Echo Summit to Slippery Ford on the Lincoln Highway southern route, Part 3

Leaving Echo Summit on the old Lincoln Highway we continue our adventure west. Johnson Pass Road was the old highway, passing by the road to Echo Lake on the right. It was here that the American House roadhouse once stood during the 1800s. Later during the 1920s and 30s Echo Portals stood here. This was a resort with food and lodging as well as Echo Summits first rope tow for skiing. This resort went out of business with the arrival of the Great Depression in the early 1930s.

The early transcontinental driver making their way across the country might have used “strip maps” to guide them on their journey. In the above photo, we see one such “strip” of maps, which were originally produced by the Southern California Auto Association and is currently housed in the Library of Congress.

The California section from a strip map of the Lincoln Highway, 5th edition. Click map for a larger view.

In the above photo, we can see the California map that was part of the “strip maps” series showing the entire country. The above map is the California section of the maps. This map showed the 1913 Lincoln Highway route heading south from Sacramento towards Stockton and the Altamont Pass. In 1928 the Carquinez Bridge near Martinez was opened, and the newer, faster route was drawing in red by someone on the above map. You still would need to take a ferry from Berkely to San Francisco.

Phillips Station, just before it burned down around in 2019.

After passing the site of Phillips Station, and old stage stop and roadhouse, we come to Sierra Springs Road off to the right. As we can see in our Lincoln Highway interactive map, that road was the Lincoln Highway! Keep your eyes open for California “C” monuments, indicating this was a state highway. We have yet to find any, so maybe you’ll be the first! Go here to find out about “C” Monuments. Let us know if you find one, or two.

Edelweiss Ski Hill along Highway 50.

Just beyond the Sierra Springs alignment, we come to Sayle’s Flat, home of Camp Sacramento. The City of Sacramento has leased this land since the 1920s for recreation. Across from Camp Sacramento once stood Edelweiss, a small ski resort that once was the home of Spyder Sabich, a world-class skier. The above photo shows the ski resort in the 1950s. Eventually, low snow years and changing habits of skiers forced the closure of this place.

Looking towards Sayles Flat from the old Edelweiss Ski Resort Hill. Camp Sacramento is just out of view at left. You can see me lower left looking at the Trails West “T” Marker.

The original 1913 alignment of the Lincoln Highway often followed the old emigrant trails in these parts. As witnessed by the Trails West Association “T” marker just downhill from the Edelweiss site, this is no exception. This is the course of Johnson’s Cut-Off trail, which guided early travelers of the 1950s and 60’s down the mountain and across the American River at a place called “Slippery Ford.” We will discuss that extraordinary place in our next blog post following the southern route (Pioneer) of the Lincoln Highway.

Map showing location and features. Click map to see larger version.

Greenwood, El Dorado County school and playground, 1953

Above is a Paul L. Henchey photograph taken in June 1953 that shows the old Greenwood schoolhouse, which is still standing today. You can find the location on the map at the bottom of the post.

When you hear from the elders about how dangerous and fun old playground equipment was, this is a prime example. The merry-go-round looks to be an advanced version of other merry-grounds that did not tip. With the conventional merry-go-round, kids would propel themselves using their feet to gain speed as the contraption spun around, throwing off those who couldn’t hold on!

This merry-go-round not only spins but seems to tilt, adding to the g-forces and making it even harder to hold on. You can zoom in on the photo to get a better view.

My question for those who remember this is, how was it propelled? Does it look like there may be a handle in the center used to tilt it or propel it? Was this powered by the kid’s feet like the non-tilting versions? You can see two children playing tetherball behind the merry-go-round. A lone dog stands at the entrance.

Map showing location and features. Click the map for a larger view.

Verdi, Nevada to the California line on the northern route of the Lincoln Highway, Part 2

In our last post about Verdi, we explored the east side of town with its dirt Lincoln Highway and old metal bridge. That post can be found here. Now let’s head back into town, following the old road as we head towards the California border.

The photo above shows Verdi and a bridge in the distance. This photo was taken by the Central Pacific Railroad around 1868, and shows a wagon heading up the road on the far right. I wonder if this bridge is the earlier version of the Crystal Peak Toll Bridge.

Click the photo for a larger view. Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

As we approach the town, the Lincoln Highway makes a sharp right to cross the railroad tracks. There is a Nevada Historical monument by the tracks that mentions the “Great Train Robbery” that occurred here on November 4-5, 1870, by five desperadoes. The train was the Central Pacific Overland Express. $41,600 in gold coin was taken, and after a two-state search, they were all caught, tried, and convicted. More info here. 

Verdi History Center.

Sign mounted on Verdi History Center.

Once across the tracks, leave the first generation Lincoln Highway and turn left on 2nd Street, the second-generation highway. Just a couple of houses down on the left is the Verdi History Center. We have yet to come by when it’s open, but on the front of the building is a Lincoln Highway sign and a George A Wyman way-point sign.

George Wyman was a true pioneer, being the first person to cross the country on a motorized vehicle in 1903, fully ten years before the LincolnHighway. He rode and walked his motorcycle from San Francisco to New York, mostly following the railroad tracks. You can read more about this fascinating man and his epic journey here.

If you continue west on the 2nd generation Lincoln Highway, and just before the bridge, pull off and into Crystal Peak Park. There we can see the famous last crossing of the Truckee River. Above, we can see the Trails West “T” marker describing this place. There were 26th previous times that the emigrants would have to get wet crossing the river. It was quite tiring, and to reach the last crossing was something to get excited about.

We love these quiet places that, at one time, witnessed humanity on the move. Looking at the actual crossing below, we can well imagine the wagons, oxen, and people heading into the river from this side and exiting on the other.

The famous 27th emigrant crossing at the Truckee River, Verdi,Nevada, looking west.

Click photo for a larger version.

Leaving the park, we head back towards Verdi on the 2nd generation Lincoln until we reach the first generation road and turn left onto Bridge Street. In a bit, we reach the site of the Crystal Peak bridge built-in 1928. Before this bridge, this was known as “O’Neil’s crossing.”

You can read the plaque at the bridge in the photo on at right. Click for a larger view.

Crystal Peak Bridge crossing the Truckee River.

Crystal Peak cemetery, Verdi, Nevada.

Crossing the bridge, we head past the Crystal Peak Cemetery seen above. This area was a town by the name of Crystal Peak, and here are buried some of the former residents of that long-gone place. Now we are off into California, where we stop at the Von Schmidt obelisk.

Von Schmidt Obelisk, Verdi, Nevada.

This place is fantastic! The obelisk in the protective cage was one of four monuments set in place between 1872-73 to determine the state boundary line. There are descriptive signs in this small park that will explain the importance of this spot. One such plaque is shown below.

Descriptive plaque at the Von Schmidt obelisk park.

We have come to the end of today’s adventure. Monica and I are standing in Nevada, with the road still to be driven behind us. As the sign mentions, this part of the road will become quite rough and should only be traversed during the dry season. After this spot, we will climb up Henness Pass Road towards Dog Valley, the very same valley the Donner Party camped, and countless other emigrants.

The Lincoln Highway really is your road to adventure!

Monica and I at the border between California and Nevada on the old Lincoln Highway.

Map showing location of features discussed. Click map for larger view.

The Lodge at Echo Summit, Lincoln Highway, Part 6

The early autoist would have finally reached Johnsons Pass after climbing up the steep Meyer’s Grade from the Tahoe Valley floor. These old autos would need supplies like water and oil once they reached the summit, as they were constantly leaking or burning up fluids. Fortunately, entrepreneur TC Wholbrick had built an early service station and food stop that he called a “Canteen.” We have talked about TC and his Canteens here. While there had been a small forest service cabin, TC added to it, creating the building we see in the above photo.

Inside of the Echo Summit Lodge and Canteen.

Above is a rare photograph of the inside of the Echo Summit Canteen. Everything seen in the photo was handmade by TC. Some of the furniture is inside the present Alpine Club Lodge, which occupies the site today.

The view from the Echo Summit Canteen, looking east.

While enjoying a break from the road, you could head to the deck in the back and check out the magnificent view, as seen above.

Once your supplies were purchased, you started back down the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. If you were a transcontinental autoist, having left New York weeks ago, this was your final mountain challenge on your way to San Francisco. The sign pictured below was just 100 yards beyond the Canteen, a popular spot to photograph your passengers and auto.

Summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Johnson’s Pass, Echo Summit, El Dorado County.

In the photo below, we look back at the lodge as we head down the west slope of our journey on the Lincoln Highway. You can see a Lincoln Highway sign in the tree on the right.

Looking east at the Echo Summit Lodge and Canteen.

Below is the official Lincoln Highway map showing the location and features. To see the entire interactive map, go here.

Map showing locations. Click the map for a larger view.

1895 Citrus Colony Cricket Team, Rocklin, California

Moses Andrews of Auburn started Placer County’s citrus industry when he planted a seedling citrus tree in 1871. The region was well suited to citrus. It was below the extreme cold of the mountains but high enough in the foothills to ripen earlier than other citrus regions in California, giving these fruits a head start for shipping back east by rail. This was the beginning of the Penryn/Loomis/Rocklin citrus industry.

Joel Parker Whitney was a local citrus and grape grower who had traveled to Europe and had an affinity for English country life. He decided to build a colony for people who shared his love of that life. The Citrus Colony was born. Twelve wealthy families arrived from England and built homes, a clubhouse, tennis courts, and even a cricket field.

'Pictured above is the Citrus colony’s 1895 cricket team, which was unbeaten in the State of California. They were also the 1898 champions of the state.

Eventually, the fruit prices started to drop as the depression of the 1890s worsened, and the colonists’ lack of farming experience began to take its toll. Eventually, some colonists headed back to England while others ended their farming careers for other ventures. The Colony went bankrupt in 1905.

More information about Placer County’s Citrus Colony can be found here.

The Lincoln Highway, EL Dorado County, Johnson's Pass, Part 5

John Calhoun “Cock-eye” Johnson. Photo from the California State Archives.

We continue our adventure up Meyer’s Grade near Lake Tahoe on the old Lincoln Highway. This climb was the last major difficulty for emigrants in the 1850s who had come to settle in California or gather its riches and head back home. Early automobiles would often break down under the climb's strain, and reaching Johnson’s Pass was a major relief, as it was mostly downhill to Sacramento.

Johnson’s Pass is named after John Calhoun Johnson (1822 - September 13, 1876), a native of Deersville, Ohio. Johnson was the first trans-Sierra mail carrier, who delivered mail from Carson City, Nevada, to Take Tahoe, California, and continued to Hangtown, CA (Placerville, CA). Johnson used the Truckee River Route and the Carson Emigrant Trail to deliver the mail, but these were difficult trails to travel, and he started to look for another way up and over the summit. Johnsons figured if a trail could be built starting at the north end of Carson Valley and then made to go west over the mountains to Placerville, a large chunk of the Carson River Route would be “cut-off.” Johnson built that road, and it became known as Johnson’s Cut-Off Trail, saving much time and effort for travelers. It soon became the most popular route into California for emigrants and wagon trains.

We have learned that the 1913 original alignment of the Lincoln Highway often followed these old wagon routes and emigrant trails, and this was no exception. Automobiles were still a new thing in 1913, and road construction hadn’t caught up to the new-fangled horseless carriages, so they just followed the dirt trails like this one.

T.C. Wohlbrück photo showing the building at the summit before he built onto it.

Once you reached the top of the summit in 1918, this small forest service building would have greeted you. A visionary named Theodore Clemens Wohlbrück (1879–1936), known as "T.C." was a photographer who arrived in California in 1912. He realized that the new automobile and its passengers would need supplies. TC started what he called Canteen Service Stations in three locations of the Sierra Nevada, Donner Lake, Emigrant Pass, and here at Johnson’s Pass, Echo Summit. You can read more about TC and his Canteens here.

T.C. Wohlbrück photo showing the view of the Tahoe Valley from the Summit Lodge.

The view from the Summit Lodge is famous, and TC made sure to record it in the above photo. In the lower photo, we have a modern day view from the same spot.

The view from atop Johnson’s Pass at Echo Summit, CA.

TC Wohlbrück photo showing his Canteen Service Station at Johnson’s Pass.

TC Wohlbrück arranged a lease with the Forest Service to add to and develop the cabin as one of his Canteen/Service Stations. In the above photo, we can see the enlarged Canteen waiting for customers. The sign on the right mentions there is no illegal parking on the Lincoln Highway in the Eldorado National Forest. The photos of the Tahoe Basin were taken from just below the stairs, looking east.

The view from Johnson’s Pass looking east.

Pictured below is a Trails West historical “T” Markers at Johnson’s Pass. Each marker quotes from an emigrant diary about the very spot you are standing. In the next installment of our Lincoln Highway Adventure through El Dorado County, we will look around The Johnson’s Pass area and take a rare look inside the canteen.

Trail West “T” marker at Johnson’s Pass.

Map showing location and features at Johnson’s Pass.

The Lincoln Highway, Verdi, Nevada

Monica and I took a trip to Verdi, Nevada on Wednesday, hoping to catch some fall color and experience some history. Verdi is on the old emigrant route as well as the transcontinental highway. We wanted to walk a section just outside of town that features three bridges or bridge sites, two railroad lines, the Truckee River, and of course, the Lincoln Highway.

Map of Verdi showing the 1913 Lincoln Highway in blue and the second, 1925 Lincoln, in green.

View of the first bridge site crossing the railroad. Check out the old wooden railings.

In the photo above, we can see the Lincoln Highway at the right turning left towards the first wooden bridge site that spanned the first set of railroad tracks. The photo below shows the site of the second bridge over the second set of railroad tracks. We are looking north from the roadbed. You can see the railroad tracks at the bottom. Both of these rail lines are live with trains running on them. Be alert!

Second bridge site along the Lincoln Highway, Verdi, Nevada.

Irrigation canal spillway with the Lincoln Highway.

Once the yesteryear driver crossed the second wooden bridge, they would follow the road around a horseshoe bend and ford an irrigation canal spillway, as seen in the photo above. Was this canal here before of after the Lincoln Highway? We don’t know and will have to do a bit of research to find out. Once the water was crossed, a quick left turn is made, and we head for a metal Lincoln Highway era bridge crossing the Truckee River.

Once we cross the metal bridge, the old road continues for another couple hundred yards and then merges with the second generation 1925 Lincoln Highway. While most of this walk is easy enough, there is a bit of scrambling through bushes and up some banks between the first bridge site and the second bridge site.

Below is a panorama showing just how many different modes of travel Verdi has seen come its way. We are looking east while standing on the Lincoln Highway. Be sure to click the photo for a larger view.

Click the photo for a larger view!

Below is a map showing the area and the various features we have discussed.

I searched for an image of the wooden bridges across the railroad tracks and came up with very little. However, there is a YouTube video of one of the wooden bridges, which we are told burned down on July 24, 2010, at 6:30 pm, having been struck by lightning. What a shame. Below is a portion of the video showing the old bridge. Heads up, there is music at the beginning if this video which might catch you by surprise. The bridge is 20 seconds into the video, while the music stops at 40 seconds. What a shame we missed seeing these old bridges.

Meyers Grade to Johnson's Pass, Lincoln Highway in El Dorado County, Part 4

We have been discussing the route of the original 1913 Lincoln Highway through El Dorado County, and with our last post, we started the climb from the Lake Tahoe Valley floor up Meyers Grade towards Johnson’s Pass. The photo above shows an automobile making the climb from where I believe the present Highway 50 passes. There are only a few flat spots along the grade, and one such spot is where Meyer’s Grade Road passes over the present-day freeway. In the map below, we show where this photo, #1, was taken. When the present freeway was built, some of the original section of the last climb up to the pass was destroyed. We believe the car is where the present-day freeway passes.

Click map for larger view!

This section from Highway 50 up to the pass was considered the last major obstacle on the way to the promised land of California. This is likely the steepest ascent yet, and you can still drive this section! Imagine trying to pull with oxen a wagon full of your goods up and over this section. Early automobiles would often break down, trying to navigate this last section and call for help from the Celio Ranch, in Meyer’s. In the photo below, we see the 1919 Army Convoy members being assisted by a caterpillar tractor.

1919 Army Convoy on Meyers Grade getting an assist from a Caterpillar tractor.

The photo below is a TC Wohlbrück photo showing his car in about the same spot as the photo above with the Army Truck. At this point we are almost at the summit, maybe less than a quarter of a mile away. Imagine driving this dirt road after rain!

A Theodore Wohlbrück photo from a few later than the Army Convoy photo at the same hairpin turn.

Once you reached the top of the pass after 1922, you would be greeted by a Canteen Service Station run by Theodore Wohlbrück. There you could pick up supplies, get water for the radiator, and have a bite to eat while enjoying the spectacular view. In our next El Dorado County Lincoln HIghway post, we will look at that Canteen service station and the summit pass.

The view looking east towards Lake Tahoe from Johnson’s Pass.

Aerial view Auburn at the turn of the century

We are looking west above Auburn, California, at the turn of the 20th Century. While automobiles existed, they were not common at this time, and the main mode of transportation was the horse and wagon. The canyon we see at right is known as Auburn Ravine and today is buried under Interstate 80. With that in mind, we can see the original location of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department building, with stripes, on the far right. That building was saved and now sits at its new location.

At far left we can see the old post office building and the small gazebo building that held a drinking fountain. At the top of the hill, sit’s the white Snowden House.

In the above Google Earth photo, we can see the modern-day view of the same location. The stripped firehouse building now sits in the new location. Interstate 80 dominates the right side of the view. The Snowden House still stands at the top of the hill. The railroad trestle crossing the interstate was built by Southern Pacific in 1909 and therefore does not show up in the earlier photo.

The Lincoln Highway at Meyer's, El Dorado County Part 3

Traveling from the Trout Creek Bridge, we are headed west towards the town of Meyer’s. Along the way, our Lincoln Highway map has a small truck icon along the road. Clicking the icon, we find that this was the route used in 1919 by the US Army convoy traveling from Washington DC to San Francisco.

Click map for closer view!

This convoy was an attempt by the US Army to see if it could transport men and machines across the country on the new Transcontinental Lincoln HIghway. In 1919 it was still a novelty to drive across the country, and while the convoy made it, the trip was fraught with breakdowns, poor bridge crossing, deep mud, and sand. Along for the trip was Armored Corps representative, Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower, a 28-year-old officer, and future President of the United States.

Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Photo: National Archives

There is a video record of some of the trip at the National Archives', which can be found here. When the convoy reached Meyer’s, the pioneering Celio Family, who owned much of the small town, threw a huge celebration and BBQ for the soldiers. The convoy then made the trip up Osgood’s Grade and over Johnson’s Pass.

Looking at the map above, we can see the old Osgood’s/Meyer’s Grade up to Echo Summit is closed through traffic. It’s now a popular and very steep trail on a paved surface., where we see Monica making the climb in the photo below. This was the grade everyone used to get to the south Tahoe area for 80 years, until the 1930s when the present freeway was built.

Auto’s leaked fluids much more in days’ gone by. You can see the oil streak on the road. The Celio Ranch is marked with an arrow. This is their ranch along South Upper Truckee Road. Click the photo for a closer view.

The photo above was taken by TC Wohlbrück and showed the grade looking east. This is the same section we see Monica walking on in the photo below. TC Wohlbrück was an entrepreneur who built some of the first gasoline service stations and “rest stops” in the Sierra, which he called Canteens. He built one at the top of this grade, Johnson’s Pass, and it still stands today. You can read more about TC here. We will talk about that on our next post along the El Dorado County Lincoln Highway route.

Monica walking up Osgood’s Grade, now closed to traffic.