Truckee – From Railroad Town to Destination Resort
Truckee – From Railroad Town to Destination Resort
Truckee has changed a lot in the last 150 years. From thousands of miles by covered wagons to this access point to California, over Donner Summit, even before the Donner Party added its’ name to the history books. With the railroad came access for gold and silver from the mines of Virginia City to the untamed town of San Fran Cisco. Ice tinkled in the glasses of the Barbary Coast, which came all the way from the ice cutting barns of Boca and Donner Lakes. The Barbary Coast was where unwitting revelers were drugged and hijacked at night and woke up the next day on a sailing ship bound for New York around the Horn. This, since the Bay was full of 4 masters where everyone was going to the Sierras and there were no sailors to man the ships.
Much history can still be found in this storied town, with hints of its’ sordid past still remaining, if one only knows where to look. Jibboom Street, quiet now, was the notorious red light district. If you can find your way behind the grove of aspens, next to the side wall of the post office, you will find a small stone and brass monument to the former ladies of the night. Most of the old buildings are gone now with the jail and a few others remaining. Many a railroad worker, traveler and cowboy spent the night in Truckee’s jail, minus their poke, nursing a heavy head and a few bruises. The Chinese Herb Shop has been restored near the Truckee River bridge on Old Brockway Road, still remaining in its’ original site. Curiosity draws one to just have a look inside, wondering if an ancient Chinese man will greet us from behind the counter with his store of herbs lining the back wall..
It is difficult to see Truckee today and imagine back to its’ wild beginnings. Many world class ventures have found a home here; The Ritz-Carlton opened its doors not 2 months ago. The Avery Hotel will find its’ home on the Truckee River just across the street from the Chinese Herb Shop. Down the street from the Avery stands the Truckee River Winery which boasts the highest winery in the U.S. Good wine too. Northstar, with its’ family friendly skiing, has built a European Village with shops, restaurants, complete with an ice skating rink and condominiums. Martis Camp and the Ritz-Carlton both have ski lifts taking guests to Northstar for a day of skiing.
Who would have dreamed in the “good old days” that Truckee would now boast the most real estate activity in the entire California Lake Tahoe/Truckee region. This entire area, according to the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, had 792 sales of single family homes in 2009. Truckee and Donner Summit accounted for 492 of these or, 62% of all real estate sales for the entire California Lake Tahoe/Truckee area. From wild beginnings to relatively quiet family vacation living in just 150 years --- astounding!
Don Schaller
Broker/ owner
The Schaller family Realtors
Dickson Realty,Truckee
