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The Dead Are Speaking Historical Marker, Skagway, Alaska

Posted on by Misty
The Dead Are Speaking Historical Marker, Skagway, Alaska

In the prospectors’ rush to find gold in Alaska, nearly 3,000 pack animals died crossing the White Pass trail during the Klondike gold rush. Horses were given little thought, often dying of starvation or falling over cliffs. The horses were often overloaded with supplies and were beaten by their owners.

Because of the atrocities, novelist Jack London renamed the pass “Dead Horse Trail”. In fact, many of the animals’ bones still lay in Dead Horse Gulch.

Between 20,000 and 30,000 people came seeking gold during the rush. They had to carry everything with them. It wasn’t until the tram was built in 1897 that the need for horses decreased.

This marker memorializes these pack animals.

Historical Marker Inscription

The dead are speaking in memory of us three thousand pack animals that laid our bones on these awful hills during the Gold Rush of 1897-1898. We now thank those listening souls that heard our groans across this stretch of years. We waited but not in vain.

Placed by the Ladies of the Golden North and the Alaska Yukon Pioneers

Location

59° 27’ 10.770” N, 135° 19’ 9.942” W

231 Second Ave, Skagway, AK  99840, United States

First Permanent Emigrant Trail Markers Historical Marker, Truckee, California

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First Permanent Emigrant Trail Makers Historical Marker

In 1929, the Native Sons of the Golden West created two monuments to indicate the changes to the 1846 Emigrant Trail. One of the original trail markers was located on Old Highway 40, better known as Donner Pass Road, near the end of what’s now Northwoods Boulevard.

To the right of this monument, P.M. Weddell added a wooden sign to indicate the correct direction down the mountain. The second monument was located at the entrance of Coldstream Canyon on Highway 40.

Historical Marker Inscription

The nearby monument was envisioned in 1929 by C. F. McGlashan, Truckee’s foremost resident 1872-1931 and author of the 1880 classic, The History of the Donner Party; P.M. Weddell, who placed wooden signs on the Donner Trail from Verdi, Nevada over Coldstream Pass to Lake Mary from 1924 until his death in 1951; and W.F. Knowland, U.S. Senator (1945-1959) and the chairman of The Native Sons of the Golden West’s Landmark Commission.

The three trail authorities met in McGlashan’s law office in Truckee to draw up the text for the plaque on this monument, listed as #3 on the map to the right and a companion plaque for the monument listed as #5, located one half mile to the west on old Hwy 40 and Coldstream Road.

Dedicated November 16, 2014 (6019)
By Truckee Donner Historical Society and
Chief Truckee Chapter of E Clampus Vitus

Location

39° 19’ 32.910” N, 39° 19’ 32.910” N
11769–11771 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA  96161, United States

Jamison City, Eureka Mine and Mill, Johnstown Historical Marker, Blairsden Graeagle, CA

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Jamison City, Eureka Mine and Mill and Johnstown Historical Marker

This historical marker groups together four different historical sites. These include sites that now encompass the Plumas-Eureka State Park.  Most of these towns have few residents or have completely disappeared.

For example, Johnstown, now Johnsville, was founded in 1876 and now has around 12 residents. Jamison City has completely disappeared. Jamison City was a mining town and became famous after a 52-pound gold nugget was discovered in the Eureka Quartz vein.

The vein was first discovered in 1851 and would eventually yield $17 million in gold. The Plumas-Eureka and Jamison City mines would continue to be used until the early 1900s.

Historical Marker Inscription

Jamison City
Eureka Mine
Johnstown

Along the Pioneer Trail lies Jamison City and Mine. Large producer, famous for its 52-pound nugget; Eureka Mill and Mine yielding $17 millions to Cornish miners and others. Johnstown, now Johnsville, well preserved ’49 town.

Historical Landmark No. 196

Department of Public Works – Divison of Highways

Location

39° 47’ 18.738” N, 120° 38’ 2.442” W
65521–65543 CA-70, Blairsden Graeagle, CA  96103, United States

Peter Skene Ogden Historical Marker, Terrebonne, Oregon

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Peter Skene Ogden Historical Marker, Terrebonne, Oregon

Born somewhere between 1790 and 1794 in Quebec, Canada, Peter Skene Ogden was a trapper during the height of the beaver trade. He was a member of the Hudson’s Bay Company even after it merged with the Northwest Fur Company in 1821.

In 1824, Ogden was tasked by John McLoughlin to lead the Snake River Country Expeditions. His goal was to discourage American trappers from entering the area to maintain British control of the trade. Along with the traders were a group of Americans directed by Jedediah Smith.

The two sets of traders separated at Beaver River, and Ogden continued south. This took the group through what is now Smithfield, Hyrum, Logan and Huntsville. While the town of Ogden bears his name, it is unlikely that the man himself visited the area.

Ogden was forced from going any further on his journey after an argument with the “Ashley Men” who convinced many of Ogden’s men to defect with 700 pelts. He returned to the Flathead Post.

Ogden would continue to lead many expeditions for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He had a large impact on the fur trade. He would return to Utah for an expedition from 1828 to 1829. After that, he would never again return to what would become the State of Utah.

Ogden would continue working for the Hudson’s Bay Company until a few months before his death in 1854.

Historical Marker Inscription

This park is named for Peter Skene Ogden, 1793-1854. In the fall of 1825, Ogden led a Hudson’s Bay Company trapping party on the first recorded journey into central Oregon, crossing the country to the north and east into the Crooked River Valley not far above here. He was in the vicinity again in 1826 bound for the Harney Basin and the Klamath region where he discovered Mount Shasta. Ogden was an important figure in the early fur trade and ranged over all the West. He rescued the survivors of the Whitman Massacre.

Ogden, Utah, was named for him.

Location

44° 23’ 25.398” N, 121° 11’ 34.968” W
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint, Terrebonne, OR  97760, United States

 

Ponchatoula Depot Historical Maker, Ponchatoula, Louisiana

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Ponchatoula Depot Historical Marker, Ponchatoula, Louisiana

The city of Ponchatoula started as a train depot in the mid-1800s. The original depot was erected in 1854. The first structure was burnt down by Union soldiers during the American Civil War. A new depot was built during 1895 and remodeled in 1920.

Nowadays, the depot serves as a shopping market with 30 booths.

Historical Marker Inscription

Original depot built c. 1854 by New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad (later Illinois Central). Burned when Union forces captured town in March 1863. Rebuilt c. 1865. Present depot built in 1894 and remodeled in the 1920’s.

Erectec by Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism 1982

Location

30° 26’ 20.220” N, 90° 26’ 28.242” W
10 E Pine St, Ponchatoula, LA  70454, United States

Double Springs Historical Marker, Gardnerville, Nevada

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Double Springs Historical Marker, Gardnerville, Nevada

Double Springs was a hotel on the toll road to Aurora and Bodie. It was named after two springs that had been used by Native Americans for round dances in the spring and fall. The earliest recorded name of the place was Round Tent Ranch.

Rancher S.D. Fairchild claimed over 300 acres in the area in 1861. He opened a hotel, barn and stable. Later, the property was owned by H.W. Bagley and then James C. Dean, who became a notorious figure in the area.

The Double Springs Hotel was torn down in 1887. The lumber was moved to South Camp, a mining camp, and used for buildings there. All that’s left to mark the spot is the historical marker.

Historical Marker Inscription

Double Springs, also known as Round Tent Ranch or Spragues, was a station on the road through the south end of the Pine Nut Mountains located at a pair of nearby springs. The road provided access between Carson and Walker valleys, both ranching and dairy regions in western Nevada. Double Springs also saw many travelers on their way to Esmeralda County. At one time, a toll road ran from this area west to the Kingsbury Road that still connects to Lake Tahoe.

About four miles north along the highway is the former location of Mammoth Ledge, also known as Carter’s Station. That site served as the post office for the Eagle Mining District, and the polling place in 1861 of the Mammoth Precinct of Douglas County. Stations like these provided water, supplies, and rest for travelers prior to the popularization of the automobile.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 126

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

CARSON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Location

38° 47’ 36.882” N, 119° 35’ 58.458” W
US Hwy 395 S, Gardnerville, NV  89410, United States

Old Truckee Jail Historical Marker, Truckee, California

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Old Truckee Jail Historical Marker

One of the only surviving examples of a 19th-century jailhouse, the Old Truckee Jail is in Truckee, California. It was used continuously from 1875 to 1964.

The original building was constructed of local stone with 32-inch thick walls. It had no windows, only vents for each cell. The doors are made of riveted steel weighing approximately 200 pounds each.

The town initially only could hold prisoners in a calaboose (prison) located in Brickelltown. The prison was not large enough for the needs. At least one prisoner a day was being sent to Nevada City.

The town decided to raise money to build a local jail. The contract was given to James Stewart, a local stonemason. The funds were raised from money collected from nineteen citizens. Each citizen donated $25 towards the new jail.

The construction started on August 11, 1875, and was finished on September 22, 1875. The jail held several notorious figures, including “Ma” Spinelli and her gang, and “Baby Face” Nelson.

In 1901, a second story was added to the jail. But there were issues with the building. Two desperados were able to escape from the jail in 1904. In 1908, Constable Augustus Schlumpf received funds to improve the jail.

After closing in 1964, the Truckee Donner Historical Society received permission to restore the building in 1974. It was converted into a local museum.

Historical Marker Inscription

1875

Old Truckee Jail

Buit in September 1875 and in continuous use until 1964

Plaque No. 2 – E Clampus Vitus

Chief Truckee – No. 3691

1966

Re-dedicated July 4, 1978

Location

39° 19’ 40.710” N, 120° 11’ 12.312” W
Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail Museum, Truckee, CA  96161, United States

Barnette’s Landing, Fairbanks, Alaska

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Barnette's Landing Historical Marker, Fairbanks, Alaska

Elbridge Truman (E.T.) Barnette was coming to Alaska for a fresh start. Convicted of larceny in his early 20s and having served time in the Oregon Penitentiary, he was looking north to find a new life.

Barnette had hired a riverboat captain to take him up the Tanana River. But instead of continuing his journey, he argued with the boat captain. The captain put Barnette and his trade goods ashore in August 1901. The spot where he landed was near what is now present-day First Avenue and Cushman in Fairbanks, Alaska.

While initially not liking the idea of setting up his trading post far from the nearest gold fields, that changed when Felix Pedro, an Italian immigrant, discovered gold in Tanana Valley. Barnette helped name the town after Charles W. Fairbanks, an Indiana Senator.

Fairbanks was incorporated on November 10, 1903, and Barnette became its first mayor. Yet, 10 years after Fairbanks was founded, Barnette was charged with embezzlement and run out of town. He became known as the most hated man in town.

Historical Marker Inscription

Captain E.T. Barnette, a passenger on the riverboat Lavelle Young, debarked near this site on August 26, 1901, and established a trading post which in 1902 became known as Fairbanks.

State of Alaska
Governor Walter J. Hickel
Alaska Centennial Commission

Location

64° 50’ 38.820” N, 147° 43’ 14.088” W
550 First Ave, Fairbanks, AK  99701, United States

Treaty Rock Historical Marker, Post Falls, Idaho

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Treaty Rock Historical Marker, Post Falls, Idaho

Frederick Post was born in Germany in 1821 and immigrated to the United States in 1848. Post was very industrious, inventing a riding scraper and constructing a grist and a lumber mill. In 1871, he moved to the Inland Northwest. He was interested in an area around the Spokane River that had a waterfall.

Coeur d’Alene Tribal Leader, Chief Andrew Seltice, owned the 200-acre plot. Chief Seltice as the representative of the tribe agreed to allow Post to use the area on June 1, 1871. Post paid $500 for the privilege. The written evidence of this transaction can be seen at Treaty Rock. It may be the only location of such a treaty between a person and a native tribe was signed on a rock in the United States.

Post went on to build a dam that was used as electric power. He built a sawmill and a first mill. The town that grew up around the mills and dam became known as Post Falls.

Treat Rock was added to the National Historic Register in 1992.

Treaty Rock, Post Falls, Idaho

Historical Marker Inscription

On June 1, 1871, Frederick Post made a deal with Seltice — a prominent Coeur d’Alene Indian leader — to obtain more than 200 acres of Spokane River land to start a mill here.

They recorded this land cession on a prominent rock adjacent to Post Falls. This inscription can still be seen from here. Post’s sawmill located at an important hydroelectric site now used for a power plant, led to development of a townsite at Post Falls

348

Location

47° 42’ 51.900” N, 116° 57’ 5.100” W

701 N Compton St, Post Falls, ID  83854, United States

George Alexander Burrows Historical Marker, Vancouver, BC

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George Alexander Burrows Historical Marker Vancouver

George Burrows was a competitive swimmer. In the 1920s, he attended the University of British Columbia and became the provincial 200-yard freestyle champion. He was selected to represent Canada in the 1932 Summer Olympics. He competed in the 400-meter and 1500-meter freestyle events but didn’t pass the first round. He competed in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay team event. His team finished fourth.

After completing his Olympic career, Burrows continued the career he had started the year before: Supervisor of Beaches and Pools. His father, Fred, had held the same position. Burrows would remain in this position for 40 years, retiring in 1971.

Historical Marker Inscription

George Alexander Burrows

Oct. 9, 1910-July 8, 1987

To commemorate the life and dedication of George Alexander Burrows supervisor and guardian of Vancouver beaches and pools for 40 years. 1931-1971

This plaque donated by Vancouver lifeguards in co-operation with the Board of Parks and Recreation.

Dedicated May 23, 1988

Location

49° 16’ 25.500” N, 123° 9’ 16.680” W

Kitsilano Beach Park, Vancouver BC V6J 5N2, Canada