First Wagons Across the Sierras

The Stephens – Townsend – Murphy Party, with guidance from old Caleb Greenwood and Chief Truckee, brought their wagons up the Truckee River bed and on Nov. 25, 1844 191 days out of Council Bluffs, Iowa passed this point and crossed the mighty Sierra summit directly to the west, blazing the famous California Emigrant Trail for all who followed.

Marker is at the intersection of Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) and South Shore Drive, on the left when traveling west on Donner Pass Road.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources:

HMDB