Trout Creek in Truckee
From: "Denny Dickinson" echosdad@hotmail.com
I am a serious historical researcher doing research on Trout Creek in Truckee, California through the Truckee Donner Historical Society (TDHS). ...
The Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum has published a CPRR Survey Map 1868, Nevada County, CA. I believe that the 1889 USGS map is in error showing Trout Creek flowing in southerly direction into the Truckee River around what is now the Bridge Street Bridge. This map may show the true direction of Trout Creek in 1886. Would it be possible to get the present day location of this map for my review. ...
–Denny Dickinson
PS - The TDSH library is open every Thur. 10-2. I would like to invite anyone interested in Truckee history to stop by for a visit.
I am a serious historical researcher doing research on Trout Creek in Truckee, California through the Truckee Donner Historical Society (TDHS). ...
The Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum has published a CPRR Survey Map 1868, Nevada County, CA. I believe that the 1889 USGS map is in error showing Trout Creek flowing in southerly direction into the Truckee River around what is now the Bridge Street Bridge. This map may show the true direction of Trout Creek in 1886. Would it be possible to get the present day location of this map for my review. ...
–Denny Dickinson
PS - The TDSH library is open every Thur. 10-2. I would like to invite anyone interested in Truckee history to stop by for a visit.
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 1:55 PM
7 Comments:
The "CPRR Survey Map 1868, Nevada County, California" was in the private collection of Debbie A. Kenitzer in 2002.
From: "Denny Dickinson" echosdad@hotmail.com
... Do you know if there is a copy of that map any where in Sacramento?
—Denny D.
Believe that map was a unique original in the possession of CPRR Chief Engineer, Samuel S. Montague, not a printed map.
Suggest you visit the US Dept of Land Management on Cottage Way in Sacramento, open 8:30 to 4 pm weekdays. They have ORIGINAL 1865-1890 hand drawn maps of California/Nevada, sized about 24x36 inches,they can make a copy for $4.
G J Chris Graves
Newcastle,Cal.
Maps for sale at the US Dept of Land Management on Cottage Way in Sacramento.
From: "Denny Dickinson" echosdad@hotmail.com
Thank you for the lead. I was there once before, time to go back. My historical research is focused on Trout Creek here in Truckee. I have found historical evidence of four dams on the creek. All these dams appear to have been built for the interest of the railroad. The railroad used this creek to supply their water works until 1952. Some of this water works is still in place. Like a dam, a 100,000 gal covered reservoir, a SP pump house, and a water tower. I have also found the water pipe used to supply this water system and its grade into town. I believe this grade to be the same that was used by Elle Ellen's flume to supply lumber to the CPRR. I also have reason to believe that the railroad may have helped build that flume using Chinese labor.
I have looked at many early railroad maps. I have not found one that shows the flow of Trout Creek through the railyard. A 1889 USGS indicates that Trout Creek flowed in a southerly direction right where the first round house was built. That would have meant that the CPRR changed the flow of the creek at the foot of town (now the intersection of Bridge St and Jibboom St). The very early Truckee pictures show the creek out flow into the Truckee River to be about a mile east of town. I am looking for evidence as to the exact flow of Trout Creek in 1866.
I also believe that T. Judah selected Truckee as the site for the CPRR railyard very early (1861). And that Joseph Grey may had a connection with the railroad and set up his way station near Trout Creek (1863) to claim the water rights for the railroad. I also find it interesting that Elle Ellen appears to have had a sweet heart deal with the railroad.
I learn something new about Truckee history almost everyday now. Any help that you can give will be greatly appreciated.
—Denny D.
PS - The Truckee Donner Historical Society is open on Thurs 10-2. The society has a lot of early raiload pictures.
From: "Dennis A. Dickinson" herosdad56@earthlink.net
Cc: "TDHS" cmortier@truckeehistory.org
Re: Trout Creek Research
Attached is a 1953 aerial provide by Caltrans for historical research. I have taken the liberty to enlarge the area above Historic Downtown Truckee to enhance the area of Trout Creek. There is a dam and what appears to be a reservoir above what was once the Keiser Ave bridge. This dam appears in a 1930 USFS map. I have reason to believe that this dam may have been built my the CPRR to supply their early waterworks at the Truckee Railyard. I did some research at the California State Railroad Museum looking for any information about this dam. I fount no information about this dam, however I did however find information about a later railroad water works project that is still in place at the Truckee Caltrans maintenance yard. Does anyone have any information that would help me with my Trout Creek Watershed historical research? This dam may have been built by the Chinese and used by the Trout Creek Ice Company to supply water to their ice ponds. Ellie Ellen may have built a flume to supply water from this dam.
There were several dams built on the Truckee River for the logging and ice industry. All these dam where later removed by the federal government. The Trout Creek dam was still in place in 1953. The dam was removed in the late 50's to make way for I-80. Looking for information to complete my Trout Creek research.
Dennis A. Dickinson - Santa Fe - Truckee Trout Creek Research Historian.
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