Historian and Author Mark McLaughlin at Dangberg Historic Park

Historian and author Mark McLaughlin will present his program “Reign of the Storm King” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, October 3, at 10:00 a.m.

Residents and travelers in the Sierra Nevada endure some of the most brutal winter storms in the world. Snowfall measured in feet, 180 M.P.H. wind gusts, and destructive avalanches. In 1890 extreme winter storms dumped 65 feet of snow and crushed railroad operations over Donner Pass. During the winter of 1952, powerful snowstorms paralyzed the region and again shut down the railroad. Highway 40, a vital trans-Sierra highway, was blocked by snow drifts for 30 consecutive days. Mark McLaughlin’s presentation captures the compelling stories and dramatic images of railroad and highway crews fighting mountain blizzards and deadly avalanches from historic winters past.

Tahoe weather historian Mark McLaughlin is an award-winning, nationally published author and professional speaker with six books and more than 650 articles in print. Educated as a cultural geographer and historian at the University of Nevada, Reno, McLaughlin’s work appears regularly in California and Nevada media. As a prolific writer, he has received the Nevada State Press award five times.

Mark McLaughlin is a popular lecturer who has lived at North Lake Tahoe since 1978. McLaughlin teaches Sierra Nevada history using entertaining stories, slide shows and informative field trips. He has entertained and educated countless groups and conferences about Tahoe’s cultural and environmental history in more than 1,000 presentations. He has also appeared as an expert consultant on CNN, The History Channel and The Weather Channel, as well as many historical documentaries.
This is a free outdoor event. The park is located at 1450 Hwy 88, ¼ mile north of the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Shaded seating area available. Dogs are not permitted in the park, with the exception of certified service animals. For more information, visit dangberghomeranch.org or call 775-783-9417.

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