• Some Local Links
  Explore Donner Summit .com
  Donner Summit Area Association
  Serene Lakes Property Owners' Association
  Truckee Donner Railroad Society
  Tuckee Donner Historical Society
  Clair Tappaan Lodge
  Colfax Area Historical Society
  Historic Donner Trail Committee
  Sierra Nevada Geotourism
  Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society

They Came for the Same Reasons We Do

"The air has a fresh crispness about it that gives a new life to the visitor whether he has come from the fertile plains or the foggy city. And no wonder, for though this be called Summit Valley, there are seven thousand feet between you and sea level. Seven thousand feet nearer heaven and so much nearer purity. It is a relief to….look up to the stars, nowhere brighter than here, with only the dark pines closing in the distance… The air redolent with the perfume of fresh grass and wild flowers; and aromatic with pine needles. It is a physical pleasure to breathe, a 'delight to exist'… It is small wonder that a millionaire [Mark Hopkins]… should confess to be happier and healthier here than in the handsomest house on California Street. Nob Hill, to the sierras indeed."

California Spirit of the Times magazine June 13, 1885 pg 3-4

Donner Summit is a fascinating place for lots of reasons but especially historically. It has been visited by humans for thousands of years (see our petroglyph page). It is the site of the first transcontinental highway (the Lincoln Highway) and the first transcontinental railroad. It has been a hive of activities including many different industries: agriculture, sawmills, forestry, mink farming, ice harvesting (See the Ice in Ice Lake), dairy cattle, railroading, highway maintenance, tourism, and the ski industry. The rescued members of the Donner Party crossed Donner Summit right at the Summit. For a quick introduction to Donner Summit in PDF form with lots of pictures click here.

It is because of the fascinating history and stories that the Donner Summit Historical Society was formed. The purpose "is to offer lectures, seminars, and field trips that will help the community learn the history of Donner Summit and the surrounding area, and to collect and display artifacts relative to the history, and to carry on other educational and charitable activities associated with this purpose" (from our articles of incorporation, December, 2007). The historical society is a 501(c)3 entity.

We hope you who are looking at this website will participate in our efforts or at least enjoy what we have to offer. If you have items you would like to lend or donate so the public can enjoy and learn from them, please let us know by contacting us. We will happily take any contributions to enable our work and accomplish our dream.

Check This Out: 20 Mile Museum is on the Nat'l Geographic GeoTourism map

Fun 1st Annual Margie Powell Memorial History Hike 8/4/12

Heritage Trail coming again - tour 18 Placer County museums August 11-12

Subscribe to The Heirloom - Free monthly newsletter full of Donner Summit history === Send us your email address.

The Heirloom for May, 12 Tunel 6 today - introduction to the next few months; Tunnel 6 Portolio; Tunnel 6 Central Shaft; San Francisco to New York by Railroad, 1870; Alder Creek Trail by Marshall Fey (the Donners) ;from the DSHS Archives; Then and Now with Art clark; 20 Mile Museum on the Nat'l Geographic Geotourism map --- 16 pages!!

Take Scenic Highway 40 instead of Interstate 80

Norm Sayler, President
P.O. 1 Norden, CA 95724
contact us: email or our contact page