We Salute John “Snowshoe” Thompson / A Tribute From Three Luther
We Salute John “Snowshoe” Thompson
On his homemade snowshoes John carried the mail and supplies over the snowy Sierras for 20 winters. As he traveled, he saved the lives of seven people who were snowbound in mountain cabins. In 1866, after this tall Norwegian became an American citizen, he homesteaded a 160 acre ranch in Diamond Valley. Respected by all who knew him, John was elected to the Alpine County Board of Supervisors.
A Tribute From Three Lutheran Churches
Atraa Lutheran Church in Telemark, Norway, -- Where John was baptized, and the two Wisconsin Churches where John worshipped with his family: Historic old Muskego Lutheran Church and Springdale Lutheran Church in Mt. Horeb. Then Snowshoe joined the rush to California. Though he found no gold, Snowshoe Thompson became famous as the “Mailman of Sierras who brought skiing to the West.”
From Fellow Lutherans of America and Scandinanvia
Marker can be reached from Jacks Valley Road (Nevada Route 206).
Courtesy hmdb.org
