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One of the ideas local commercial interests had to encourage travelers to come to cross Donner Summit early in the season was the Tahoe Tavern’s Silver Cup. The Tahoe Tavern was a resort in Tahoe City where Granlibakken Rd. intersects with Highway 89. The silver cup was awarded to the first automobile to cross the Summit.
In 1911 Arthur Foote, of Grass Valley, entered the race along with several friends. It would take nine days to go from Grass Valley to Tahoe City over Donner Summit which was still covered in snow. Hard snow can be driven on apparently fairly well. Foote won probably because he was better prepared than other drivers. Storms had washed out the bridge at Cisco Grove but Foote’s block and tackle got him across.
The block and tackle was also useful for pulling the automobile out of soft snow or crevices. Rope tire chains and tire sleds were also used on the slippery slopes.
It took seven days to get from Emigrant Gap to Soda Springs, 23 miles. It was downhill from there to breakfast at Donner.
Thank you to the Donner Summit Historical Society for the use of these photos. #donnersummit #
In 1911 Arthur Foote, of Grass Valley, entered the race along with several friends. It would take nine days to go from Grass Valley to Tahoe City over Donner Summit which was still covered in snow. Hard snow can be driven on apparently fairly well. Foote won probably because he was better prepared than other drivers. Storms had washed out the bridge at Cisco Grove but Foote’s block and tackle got him across.
The block and tackle was also useful for pulling the automobile out of soft snow or crevices. Rope tire chains and tire sleds were also used on the slippery slopes.
It took seven days to get from Emigrant Gap to Soda Springs, 23 miles. It was downhill from there to breakfast at Donner.
Thank you to the Donner Summit Historical Society for the use of these photos. #donnersummit #
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