Celebrate South LakeTahoe's historical past this weekend with Western Days and Wagon Train

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 74th annual Wagon Train rides through South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, and to celebrate the occasion the Lake Tahoe Historical Society is kicking it off with a Western Days celebration on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum complex located at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

There will be two bands, a Bonanza history show, BBQ from Chicken in a Barrel, drinks, vendors of hats, nuts, jewelry, medicine bags, buckskin clothing, candles, art, and more! The Hangtown Marshals will perform throughout the day. Bring the kids as there will be dozens of historic games for them to learn and play. The Lake Tahoe Historical Society will have free museum and cabin tours and they will have two fabulous themed baskets that can be won in a raffle. Catch a ride on the horse-drawn carriage for a ride through the woods! Those attending are encouraged to ride bikes, grab public transportation, or walk to the event. There will be limited parking along Lyons Avenue, Rufus Allen Blvd., and at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center.

On Sunday, June 4, the Wagon Train will be leaving its overnight spot at Round Hill, Nevada and start their annual trip to Placerville along US50. They will be stopping at the Lake Tahoe Historical Museum on Sunday, June 4 for their lunch break at approximately 11:30 a.m. The riders, horses and wagons will then proceed down US50 through the Y to Lake Tahoe Blvd., Sawmill Road, and then the Amacker Ranch for an overnight stay. The public is welcome to the lunch stop at the museum and visit with the horses and riders. The best place to park will be at the Recreation Center as the parking lot at the museum will be closed due to safety for the horses.

In 1946, almost 100 years after the first cry of "Gold" echoed around the world, residents started thinking about recreating a wagon train to commemorate the valiant struggles of the early emigrants who found their way to their homes in California via the old "Roaring Road".

Three years later, local business owners and residents made that dream a reality to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gold Rush. Not only would it celebrate those who came to seek their fortunes, the US50 Wagon Train could bring visitors to South Lake Tahoe through the American River Canyon.

By 1949, the dream had become a reality! To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the "Gold Rush", a Wagon Train was formed, to travel west from Lake Tahoe to Placerville (Old Hangtown) along Highway 50. Business owners thought this would draw a great deal of attention to the Highway 50 corridor and the small businesses that operated along it.

The first Highway 50 Wagon Train was a smashing success and was supposed to be a one-time event! This "one time" event was not presented in 1950, but due to the overwhelming popularity and encouragement offered, the Wagon Train resumed in 1951, and has made its annual trek each year since that time. What began as a fun filled and exciting adventure has evolved into a true historic event, recognized as such in 1980 by the State of California, and again in 1982 by the State of Nevada. To date, the Highway 50 Association Wagon Train is known as the ONLY Bi-State Historic Event!

As early as the 1840's, a trickle of humanity began the arduous journey toward the great Pacific and the freedom they foresaw in settling there. In 1849, the cry of "Gold" from the foothills of the California territory rocked the world! Instant riches was a lure too strong to ignore, and that little trickle of settlers swelled into a mighty flood of gold seekers and adventurers, bound for California and the "Mother Lode". Leaving property and families behind, hordes of men and a few women traveled West, following the setting sun, seeing only the glint of gold in their eyes. Many routes were taken to the gold fields; across the plains and mountain ranges of this great continent, by sailing ship around the Horn, or to the Isthmus of Panama, and a trek through tropical jungle to board another ship on the Pacific side, and up the coast of Mexico to ports of San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco. From there, it was overland to the foothills, where it was told that gold, lots of gold, was lying on the ground, just waiting to be taken.

For more information on the US50 Wagon Train Association and the next weeks activities along the trail, visit https://www.hwy50wagontrain.com/.