Historical Markers of Washoe County & Reno
- HM 4 - junction House (First Settlement)
- HM 18 - Pyramid Lake
- HM 24 - Olinghouse
- HM 29 - Chinese in Nevada
- HM 30 - Reno
- HM 43 - Derby Diversion Dam
- HM 62 - Truckee River -- West
- HM 63 - Truckee River -- East
- HM 68 - Wadsworth
- HM 79 - Civil War Plot
- HM 81 - Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Tree
- HM 88 - Sparks
- HM 94 - The Winters Ranch (Rancho Del Sierra)
- HM 114 - Franktown
- HM 128 - The Great Train Robbery
- HM 148 - The Two Battles of Pyramid Lake
- HM 149 - High Rock Canyon
- HM 152 - Gerlach
- HM 166 - Bowers Mansion
- HM 169 - Glendale School
- HM 189 - Southern Pacific Railroad Yards
- HM 191 - Verdi
- HM 198 - Steamboat Springs
- HM 210 - Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot
- HM 211 - Old Geiger Grade (In Canyon Below)
- HM 212 - Galena
- HM 218 - Geiger Station (Magnolia House)
- HM 220 - The Fight of the Century
- HM 221 - Sand Harbor
- HM 227 - Lake Mansion
- HM 230 - Mount Rose Weather Observatory
- HM 234 - Moana Springs
- HM 238 - Huffaker's
- HM 240 - Coney Island
- HM 245 - Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps (June 2, 1882 - February 11, 1969)
- HM 246 - The Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada
- HM 247 - Site of Nevada's First Public Library
- HM 248 - Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way
- HM 253 - Emigrant-Donner Camp
- HM 256 - Historic Transportation...
- HM 265 - Governor Emmet Derby Boyle
- HM 267 - Galena Creek Fish Hatchery
Nevada Landmarks Home Page
*HM 62*
-- Truckee River -- West --
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Location: Western Washoe County, Mogul
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Date Conquered: 8/14/07
Quick Description: A marker honoring the importance of the Truckee River.
Signed: Yes -- Signed as an Interstate exit not a typical SHPO sign.
NOTES: The only way to access this marker is by traveling the eastbound lanes of I-80. Since most people will be coming from Reno, the only way to get to this marker is to get off at Exit 4, then circle around and jump back onto the interstate. Within a 1/2 mile, you'll see an exit for this landmark reading "Historical Marker".
#62 is the last Nevada Historic Marker on westbound Interstate 80
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Full Description:
Exact description as read:
In prehistoric and early historic times, the Truckee River Valley in vicinity of Verdi was occupied by the Washo Indians. Their camps were on these flats near the river. Many fish blinds were located nearby for their use in this important subsistence activity. Even an earlier population left its mark in the form of petroglyphs on boulders in the area.
The Truckee River runs from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake and was first discovered by Captain John C. Frémont in January, 1844.
The Stephens-Murphy-Townsend Party in 1844 also followed the Truckee River into the Sierra and crossed the mountains via Donner Pass. The ill-fated Donner Party rested on the Truckee Meadows, at present Reno, but they tarried too long and were caught by the Sierra snows. Despite the Donner tragedy, many emigrant trains to California, particularly from 1849 until 1852, traversed the Truckee route.
In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad followed the Truckee's course. From the 1920's to the 1950's, the surrounding meadows echoed to the heavy exhausts of the giant Southern Pacific, cab-ahead, articulated steam locomotives. During the same period, the primitive emigrant trail and the early toll roads were developed into the Lincoln and Victory Highways, and then into U.S. 40 and I-80, today's freeway.
A better location for this marker would be further up the Interstate along Quilici Ranch Rd. Along Quilici, the Truckee River is much more accessible and provides a better perspective of the river's size and importance.
