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| Landmark #719 | Sacramento County | Visited: March 21, 2015 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | There’s a sign courteously placed outside the cemetery where Elitha is buried! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This survivor of the ill-fated Donner party was the daughter of George and Mary Blue Donner. Born near Springfield, Illinois in 1832, she arrived in California in December 1846 with her sister, Leanna Charity Donner, and was rescued by the first relief party to reach the tragic scene. Married to Benjamin W. Wilder in 1853, she died on July 4, 1923, survived by her sister and two children.
OTHER TIDBITS: Elitha’s father was actually the leader of the Donner party! She experienced the horrors of the Sierra winter at the tender age of 13. She married twice, first to Perry McCoon in 1847 and then to Benjamin Wilder in 1853, with whom she had six children, four of whom, she lost. Though she experienced many horrors and sorrows, Elitha pressed on to the ripe old age of 91! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Elk Grove Masonic Cemetery Row C, Lot 2 Elk Grove Blvd Elk Grove, CA 95624 ANNOTATIONS: 8540 Elk Grove Blvd From Los Angeles: ~372mi (599km) — 6.2hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
Elitha Cumins Donner was a very brave young girl of 13, married at 14, lived to 91, despite very arduous conditions crossing the prairies and Sierra Mountains. We honor her!