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Historical Marker at Boreal

INSCRIPTION:

SNOWSHOE THOMPSON

A hero of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!

Probably the first skier of the West. This Viking son of Norway, exemplified the spirit of a true pioneer. Strong, daring, faithful and courageous he was the answer to California’s motto

Bring Me Men to Match My Mountains.

For 20 years he was the winter lifeline between the new State of California and the East with a regular mail schedule between Placerville, California and Genoa, Nevada and other isolated hamlets of the Mother Lode Country. Mail, news of the world, medicine, supplies, and equipment arrived on the sturdy shoulders of this giant snow Viking. Over great snowdrifts through raging winter storms with packs of up to 100 pounds, he made his appointed rounds. His daring rescues, errands of mercy and many kindnesses made him a legend in his own time.

He was born John Tostensen at Tinn in Telemark, Norway April 30, 1827. He died May 15, 1876, at the age of 49. He rests at the base of the mountains he loved, by the side of his wife and son in the cemetery at Genoa, Nevada. A simple headstone, engraved with a pair of skis, marks his grave.

ERECTED BY SNOWSHOE THOMPSON LODGE NO 78 SONS OF NORWAY, YUBA CITY, CALIF MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

HAROLD MOORE, A.J. MAC Mc CABE, STANLEY MOE SCULPTOR ANGUS KENT LAMAR