Western States Trail Museum

05/20/2026

We were overwhelmed with gratitude for generous supporters on Big Day of Giving. Those funds will support our exhibits including our mural project and audio visual room - which you can see is taking shape!

We truly appreciate each of our local friends and contractors helping us bring our vision to life. Bill Rose installed our beautiful salvaged front door and framed in our unusually shaped HVAC duct, Tom Tadlock of Tadlock Electric provided comprehensive electrical upgrades and a team of folks are preparing our walls for drywall and an audio installation. We will post pictures here of our journey to a finished space!

05/07/2026

Who is this and where are he and his horse headed? Find out when we open the doors to the Western States Trail Museum! Please consider donating on Big Day of Giving today - even if it's just $10! - to help us keep the stories alive and generations to meet the trail. We can't wait to see you!

https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/donate/Western-States-Trail-Museum

05/06/2026

Help us protect and preserve the Western States Trail through Big Day of Giving! Every dollar you give will create a community space for sharing the stories, memorabilia, legacy and future of this historic trans-Sierra trail that is the home of the Tevis Cup 100 Mile One Day Ride - Western States Trail Foundation and the Western States Endurance Run.

Your donations will be used for permanent and rotating exhibits, speaker and film series, free interpretive mobile phone educational self guided tours of the trail, docent led hikes and horseback rides, research library and more at our central Auburn location at 1103 High Street. Additionally, we are in the last stages of working to secure National Recreational Trail Status for the entire length of the trail from Sacramento, CA to Carson City, NV - and you can join our efforts!

Your Big Day of Giving Donations are open until midnight on Thursday, May 7th - see link below. Thank you for supporting us and helping new generations follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before them.

https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/donate/Western-States-Trail-Museum

Photo Credit: Keith Sutter

02/07/2026

In the subject of Olympics. ♥️

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
In 1960, the eyes of the world turned to Placer County as the United States hosted the Winter Olympic Games at Olympic Valley in Lake Tahoe. Most events were held at what is now Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. At the time it was a quiet mountain destination about to make history.

Sheriff William Scott oversaw security for the Games, helping ensure the safety of athletes, spectators, and dignitaries from around the globe. Pictured here in January 1960, prior to the opening ceremonies, Captain Truett Clifton, Provost Marshal of the Military Support Detachment, meets with Sheriff Scott to discuss law enforcement operations for the upcoming Games, which ran from February 18-28, 1960. The photo also includes the official logo of the 1960 Olympics.

Placer County’s selection as host came as a surprise, beating out internationally known locations including Innsbruck, Austria; St. Moritz, Switzerland; and Chamonix, France. At the time, the resort featured just one chair lift, two tow ropes, and a 50-room lodge. Significant public investment transformed the area to meet Olympic standards.

Those Games went on to make history as the first Winter Olympics broadcast live on American television and the first to feature a centralized Athletes’ Village.

As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games begin in Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, we wish all the athletes a safe and successful competition (especially those who are representing Placer County!). 🎿

This is another piece of our Golden Legacy as we continue to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of your Placer County Sheriff’s Office!

02/05/2026

The Gold Rush town of Deadwood rose quickly on a narrow ridge above the American River Canyon. It was founded in 1852 as the area around it was explored and mined by intrepid pioneers of the day. While its early boom faded, the town did not disappear. Mining and settlement continued, and by the early 20th century Deadwood remained active enough to support the Deadwood Hotel. This 1910 photo shows a practical, working building that served miners, travelers, and locals navigating remote mountain routes. Today few remains of Deadwood are evident along the Western States Trail. While the hotel is gone, its image is our reminder of a community that once persisted long after the rush moved on.

01/21/2026

Our board loves to hike on and off the trail! In fact one of the museum adjunct programs we are planning will be all about meeting the Western States Trail, exploring its history, flora and fauna. We can't wait!
Interested in sharing your thoughts? Please reach out, we would love to hear from you!
[email protected]

01/07/2026

A New Year message from president Hal Hall:
We’re making good progress on the Western States Trail Museum in Auburn’s historic Central Square (1103 High Street suite 300). Approved tenant improvements are underway, with architectural plans, milestones, and cost estimates in place for exhibit space, a multi-media theater, and visitor amenities.

Our active board meets monthly and is advancing design, fundraising, marketing, and operational planning. A capital plan is being developed to support construction and future operations through memberships, sponsorships, grants, and donations.

An annual report is coming soon, including plans for a potential spring/summer 2026 opening. We invite the community to be part of this effort, through volunteering, sharing ideas, providing in-kind support, becoming a member, or making a donation. Visit our website to learn about events and opportunities, or reach out to us here or at [email protected]

We are looking forward to sharing our museum with you!

12/24/2025

From our team to yours, wishing you all the best in 2026!
(Missing Jennifer and Preston)

12/21/2025

"Feeding the Teams. Scene on the Placerville Route." This 1860s photo captures freight teams on route from Sacramento to Nevada's Comstock Lode.

12/16/2025

Some fun history for your day.

Freight teams negotiating deep spring snow pack in the Tahoe region of California 1866.