Information about California state historical landmarks in Alpine County,
Northern California.
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Ebbetts Pass Route
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 318
LOCATION: State Route 4, 18 miles SW of Markleeville, Toiyabe National Forest
DESCRIPTION:
The Emigrant Trail through Ebbetts Pass was discovered by, and named after,
John Ebbetts. The route was was opened in the early 1850s,
but no wagon road went that way until 1864, when a toll road named
the Carson Valley and Big Tree Road, was completed to help open up the
Comstock Lode in Nevada.
RESOURCES:
-
Sierra Nevada Geotourism "Ebbetts Pass Route" Article
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Kit Carson Marker
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 315
LOCATION: State Route 88, Carson Pass, 15 miles west of woodfords
DESCRIPTION:
n this spot, the summit of the Kit Carson Pass, stood the
Kit Carson Tree on which the famous scout Kit Carson inscribed his
name in 1844 when he guided the then Captain John C. Frémont, head of a
government exploring expedition, over the Sierra Nevada. The original
inscription was cut from the tree in 1888 and is now in Sutter's Fort,
Sacramento.
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Marklee's Cabin Site
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 240
LOCATION: State Route 89 at Water Street, County Courthouse, Markleeville
DESCRIPTION:
Jacob J. Marklee recorded his land claim of 160 acres on June 23, 1862,
in Douglas County, Nevada, but after the boundary survey his claim was in
California. During the rush to the Comstock Lode, the town of Markleeville
was built upon Marklee's land - the Alpine County Courthouse now occupies
the site of his cabin.
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Old Emigrant Road
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 661
LOCATION: State Route 88, Caples Lake, 173 miles west of Woodfords
DESCRIPTION:
Here the Old Emigrant Road of 1848 swung down across the meadow now
covered by Caples Lake (Twin Lakes) and climbed along the ridge at
the right to the gap at the head of the valley. From this 9,460 foot summit
it descended to Placerville. This rough and circuitous
section became obsolete in 1863 when a better route was blasted out
of the face of the cliff at Carson Spur.
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Pioneer Odd Fellows Memorial
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 378
LOCATION: State Route 88, 14 miles west of Woodfords, Carson Pass
DESCRIPTION:
On some large rocks near Carson Pass, a group of pioneers inscribed their
names and the emblem of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1849.
HISTORIC LANDMARK NAME: Pony Express Remount Station
HISTORIC LANDMARK ID: 805
LOCATION: Old Pony Express Way, Woodfords Station
DESCRIPTION:
Woodfords became a remount station of the Pony Express on April 4, 1860,
when Warren Upson scaled the mountains in a blinding snowstorm and made
his way down the eastern slope of the Sierra on his way to Carson City.
Five weeks later the Pony Express was rerouted by way of Echo Summit
and Luther Pass.
Resources
California Historic Preservation: Alpine County
Wikipedia: Alpine County State Historical Landmarks
Alpine County Travel Guide
High Sierras of California
Gold Country of California
Northern California Travel Guide
