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| Landmark #134 | Nevada County | Visited: July 11, 2015 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A tall monument topped by statues of members of the Donner Party! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Commemorates the ill-fated Donner party of California-bound emigrants, who wintered here in 1846-1847, many died of exposure and starvation.
OTHER TIDBITS: The Donner and Reed families started their westward trek three years before the Gold Rush, when routes were still being shaped, and they had the misfortune to read a book called The Emigrants’ Guide to Oregon and California by Lansford Hastings. This book described a shortcut that would save them 300 miles, but unfortunately, Mr. Hastings had never actually seen this route! That route led them through the Wasatch Mountains and across the Great Salt Lake Desert, where they had to abandon livestock and supplies, ultimately to the settlement of Truckee, where they decided to rest for six days. In that six days, winter struck, and they became snowbound not far from this monument. Having lost most of their supplies, and being unable to hunt or fish, the families trudged desperately through the snow as the elements picked off their party members one by one. Many survivors were forced to eat their deceased friends and relatives! They were trapped here from October through February, when banished party member, James Reed, brought a rescue party to find them. Of the original 91 party members, 49 survived the winter! One of the facts normally left out of their story is that the local Wel Mel Ti tribe tried to bring them food multiple times but were shot at as they approached. Later, when they saw people eating other people, they stayed away out of fear for their lives! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Donner Memorial State Park Old Hwy 40 at I-80 and Truckee exit Truckee, CA 96161 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~482mi (776km) — 8.1hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open from sunrise to sunset! |
