Tahoe Vista, CA. – The Sierra State Parks Foundation has unveiled four new interpretative panels that tell the story of Mark Twain’s 1861 timber claim adventure and wildfire. These new panels are located at Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay, Sandy Beach in Tahoe Vista, and North Tahoe Beach in Kings Beach. On May 20, 2022, there was a private dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting to celebrate this big achievement.
These panels tell the story of Mark Twain’s (Samuel L. Clemens) quest to stake a timber claim at Lake Tahoe. Mark Twain is one of America’s most revered writers and humorists. He arrived at Lake Tahoe hoping to strike it rich, capturing his experiences in his book “Roughing It,” which included lyrical descriptions of the majestic landscape, his attempts to make a fortune, and a brush of death with a fast-moving wildfire!
“These interpretative panels will accessibly connect visitors with the rich cultural and literary history the Lake Tahoe region holds,” says David Antonucci, Tahoe resident of 40 years and lead researcher of this project.
Twain wrote, “As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”
One hundred fifty years ago this year, Mark Twain published Roughing It. While the beauty and serenity of the lake deeply moved Twain, his first visit to the lake had a more practical purpose. He sought to stake a timber claim on the North Shore and sell the lumber to the mines in Virginia City, Nevada.
“…for we intended to take up a wood ranch or so ourselves and become wealthy.”
The new panels are part of a series of eight stretching from Tunnel Creek Road, where Twain first viewed the lake, extending as far west as Carnelian Bay. Collectively, they are known informally as the Mark Twain Timber Claim Adventure Trail, a Sierra Nevada Geotourism Historic Place.
The ceremonies honored the individuals, private donors, and agencies that vetted, funded, and hosted the panels.
Information on Mark Twain’s timber claim adventure is available at these sites.