New 20 Mile Museum Signs for 2011
Our original signs did not hold up to torrential downpours and 7000 foot elevation UV radiation. For 2011 we redid 22 signs that have brilliant color and are guaranteed to last 10 years.
We are also adding a few signs: Petroglyphs (described above), Forest Gift Shop (stone buildings at Cisco), the Airway Station and Beacon (for the first transcontinental air route which went over Donner Summit), Cal Lodge, and the Tri Lodges. You can see them here.
New 2011 DSHS Poster ready for sale. The posters come in 12X18 and 24X36 sizes and are available at the DSHS in downtown Soda Springs or at the Soda Springs Store. The poster celebrates the "firsts" of Donner Summit: first wagon trains to California, the first transcontinental RR, the first transcontinental highway, and the first transcontinental air route.
You can see a larger version on our 2011 paster page.
Our original signs did not hold up to torrential downpours and 7000 foot elevation UV radiation. For 2011 we redid 22 signs that have brilliant color and are guaranteed to last 10 years.
We are also adding a few signs: Petroglyphs (described above), Forest Gift Shop (stone buildings at Cisco), the Airway Station and Beacon (for the first transcontinental air route which went over Donner Summit), Cal Lodge, and the Tri Lodges. You can see them here.
New 2011 DSHS Poster ready for sale. The posters come in 12X18 and 24X36 sizes and are available at the DSHS in downtown Soda Springs or at the Soda Springs Store. The poster celebrates the "firsts" of Donner Summit: first wagon trains to California, the first transcontinental RR, the first transcontinental highway, and the first transcontinental air route.You can see a larger version on our 2011 paster page.
Above: Rainbow Tavern and Trout Farm. People could fish for trout right outside the hotel and have their fish cooked. Today the Trout Farm is a lawn.
Below: Outiside the Soda Springs Hotel on Highway 40. People parked all along the highway and then went skiiing and patronized buisnesses.
Below: Outiside the Soda Springs Hotel on Highway 40. People parked all along the highway and then went skiiing and patronized buisnesses.
Elementary Students Design a Sign
Fourth and Fifth grade students at the Sierra Expeditionary School in Truckee have taken on one of the 2011 signs for the 20 Mile Museum.
They did research and designed the Petroglyph sign to be placed on Old Highway 40 at the curve below Rainbow Bridge.
In the Fall of 2010 they visited the area, explored the petroglyphs, China Wall, Rainbow Bridge and the Stephens Party (first wagon train over the Sierra - 1844). You can see the sign.
Truckee Donner Land Trust Acquires Summit Canyon
The Truckee Donner Land Trust has acquired Summit Canyon below Donner Pass. This parcel contains the old Lincoln Highway and Dutch Flat Wagon Rd. (1864) and is open to the public. See the article and maps from our October, '11 newsletter.
Antique Rotary Clears the Tracks
March 29, 2011 an old Southern Pacific Rotary cleared the tracks over the Summit after the tracks had been closed for 5 days. It was an exciting day for train buffs and passersby. See a gallery.
