Humboldt House

"... And we wonder why it's been a little rough for our State Marker System. Can this placement be any more ridiculous?" -- February 2008

[23]       

Along I-80 Frontage Rd (Exit 138), 8.1 miles south of Imlay

Pershing
  40.598887, -118.251820

Original Date Visited: 2/24/08
Signed: Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80

Notes: This one has at least one good thing going for it: visible signage from the interstate. That's its saving grace because Marker 23 has one of the most ridiculous placements anywhere. If you're unfortunate enough to miss the exit to "Humboldt House," you'll have to wait another 7-8 miles to exit the freeway again. That's the worst case scenario. Read up, friends.


Here is the view you get if you happen to miss the exit. If this happens, you'll need to drive a total of 14 miles round trip to grab it again.

- From northbound Interstate 80, use Exit 138 for "Humboldt." From here make your way east onto the Frontage Road to an NDOT maintenance yard on your left. Park then walk toward the interstate fence to find this hidden marker directly behind the yard. The SHPO decided on this ridiculous location so the marker would face the original Humboldt House (seen in the background.) ... but wouldn't it have made more sense to place it on the other side of the freeway directly in front or nearer the original Humboldt House?

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Humboldt House or Humboldt Station was originally the point of departure for Humboldt City, Prince Royal, and the mines in that vicinity. In September 1866, it became a stage stop for the historic William (Hill) Beachey Railroad Stage Lines.

As the Central Pacific Railhead advanced from eastern California, it reached Humboldt House in September 1868. From 1869 to 1900, Humboldt House was well known as one of the best eating houses on the Central Pacific Railroad. It was truly an oasis in the great Nevada desert, with good water, fruit, and vegetables. The large grove of trees to the west marks the site of this famous hotel.

Between 1841 and 1857, 165,000 Americans traveled the California emigrant trail past here. In 1850, on the dreaded Forty Mile Desert southwest of present day Lovelock, over 9,700 dead animals and 3,000 abandoned vehicles were counted.

Exploring Humboldt City

Interstate 80 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN MY I-80 ROAD TRIP 		   Interstate 95 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP 		   

Next Marker

OLINGHOUSE

Related Links & Markers:

 - 22 - The Humboldt River   - 26 - Forty Mile Desert 

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