Donner Memorial State Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 39°19′12″N 120°14′30″W / 39.32000°N 120.24167°W / 39.32000; -120.24167
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{{short description|State park in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Donner Memorial State Park
| name = Donner Memorial State Park
| iucn_category =
| iucn_category =
| photo = Donner Memorial State Park.jpg
| photo = Donner Memorial State Park.jpg
| photo_caption = [[Donner Lake]] from Donner Memorial State Park
| photo_caption = [[Donner Lake]], with Donner Memorial State Park at the far end, right, viewed from near Donner Peak
| map = USA California#USA
| map = USA California#USA
| relief = 1
| relief = 1
| location = [[Nevada County, California|Nevada]] and [[Placer County, California|Placer Counties, California]], US
| location = [[Nevada County, California|Nevada]] and [[Placer County, California|Placer Counties, California]], US
| nearest_city = [[Truckee, California]]
| nearest_city = [[Truckee, California]]
| coordinates = {{coords|39|19|12|N|120|14|30|W|region:US-CA|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39|19|12|N|120|14|30|W|region:US-CA|display=inline, title}}
| area_acre = 3293
| area_acre = 3293
| established = 1928
| established = 1928
Line 14: Line 16:
| visitation_year =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[California Department of Parks and Recreation]]
| governing_body = [[California Department of Parks and Recreation]]
| embedded1 = {{Infobox NRHP
| embedded1 = {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| embed = yes
| name = Donner Camp
| name = Donner Camp
| nrhp_type = nhl
| nrhp_type = nhl
| designated_other1 = California
| designated_other1 = California
| designated_other1_number = 134<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|134|Pioneer Monument|2012-10-10}}</ref>
| designated_other1_number = 134<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|134|Pioneer Monument|2012-10-10}}</ref>
| designated_other1_num_position = both
| designated_other1_num_position = both
| image = Donner Party Memorial.jpg
| image = Donner Party Memorial.jpg
| caption = The Donner Party Memorial at Donner Memorial State Park
| caption = The Donner Party Memorial at Donner Memorial State Park
| nearest_city = [[Truckee, California]]
| nearest_city = Truckee, California
| locmapin = California#USA
| locmapin = California#USA
| area = California
| area = California
| built = 1846
| built = 1846
| designated_nrhp_type = January 20, 1961<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web | url = http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=123&ResourceType=Site | title = Donner Camp | accessdate = 2008-06-17 | work = National Historic Landmark summary listing | publisher = National Park Service | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071114222818/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=123&ResourceType=Site | archivedate = 2007-11-14 }}</ref>
| designated_nrhp_type = January 20, 1961<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web | url = http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=123&ResourceType=Site | title = Donner Camp | access-date = 2008-06-17 | work = National Historic Landmark summary listing | publisher = National Park Service | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071114222818/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=123&ResourceType=Site | archive-date = 2007-11-14 }}</ref>
| added = October 15, 1966
| added = October 15, 1966
| refnum = 66000218<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| governing_body = State
| refnum=66000218<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
}} }}
}} }}


[[File:China Cove at Donner Memorial State Park.jpg|thumb|Beach at China Cove in Donner Memorial State Park]]
'''Donner Memorial State Park''' is a [[state park]] of [[California]], US, preserving the site of the '''Donner Camp''', where members of the ill-fated [[Donner Party]] were trapped by weather during the winter of 1846–1847. Caught without shelter or adequate supplies, members of the group resorted to [[cannibalism]] to survive. The [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] site has been designated a [[National Historic Landmark]]. The state park contains the '''Emigrant Trail Museum''' and the '''Pioneer Monument''' dedicated to the travelers of the [[Emigrant Trail]].


'''Donner Memorial State Park''' is a [[state park]] of [[California]], US, preserving the site of the '''Donner Camp''', where members of the ill-fated [[Donner Party]] were trapped by weather during the winter of 1846–1847. Caught without shelter or adequate supplies, members of the group resorted to [[Human cannibalism|cannibalism]] to survive. The [[Sierra Nevada]] site has been designated a [[National Historic Landmark]]. The state park contains the '''Emigrant Trail Museum''' and the '''Pioneer Monument''' dedicated to the travelers of the [[Emigrant Trail]].
Donner Memorial State Park is located outside [[Truckee, California]]. It has {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} of hiking trails, campgrounds, and {{convert|3|mi|km}} of lake frontage on [[Donner Lake]]. The {{convert|3293|acre|ha|adj=on}} park was established in 1928.<ref>{{cite journal | title = California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10 | url = http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/09-10%20statistical%20report%20final%20online.pdf | publisher = California State Parks | page = 32 | accessdate = 2011-12-12}}</ref>


Donner Memorial State Park is located outside [[Truckee, California]]. It has {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} of hiking trails, campgrounds, and {{convert|3|mi|km}} of lake frontage on [[Donner Lake]], east of [[Donner Pass]]. The {{convert|3293|acre|ha|adj=on}} park was established in 1928.<ref>{{cite journal | title = California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10 | url = http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/09-10%20statistical%20report%20final%20online.pdf | publisher = California State Parks | page = 32 | access-date = 2011-12-12}}</ref>
==Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center==

The Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center contains exhibits about the cultural history of the area, including local Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the [[First Transcontinental Railroad]]. Near the museum is the Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party's Murphy family cabin site. Park staff offer hikes, special presentations and campfires by the museum.
==Visitor center==
The Donner Memorial State Park visitor center contains exhibits about the cultural history of the area, including local Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the [[First transcontinental railroad]]. Near the museum is the Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party's Murphy family cabin site. Park staff offer hikes, special presentations and campfires by the museum.


==Pioneer Monument==
==Pioneer Monument==
Line 58: Line 61:
| publisher = Utah Crossroads Chapter, [[Oregon-California Trails Association]]
| publisher = Utah Crossroads Chapter, [[Oregon-California Trails Association]]
| quote = western, not northern, wall ... burial did not take place at the Murphy cabin
| quote = western, not northern, wall ... burial did not take place at the Murphy cabin
| accessdate = 2007-12-09
| access-date = 2007-12-09
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224160959/http://www.utahcrossroads.org/DonnerParty/Briefmyths.htm#Murphy%20cabin%20plaque
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224160959/http://www.utahcrossroads.org/DonnerParty/Briefmyths.htm#Murphy%20cabin%20plaque
| archive-date = 2007-12-24
| archive-date = 2007-12-24
Line 66: Line 69:
The [[Moses Schallenberger]] plaque reads:
The [[Moses Schallenberger]] plaque reads:
<blockquote>SCHALLENBERGER CABIN SITE \ Near this spot stood a small cabin built by 18-year-old Moses Schallenberger and two other men. They were members of the [[Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party]] of 1844, the first pioneers to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail. The three men had volunteered to remain behind and guard six of the wagons left here by the main party. \ Due to extreme winter weather conditions and lack of food, the three men agreed to separate. The two older men rejoined the wagon party, but due to his weakened physical condition, Moses Schallenberger chose to remain at the cabin. The young man survived for nearly three months alone in the small cabin during the winter of 1844–45 before being rescued. His cabin would later provide shelter for the Breen family, members of the ill-fated Donner Party, who were stranded here in 1846–47. \ The courage and resolution of Moses Schallenberger during his solitary winter ordeal in this cabin makes him one of the true heroes in the saga of the California Trail. \ Dedicated August 19, 1995 \ Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission \ Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation \ Nev-01-95 \ This monument was made possible through the generosity of many groups and individuals committed to the preservation of the California Trail.</blockquote>
<blockquote>SCHALLENBERGER CABIN SITE \ Near this spot stood a small cabin built by 18-year-old Moses Schallenberger and two other men. They were members of the [[Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party]] of 1844, the first pioneers to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail. The three men had volunteered to remain behind and guard six of the wagons left here by the main party. \ Due to extreme winter weather conditions and lack of food, the three men agreed to separate. The two older men rejoined the wagon party, but due to his weakened physical condition, Moses Schallenberger chose to remain at the cabin. The young man survived for nearly three months alone in the small cabin during the winter of 1844–45 before being rescued. His cabin would later provide shelter for the Breen family, members of the ill-fated Donner Party, who were stranded here in 1846–47. \ The courage and resolution of Moses Schallenberger during his solitary winter ordeal in this cabin makes him one of the true heroes in the saga of the California Trail. \ Dedicated August 19, 1995 \ Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission \ Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation \ Nev-01-95 \ This monument was made possible through the generosity of many groups and individuals committed to the preservation of the California Trail.</blockquote>

==Proposed for closure==
Donner Memorial State Park was one of 48 [[List of California state parks|California state parks]] proposed for closure in August 2009 due to budget cuts. Due to public opposition, the closures were not carried out.


==Climate==
==Climate==
The park has either a [[Mediterranean climate]] or a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dsb/Csb'') with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Winters are cold with a January average of {{convert|27.2|°F|1}} and temperatures below {{convert|0|°F|1}} occur on 7.8 days per year.<ref name="WRCC" /> Most of the precipitation falls during the winter months with an average precipitation of {{convert|20.16|in|sigfig=3}} and an average snowfall of {{convert|112.2|in|cm|0}}.<ref name="WRCC" /> Summers are dry with warm daytime temperatures (can exceed {{convert|90|°F|1}} on 5.6 days) and cold nighttime temperatures that often reach below {{convert|32|°F|1}}.<ref name="WRCC" /> The average high in the warmest month, July is {{convert|81.2|°F|1}} and the average low is {{convert|41.2|°F|1}} with a mean precipitation of only {{convert|0.35|in|sigfig=3}}. The record low is {{convert|-31|°F|1}} on December 25, 1965 and the record high is {{convert|99|°F|1}} in July 2002 and August 1981.<ref name="WRCC" />
The park has either a [[Mediterranean climate]] or a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dsb/Csb'') with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Winters are cold with a January average of {{convert|27.2|°F|1}} and temperatures below {{convert|0|°F|1}} occur on 3.6 days per year.<ref name = NOAA/> Most of the precipitation falls during the winter months with an average precipitation of {{convert|38.81|in|sigfig=3}} and an average snowfall of {{convert|182.9|in|cm|0}}.<ref name = NOAA/> Summers are dry with warm daytime temperatures (can exceed {{convert|90|°F|1}} on 6.3 days) and cold nighttime temperatures that often reach below {{convert|32|°F|1}}.<ref name = NOAA/> The average high in the warmest month, July is {{convert|82.3|°F|1}} and the average low is {{convert|43.5|°F|1}} with a mean precipitation of only {{convert|0.35|in|cm|1}}. The record low is {{convert|-28|°F|1}} on February 27, 1962, and the record high is {{convert|99|°F|1}} on July 10&ndash;11, 2002 and August 9, 1981.<ref name = XMACIS2/>

<div style="width:80%;">
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Donner Memorial State Park
|location = Donner Memorial State Park, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–2015
|single line = Y
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 61
|Feb record high F = 65
|Jan record high F = 67
|Feb record high F = 67
|Mar record high F = 72
|Mar record high F = 72
|Apr record high F = 79
|Apr record high F = 79
Line 88: Line 89:
|Nov record high F = 75
|Nov record high F = 75
|Dec record high F = 67
|Dec record high F = 67

|year record high F = 99
|Jan high F = 40.3
|Jan avg record high F = 54.2
|Feb high F = 43.2
|Feb avg record high F = 56.1
|Mar high F = 47.0
|Mar avg record high F = 61.6
|Apr high F = 53.3
|Apr avg record high F = 70.5
|May avg record high F = 79.8
|Jun avg record high F = 85.5
|Jul avg record high F = 91.0
|Aug avg record high F = 89.9
|Sep avg record high F = 85.5
|Oct avg record high F = 76.4
|Nov avg record high F = 63.9
|Dec avg record high F = 52.4
|year avg record high F = 92.7

|Jan high F = 41.0
|Feb high F = 43.1
|Mar high F = 47.8
|Apr high F = 53.5
|May high F = 63.2
|May high F = 63.2
|Jun high F = 72.6
|Jun high F = 73.0
|Jul high F = 81.2
|Jul high F = 82.3
|Aug high F = 80.5
|Aug high F = 80.8
|Sep high F = 74.1
|Sep high F = 74.5
|Oct high F = 62.8
|Oct high F = 62.6
|Nov high F = 49.2
|Nov high F = 49.2
|Dec high F = 40.9
|Dec high F = 39.1
|year high F = 59.0
|year high F =

|Jan mean F= 27.2
|Feb mean F= 29.4
|Jan mean F = 29.0
|Mar mean F= 33.6
|Feb mean F = 30.7
|Apr mean F= 39.1
|Mar mean F = 34.8
|May mean F= 47.3
|Apr mean F = 39.9
|Jun mean F= 54.7
|May mean F = 48.1
|Jul mean F= 61.2
|Jun mean F = 55.5
|Aug mean F= 60.3
|Jul mean F = 62.9
|Sep mean F= 54.3
|Aug mean F = 61.4
|Oct mean F= 45.3
|Sep mean F = 55.4
|Nov mean F= 35.6
|Oct mean F = 45.9
|Dec mean F= 27.9
|Nov mean F = 35.9
|year mean F= 43.0
|Dec mean F = 28.1
|Jan low F = 14.2
|year mean F =

|Feb low F = 15.7
|Mar low F = 20.2
|Jan low F = 17.0
|Apr low F = 25.0
|Feb low F = 18.4
|May low F = 31.4
|Mar low F = 21.8
|Jun low F = 36.9
|Apr low F = 26.2
|Jul low F = 41.2
|May low F = 33.0
|Aug low F = 40.1
|Jun low F = 38.0
|Sep low F = 34.6
|Jul low F = 43.5
|Oct low F = 27.8
|Aug low F = 42.0
|Nov low F = 22.1
|Sep low F = 36.3
|Dec low F = 15.2
|Oct low F = 29.2
|year low F = 27.0
|Nov low F = 22.7
|Dec low F = 17.1
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 0.4
|Feb avg record low F = 0.2
|Mar avg record low F = 6.9
|Apr avg record low F = 15.7
|May avg record low F = 23.3
|Jun avg record low F = 28.1
|Jul avg record low F = 33.7
|Aug avg record low F = 33.2
|Sep avg record low F = 27.0
|Oct avg record low F = 19.7
|Nov avg record low F = 9.0
|Dec avg record low F = 0.6
|year avg record low F = -4.6

|Jan record low F = -18
|Jan record low F = -18
|Feb record low F = -28
|Feb record low F = -28
Line 139: Line 171:
|Oct record low F = 4
|Oct record low F = 4
|Nov record low F = -3
|Nov record low F = -3
|Dec record low F = -31
|Dec record low F = -23

|year record low F = -31
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 7.13
|Jan precipitation inch = 6.73
|Feb precipitation inch = 6.19
|Feb precipitation inch = 6.57
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.73
|Mar precipitation inch = 6.18
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.69
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.67
|May precipitation inch = 1.61
|May precipitation inch = 2.13
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.85
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.67
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.35
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.35
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.50
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.36
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.80
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.49
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.05
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.19
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.56
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.57
|Dec precipitation inch = 6.83
|Dec precipitation inch = 6.90
|year precipitation inch = 39.28
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 39.9
|Feb snow inch = 38.9
|Mar snow inch = 35.8
|Apr snow inch = 17.6
|May snow inch = 3.7
|Jun snow inch = 0.3
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0.2
|Oct snow inch = 2.0
|Nov snow inch = 14.2
|Dec snow inch = 33.4
|year snow inch = 186.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Jan precipitation days = 10.7
|Feb precipitation days = 10
|Feb precipitation days = 10.3
|Mar precipitation days = 11
|Mar precipitation days = 9.7
|Apr precipitation days = 8
|Apr precipitation days = 7.4
|May precipitation days = 6
|May precipitation days = 6.6
|Jun precipitation days = 3
|Jun precipitation days = 3.2
|Jul precipitation days = 2
|Jul precipitation days = 1.3
|Aug precipitation days = 2
|Aug precipitation days = 1.6
|Sep precipitation days = 3
|Sep precipitation days = 2.4
|Oct precipitation days = 5
|Oct precipitation days = 4.3
|Nov precipitation days = 8
|Nov precipitation days = 6.5
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|Dec precipitation days = 10.5

|year precipitation days = 77
|Jan snow inch = 40.0
|source 1 = Western Regional Climate Center (normals and extremes 1893-present)<ref name = WRCC >
|Feb snow inch = 37.7
|Mar snow inch = 32.9
|Apr snow inch = 15.4
|May snow inch = 3.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.5
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 2.4
|Nov snow inch = 10.1
|Dec snow inch = 40.5
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 8.9
|Feb snow days = 8.5
|Mar snow days = 6.8
|Apr snow days = 4.7
|May snow days = 1.6
|Jun snow days = 0.3
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.0
|Nov snow days = 3.3
|Dec snow days = 7.6

|Jan snow depth inch = 34.1
|Feb snow depth inch = 40.4
|Mar snow depth inch = 36.9
|Apr snow depth inch = 18.7
|May snow depth inch = 3.8
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.3
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.2
|Oct snow depth inch = 1.7
|Nov snow depth inch = 8.6
|Dec snow depth inch = 24.8
|year snow depth inch = 51.7

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00042467&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca6074
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = General Climate Summary Tables – Donner Memorial St Pk, California
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Donner MEM SP, CA
|publisher= Western Regional Climate Center
|accessdate = December 6, 2012
|access-date = March 4, 2023
}}</ref>
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS2 (mean maxima/minima, snow depth 1981&ndash;2010)<ref name = XMACIS2>
|date= December 2012
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = March 4, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}
}}
</div>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 205: Line 274:
{{Protected areas of California|SP}}
{{Protected areas of California|SP}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in California}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in California}}
{{Sierra Nevada}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
Line 220: Line 290:
[[Category:1928 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Campgrounds in California]]
[[Category:Campgrounds in California]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Sierra Nevada (United States)]]
[[Category:Temporary populated places on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Temporary populated places on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party]]
[[Category:Stephens–Townsend–Murphy Party]]

Latest revision as of 17:11, 27 February 2024

Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Lake, with Donner Memorial State Park at the far end, right, viewed from near Donner Peak
Map showing the location of Donner Memorial State Park
Map showing the location of Donner Memorial State Park
Map showing the location of Donner Memorial State Park
Map showing the location of Donner Memorial State Park
LocationNevada and Placer Counties, California, US
Nearest cityTruckee, California
Coordinates39°19′12″N 120°14′30″W / 39.32000°N 120.24167°W / 39.32000; -120.24167
Area3,293 acres (13.33 km2)
Established1928
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation
Donner Camp
The Donner Party Memorial at Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial State Park is located in California
Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial State Park is located in the United States
Donner Memorial State Park
Nearest cityTruckee, California
AreaCalifornia
Built1846
NRHP reference No.66000218[1]
CHISL No.134[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966
Designated NHLJanuary 20, 1961[3]
Beach at China Cove in Donner Memorial State Park

Donner Memorial State Park is a state park of California, US, preserving the site of the Donner Camp, where members of the ill-fated Donner Party were trapped by weather during the winter of 1846–1847. Caught without shelter or adequate supplies, members of the group resorted to cannibalism to survive. The Sierra Nevada site has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The state park contains the Emigrant Trail Museum and the Pioneer Monument dedicated to the travelers of the Emigrant Trail.

Donner Memorial State Park is located outside Truckee, California. It has 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of hiking trails, campgrounds, and 3 miles (4.8 km) of lake frontage on Donner Lake, east of Donner Pass. The 3,293-acre (1,333 ha) park was established in 1928.[4]

Visitor center[edit]

The Donner Memorial State Park visitor center contains exhibits about the cultural history of the area, including local Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the First transcontinental railroad. Near the museum is the Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party's Murphy family cabin site. Park staff offer hikes, special presentations and campfires by the museum.

Pioneer Monument[edit]

The Pioneer Monument was erected in honor of all who made the difficult trek across the western plains and mountains to reach California during the 1840s. Work on the monument, constructed near the site of the cabins that gave shelter to the Donner Party, began in 1901. On June 6, 1918, in a ceremony that included Donner Party survivors, the Native Sons of the Golden West donated the completed monument and 11 surrounding acres to the State of California.

The plaque on the front of the Pioneer Statue reads:

VIRILE TO RISK AND FIND; KINDLY WITHAL AND A READY HELP. FACING THE BRUNT OF FATE; INDOMITABLE,—UNAFRAID.

The plaque on the rear of the Pioneer Statue reads:

NEAR THIS SPOT STOOD THE BREEN CABIN OF THE PARTY OF EMIGRANTS WHO STARTED FOR CALIFORNIA FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, IN APRIL 1846, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CAPTAIN GEORGE DONNER. DELAYS OCCURRED AND WHEN THE PARTY REACHED THIS LOCALITY, ON OCTOBER 29, THE TRUCKEE PASS EMIGRANT ROAD WAS CONCEALED BY SNOW. THE HEIGHT OF THE SHAFT OF THE MONUMENT INDICATES THE DEPTH OF THE SNOW, WHICH WAS TWENTY-TWO FEET. AFTER FUTILE EFFORTS TO CROSS THE SUMMIT THE PARTY WAS COMPELLED TO ENCAMP FOR THE WINTER. THE GRAVES CABIN WAS SITUATED ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE TO THE EASTWARD, THE MURPHY CABIN ABOUT TWO HUNDRED YARDS SOUTHWEST OF THE MONUMENT, AND THE DONNER TENTS WERE AT THE HEAD OF ALDER CREEK. NINETY PEOPLE WERE IN THE PARTY AND FORTY-TWO PERISHED, MOST OF THEM FROM STARVATION AND EXPOSURE.


IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PIONEERS WHO CROSSED THE PLAINS TO SETTLE IN CALIFORNIA. MONUMENT ERECTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIVE SONS AND THE NATIVE DAUGHTERS OF THE GOLDEN WEST. MONUMENT DEDICATED JUNE 6, 1918

From the museum a trail leads about 200 yards (180 m) to the large granite boulder against which was built the cabin that sheltered members of the Murphy, Pike, Foster, and Eddy families during the winter of 1846–47. A plaque on the boulder's face reads:

THE FACE OF THIS ROCK FORMED THE NORTH END AND THE FIREPLACE OF THE MURPHY CABIN. GENERAL STEPHEN W. KEARNY, ON JUNE 22, 1847, BURIED UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE CABIN THE BODIES FOUND IN THE VICINITY. FOLLOWING IS A COMPLETE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DONNER PARTY WHO OCCUPIED THE VARIOUS CABINS AND TENTS.

This is followed by a list of the members of the Donner Party, divided into "Survived" and "Perished." (Some of the information on this plaque is inaccurate, however.)[5]

The Moses Schallenberger plaque reads:

SCHALLENBERGER CABIN SITE \ Near this spot stood a small cabin built by 18-year-old Moses Schallenberger and two other men. They were members of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party of 1844, the first pioneers to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail. The three men had volunteered to remain behind and guard six of the wagons left here by the main party. \ Due to extreme winter weather conditions and lack of food, the three men agreed to separate. The two older men rejoined the wagon party, but due to his weakened physical condition, Moses Schallenberger chose to remain at the cabin. The young man survived for nearly three months alone in the small cabin during the winter of 1844–45 before being rescued. His cabin would later provide shelter for the Breen family, members of the ill-fated Donner Party, who were stranded here in 1846–47. \ The courage and resolution of Moses Schallenberger during his solitary winter ordeal in this cabin makes him one of the true heroes in the saga of the California Trail. \ Dedicated August 19, 1995 \ Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission \ Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation \ Nev-01-95 \ This monument was made possible through the generosity of many groups and individuals committed to the preservation of the California Trail.

Climate[edit]

The park has either a Mediterranean climate or a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dsb/Csb) with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Winters are cold with a January average of 27.2 °F (−2.7 °C) and temperatures below 0 °F (−17.8 °C) occur on 3.6 days per year.[6] Most of the precipitation falls during the winter months with an average precipitation of 38.81 inches (986 mm) and an average snowfall of 182.9 inches (465 cm).[6] Summers are dry with warm daytime temperatures (can exceed 90 °F (32.2 °C) on 6.3 days) and cold nighttime temperatures that often reach below 32 °F (0.0 °C).[6] The average high in the warmest month, July is 82.3 °F (27.9 °C) and the average low is 43.5 °F (6.4 °C) with a mean precipitation of only 0.35 inches (0.9 cm). The record low is −28 °F (−33.3 °C) on February 27, 1962, and the record high is 99 °F (37.2 °C) on July 10–11, 2002 and August 9, 1981.[7]

Climate data for Donner Memorial State Park, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–2015
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19) 		67
(19) 		72
(22) 		79
(26) 		88
(31) 		95
(35) 		99
(37) 		99
(37) 		96
(36) 		90
(32) 		75
(24) 		67
(19) 		99
(37)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 54.2
(12.3) 		56.1
(13.4) 		61.6
(16.4) 		70.5
(21.4) 		79.8
(26.6) 		85.5
(29.7) 		91.0
(32.8) 		89.9
(32.2) 		85.5
(29.7) 		76.4
(24.7) 		63.9
(17.7) 		52.4
(11.3) 		92.7
(33.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 41.0
(5.0) 		43.1
(6.2) 		47.8
(8.8) 		53.5
(11.9) 		63.2
(17.3) 		73.0
(22.8) 		82.3
(27.9) 		80.8
(27.1) 		74.5
(23.6) 		62.6
(17.0) 		49.2
(9.6) 		39.1
(3.9) 		59.2
(15.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29.0
(−1.7) 		30.7
(−0.7) 		34.8
(1.6) 		39.9
(4.4) 		48.1
(8.9) 		55.5
(13.1) 		62.9
(17.2) 		61.4
(16.3) 		55.4
(13.0) 		45.9
(7.7) 		35.9
(2.2) 		28.1
(−2.2) 		44.0
(6.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 17.0
(−8.3) 		18.4
(−7.6) 		21.8
(−5.7) 		26.2
(−3.2) 		33.0
(0.6) 		38.0
(3.3) 		43.5
(6.4) 		42.0
(5.6) 		36.3
(2.4) 		29.2
(−1.6) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		17.1
(−8.3) 		28.8
(−1.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 0.4
(−17.6) 		0.2
(−17.7) 		6.9
(−13.9) 		15.7
(−9.1) 		23.3
(−4.8) 		28.1
(−2.2) 		33.7
(0.9) 		33.2
(0.7) 		27.0
(−2.8) 		19.7
(−6.8) 		9.0
(−12.8) 		0.6
(−17.4) 		−4.6
(−20.3)
Record low °F (°C) −18
(−28) 		−28
(−33) 		−10
(−23) 		0
(−18) 		10
(−12) 		21
(−6) 		23
(−5) 		20
(−7) 		16
(−9) 		4
(−16) 		−3
(−19) 		−23
(−31) 		−28
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 6.73
(171) 		6.57
(167) 		6.18
(157) 		2.67
(68) 		2.13
(54) 		0.67
(17) 		0.35
(8.9) 		0.36
(9.1) 		0.49
(12) 		2.19
(56) 		3.57
(91) 		6.90
(175) 		38.81
(986)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 40.0
(102) 		37.7
(96) 		32.9
(84) 		15.4
(39) 		3.4
(8.6) 		0.5
(1.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.4
(6.1) 		10.1
(26) 		40.5
(103) 		182.9
(466)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 34.1
(87) 		40.4
(103) 		36.9
(94) 		18.7
(47) 		3.8
(9.7) 		0.3
(0.76) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.2
(0.51) 		1.7
(4.3) 		8.6
(22) 		24.8
(63) 		51.7
(131)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.7 10.3 9.7 7.4 6.6 3.2 1.3 1.6 2.4 4.3 6.5 10.5 74.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.9 8.5 6.8 4.7 1.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 3.3 7.6 42.7
Source 1: NOAA[6]
Source 2: XMACIS2 (mean maxima/minima, snow depth 1981–2010)[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "Pioneer Monument". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Donner Camp". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  4. ^ "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10" (PDF). California State Parks: 32. Retrieved December 12, 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Johnson, Kristin. "Brief Myths: Murphy cabin plaque". New Light on the Donner Party. Utah Crossroads Chapter, Oregon-California Trails Association. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2007. western, not northern, wall ... burial did not take place at the Murphy cabin
  6. ^ a b c d "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Donner MEM SP, CA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
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External links[edit]

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