20 Mile Museum – Donner Summit Historical Society

Donner Summit Historical Society’s 20 Mile Museum highlights the history and beauty of the Summit. Interpretive signs have been placed mostly along Old Highway 40 and nearby from Auburn to Truckee.

Donner Summit is grand and unique and the Donner Summit Historical Society’s 20 Mile Museum highlights the history and beauty of the Summit. Interpretive signs have been placed mostly along Old Highway 40 and nearby from Auburn to Truckee. Each sign highlights history, displays historical photographs and quotes, tells a story, and lists activities for that location. As of the beginning of 2016 there are 45 ’20 Mile Museum’ signs.

  • Hours Self-Drive Tour, Weather Dependent
  • Address Old Highway 40 and nearby from Auburn to Truckee
  • Phone 209-606-6859
  • Website Donner Summit Historical Society
  • Best Feature Grand and Picturesque Drive
  • Historic Drive
  • Petroglyphs
  • Transcontinental Railroad

Take the Scenic Route Along Old Highway 40 on Donner Summit. Most of the signs have been placed along Old Highway 40 from the Nyack Exit on I-80 over Donner Summit and down into Truckee.  A few signs sit on adjacent roads.  Each sign highlights history, displays historical photographs and quotes, tells a story, and lists activities for the location.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

  • Foothill Roots Farm

    Foothill Roots Farm

    Meadow Vista, CA

    Wonderfully fresh and responsibly grown produce.

    17565 Placer Hills Road, Mewdow Vista, CA 95722
  • Downtown Walking Tour & Old Town Auburn Walking Tours

    Downtown Walking Tour & Old Town Auburn Walking Tours

    Auburn, CA

    Try one of our 15 restaurants, or 40 quaint shops and services. Don’t miss the Old Town Gallery featuring the works of 60 local artists, all in one old historical building. Four museums can be found within a few blocks, where history buffs will find lots of rich Gold Country history.

    1103 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603
  • Claude Chana Gold Panner Monument

    Claude Chana Gold Panner Monument

    Auburn, CA

    A 45-ton concrete statue of a Gold Rush era miner stands at the entrance to Old Town Auburn, a small collection of shops, restaurants, and antique stores. The statue is a representation of Claude Chana (1811-1882), the prospector who discovered gold here in the foothills east of Sacramento on May 16, 1848.

    Lincoln Way & Park Street, Auburn, CA 95603