A Forgotten Highway: The Henness Pass Road, Part 2

The demand for road improvements was constant. Construction on the primitive road up Pliocene Ridge past Plum Valley to where it joined the original Henness Pass Road about three miles west of Cornish Ranch and on the road continuing over Henness Pass was performed in 1860.

In October 1859 the Truckee Turnpike Company was formed with a capital stock of $30,000 to construct a “substantial turnpike road” from Grizzly Fort in Sierra County to Truckee Meadows.

A June 16, 1860, article in the Sierra Democrat tells of work on this road.

“The turnpike road from San Juan by Forest City and the Henness Pass to Virginia City is progressing rapidly. A large number of hands are at work near Sparks Ranch, and I am told they will have the road in order in about two months. When they commence running this way, look out for accounts of quick trips. Who knows but the Pony Express may take this route. The Pony likes good roads.”

As history recounts, however, the “Pony” did not choose this route, but traversed the Sierra Crest over what is today’s Highway 50.

In December 1861 the Henness Pass Turnpike Company was founded by people from Nevada City and became responsible for improvement of the western section of the road. The Truckee Turnpike Company improved the section east of the summit by reconstructing grades and turns. On the first runs after the improvements were completed, the following appeared in the December 1862 issues of the Sierra Democrat:

"Johnny Lincoln informs us that the Pioneer Stage on the daily line from Virginia City to Marysville by the Henness Pass and Truckee turnpike road made the first trip Tuesday and Wednesday in 25 hours and 38 minutes. That was a famous time for the trip, neither the drivers nor the teams knowing the road and a considerable way being driven in the dark. And furthermore, drivers and passengers were frequently stopped by such obstructions as jubilant citizens with kegs of lager, brandy and like wares."

“San Juan, so Miles says, go on a unanimous drunk, and came near missing the stage as it passed through the town.”

In the early 1860s one of several saddle trains to connect with the Henness Pass route was that of J.E. Watkins who operated a daily horse train from Fred’s Ranch on the Henness Pass Road to Orleans Flat which connected there with the stage line from Nevada City to the Washoe country in the Territory of Nevada.

Toll charges on this Truckee Turnpike in the early 1860s were $2.50 for a wagon and team and 50¢ for additional span, 75¢ for two horses and a buggy, 50¢ for horse and buggy, and 25¢ for horse and rider.

A letter dated September 11, 1861, to the editor of the Sierra Democrat reports:

“This is the first point where the dust-covered traveler enters Sierra County on his way from Washoe by the Henness Pass. Here you can find refreshments dealt by a former townsman of yours, Dr. Webber. We commence descending through a beautiful valley on a splendidly graded road. Three miles brings us to Fenn’s Ranch, another host whom travelers love to patronize.”

“We continue on our winding way, and five miles brings us in front of Richard Rofford’s place (formerly known as Jackson’s Ranch). It is about completing one of the finest three-story buildings that you can find outside of the towns. Here the road branches, one fork known as the Nevada Turnpike, and the other as the San Juan Road. The latter is the one most traveled by heavily laden teams.”

“Four miles brings us in front of Pine Grove House, where we refresh the inner man. One mile more brings us to the town of Milton, where the gentlemanly host is always ready to assist you to anything in his line. At this point we commence ascending one of the heaviest grades in the road - which is only sixteen inches to the rod - on a very wide and well-graded road. One mile brings us banging upon a stream sawmill rattling out the lumber at a great rate.”

“Six miles over a high mountain (or on the side) over a delightful grade, brings us to another stopping place kept by Mr. Harris, formerly of Forest City. This is known as Middle Waters Station. From this the road runs along a dividing ridge dividing the waters of the South Fork of the Yuba on the right, and thence flowing over the Middle on the left. Seven miles over a dusty road brings us to Cornish’s Ranch. Cornish is completing a large and commodious home for the accommodation of the public.”

“Three miles brings us to Fred’s Ranch, where you can see towns on all sides. Eight miles more, and we are at the Plum Valley House where you can find one of the best tables in the state for a hungry man, with friend Kloeker to look at your every want. Two miles more and we bring up at Grizzly Fort and are let out of Sierra County - after a trip of thirty miles over a road which is well-graded, averaging eleven inches to the road. In ten miles I counted twenty-six mule teams loaded for Washoe.”

Stay tuned for the conclusion of Baker's story about the Henness Pass highway in next week's edition.