Donner Monument
California State Historic Landmark 134
05/24/97
#134 Donner Party
Near this spot stood the Breen cabin of the party of emigrants who started for
California from Springfield, Illinois, in April, 1846, under the leadership of Captain George
Donner. Delays occurred and when the party reached this locality, on October 29, the Truckee Pass
emigrant road was concealed by snow. The height of the shaft of the monument indicated the depth
of the snow, which was twenty-two feet. After futile efforts to cross the summit the party was
compelled to encamp for the winter. The Graves cabin was situated about three-quarters of a mile
to the eastward, the Murphy cabin about two hundred yards southwest of the monument, and the
Donner tents were at the head of Alder Creek. Ninety people in the party and forty-two perished,
most of them from starvation and exposure.
05/24/97
Donner Memorial SP, Old Hwy 40 (Donner Pass Rd) at I-80 and Truckee exit, Truckee.
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