The Story Behind the Kit Carson Tree Blaze Marker

By: Phil Pasquini

The book tells the fascinating story of the Kit Carson marker at Carson Pass that commemorates the Fr?mont Expedition's crossing of the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains into California during the winter of 1844. Carson's role in that venture and the controversy surrounding who may have carved the tree blaze in which his name and date appeared are also examined. The evolution from the primitive Native American pathway used by Fr?mont to the modern highway that now exists on this portion of their route is reviewed along with the history of the Mormon Battalion that developed the first wagon trail across the region in 1848. The Mormon-Carson wagon road, as it became known, was soon used as the main entry into California by those seeking their fortunes during the Gold Rush from 1849 to 1852. A complete history tracing the tree blaze's travels from Carson Pass after its removal in 1888 when the tree was cut down follows a fascinating path across California to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and back to San Francisco where it survived the 1906 Great Earthquake. In 1921, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a bronze and granite marker in recognition of the historical crossing of the Sierra by Carson and Fr?mont. The marker is not without controversy, however, as several mistakes had to be corrected in the text. Finally, a close comparison is made of the original blaze and its bronze replica with the discussion centering on their obvious differences and the plaque's present condition calling for restoration.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967001633
• ISBN13: 9780967001630
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Flypaper Press
• Length: 46 Pages
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 11.0"