancy Oudegeest
Norm Sayler, President
Donner Summit Historical Society P.O. 1 Norden, CA 95724
Donner Summit Historical Society P.O. 1 Norden, CA 95724
| Your stories, documents, pictures - we'll send someone to you. |
| Someone to create a web gallery for published pictures |
| Someone to maintain indices for newsletter articles and photos |
| pictures of the aircraft beacon on Beacon Hill (now Soda Sprgs ski hill) |
| publicity person------- grant writer---------- computer |
| office assistant work: cataloging voluminous materials. |
to contact us: email contact or go to our contact page
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Get our free monthly newsletters covering Summit history. Send your email to us
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| The Osborn letter: summarizing an 1849 wagon trip across country |
| May newsletter: Reminiscences on Lake Mary, Emigrant Trail Rebuilding. |
| We've added indices for the pictures we've used in our newsletters and for the articles which have been in our newsletters |
| Donner Summit Area Association |
| Serene Lakes Property Owners' Association |
| Truckee Donner Railroad Society |
| Truckee Donner Historical Society |
