Truckee Donner Historical Society

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Truckee Donner Historical Society TDHS was founded July 24, 1968 to preserve the history of the Truckee Donner area. Research Cabin is open Thursdays 10:00am-2:00pm and Sundays Noon-4pm.

The Society operates the Old Jail Museum, built in 1875 located at corner of Jibboom & Spring Streets in Downtown Truckee & Joseph Research Library 10115 Donner Trail Museum is open Truckee Thursdays 5:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm (dependent upon volunteers!).

09/18/2026

Sampson was the first! The railroad has always had our back! Historical data incoming: "The Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) engine Sampson (frequently spelled Samson) was the very first fire train locomotive deployed in the United States, stationed at Truckee, California in June 1872.The CPRR created this dedicated firefighting train specifically to safeguard the vital, highly flammable wooden snow sheds and bridges over the Sierra Nevada's Donner Pass." Union Pacific Railroad

09/18/2026

Interesting History from New Mexico

Did you go? It was a beautiful day.
09/04/2026

Did you go? It was a beautiful day.

Quickly and easily listen to KTKE - Community Spotlight for free!

Who's going to come visit us?
08/27/2026

Who's going to come visit us?

Get ready, the Old Timers' Picnic is right around the corner!
07/08/2026

Get ready, the Old Timers' Picnic is right around the corner!

Another Thank you to everyone for supporting us! The Parade was great, so many people enjoying the Nation's Birthday. ...
07/06/2026

Another Thank you to everyone for supporting us! The Parade was great, so many people enjoying the Nation's Birthday. BUT!!!!! We can't help but go backwards and share some past parades.

Thank you all for supporting the Truckee-Donner Historical Society for our America 250 4th of July as we were proud to b...
07/05/2026

Thank you all for supporting the Truckee-Donner Historical Society for our America 250 4th of July as we were proud to be leading the parade as Grand Marshal's. Here's a little collection of photos.

Get ready, here come the Grand Marshals.
07/04/2026

Get ready, here come the Grand Marshals.

Preparing for the day
07/04/2026

Preparing for the day

Tomorrow is the 250th Anniversary of our country. Sometime in June of 1867 (we don't have the exact date!) the area set...
07/03/2026

Tomorrow is the 250th Anniversary of our country. Sometime in June of 1867 (we don't have the exact date!) the area settled as Coburn's Station was formally named Truckee by the Central Pacific Railroad. The name was not totally accepted until 1868 and we have found that it was named Truckee for the river which was named after Chief Truckee. The exact spot is where the River Meets the Railroad for the first time on the west side! So we are celebrating both Birthdays! Truckee is 159 yrs old! It is hard to hold on to History in this day and age and this town was the first town built on the East side of the Sierra Summit by the railroad. It's history is rich, deep and can be troubling but here we are, with TDHS leading the 4th of July Parade as Grand Marshal! So with that having been said, Happy Birthday Truckee and America!

Address

Museums: Old Truckee Jail 10142 Jibboom St. & Museum Of Truckee History 10065 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA
96161

Telephone

+15305820893

Website

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