Multiple Generations of Roads Gather Together
Donner Pass, California - Sunday, 29 July 2018, 3:30pm
One interesting thing about walking the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the Donner Pass (previous blog) is how many generations of transport have gone through this spot. This nation-changing rail was built here in the 1860s, but it was not the first redefining mode of transit through this point, nor the last. Just standing on what's left of the rail (remember, the railroad operated removed the tracks in the 1993) you can see at least five other generations of overland travel.
Multiple generations of roads together in the Donner Pass
In the distance in the picture, visible on the right side, is Interstate 80 (I-80). This stretch of road was conceived in the 1940s, designed in the 50s, and completed in 1964. Until today I-80 is how we've crossed the Donner Pass every time, often blazing through at speeds of 65 mph (105 km/h) or faster.
The US's Interstate Highway System is widely known as, well, the interstate highway system. But it is not the only interstate highway system in the US. A few decades before it came the US Route system. US Route 40, built in the 1920s, is visible in this picture, stretching across the mid-ground from right to left. The road's designation as US-40 was dropped when I-80 was completed nearby. Since then it's been signed as Donner Pass Road. It's what we drove up here today.
But even US-40/Donner Pass Road is not the oldest road visible in this picture. Back in 1912 there was the Lincoln Highway, a road built by a private organization of civic-minded wealthy folks who wanted to promote automobile travel. The Lincoln Highway is most visible just below the center of the picture, just below Donner Pass Road. It's the dirt road. That's right, this part of the Lincoln Highway was never paved!
More evidence of the Lincoln Highway can be found where it crosses under the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
The Lincoln Highway (c. 1912) crosses under the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad (c. 1868). In the distance you can see US-40 crossing the Rainbow Bridge (c. 1926).
Here, the red-white-and-blue logo painted on the retaining wall would've reminded auto travelers of 100+ years ago they were on the right route. Today, obviously, the never-paved road is overgrown in some places and worn away from erosion and landslides in others nearby.
But neither this 100+ year old road, nor the 150 year old rail bed, are the oldest routes in this area. The Lincoln Highway was routed through here following wagon trails that had been used for decades prior. The first recorded successful wagon train crossing through Donner Pass was led by Elisha Stephens in 1844. Nearby Stephens Peak is named in his honor. Interestingly, though, the name Donner is more widely known- as in the Donner Pass, named for the ill-fated group stranded trying to traverse Stephens' route five years later in the winter.
And even Stephens' historic crossing in 1844 was not the first. The guide he hired would've learned the route from local natives, who'd arguably been using it for centuries. So, here there's a lot of transportation history in a small place.
Next: How a necklace at a jewelry store inspired this trip!
One interesting thing about walking the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the Donner Pass (previous blog) is how many generations of transport have gone through this spot. This nation-changing rail was built here in the 1860s, but it was not the first redefining mode of transit through this point, nor the last. Just standing on what's left of the rail (remember, the railroad operated removed the tracks in the 1993) you can see at least five other generations of overland travel.
Multiple generations of roads together in the Donner Pass
In the distance in the picture, visible on the right side, is Interstate 80 (I-80). This stretch of road was conceived in the 1940s, designed in the 50s, and completed in 1964. Until today I-80 is how we've crossed the Donner Pass every time, often blazing through at speeds of 65 mph (105 km/h) or faster.
The US's Interstate Highway System is widely known as, well, the interstate highway system. But it is not the only interstate highway system in the US. A few decades before it came the US Route system. US Route 40, built in the 1920s, is visible in this picture, stretching across the mid-ground from right to left. The road's designation as US-40 was dropped when I-80 was completed nearby. Since then it's been signed as Donner Pass Road. It's what we drove up here today.
But even US-40/Donner Pass Road is not the oldest road visible in this picture. Back in 1912 there was the Lincoln Highway, a road built by a private organization of civic-minded wealthy folks who wanted to promote automobile travel. The Lincoln Highway is most visible just below the center of the picture, just below Donner Pass Road. It's the dirt road. That's right, this part of the Lincoln Highway was never paved!
More evidence of the Lincoln Highway can be found where it crosses under the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
The Lincoln Highway (c. 1912) crosses under the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad (c. 1868). In the distance you can see US-40 crossing the Rainbow Bridge (c. 1926).
Here, the red-white-and-blue logo painted on the retaining wall would've reminded auto travelers of 100+ years ago they were on the right route. Today, obviously, the never-paved road is overgrown in some places and worn away from erosion and landslides in others nearby.
But neither this 100+ year old road, nor the 150 year old rail bed, are the oldest routes in this area. The Lincoln Highway was routed through here following wagon trails that had been used for decades prior. The first recorded successful wagon train crossing through Donner Pass was led by Elisha Stephens in 1844. Nearby Stephens Peak is named in his honor. Interestingly, though, the name Donner is more widely known- as in the Donner Pass, named for the ill-fated group stranded trying to traverse Stephens' route five years later in the winter.
And even Stephens' historic crossing in 1844 was not the first. The guide he hired would've learned the route from local natives, who'd arguably been using it for centuries. So, here there's a lot of transportation history in a small place.
Next: How a necklace at a jewelry store inspired this trip!