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This item SOLD at 2018 Jun 25 @ 10:26UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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The Kingsbury Grade Papers
The Carson Valley to Placerville Road, 1860-1863
F. Holabird
This collection of documents represents a new discovery in Nevada/California History. The papers were found in an archive of San Francisco businessman George W. Swan, a box maker and dealer. But before Swan went to San Francisco, he was involved as a principal in several toll roads, then delving into various mining entities before the final move to San Francisco and his box business.
This group of papers covers both ends of the toll road – the Carson Valley end with D.D. Kingsbury, and the Placerville end with Geo. W. Swan.
Other papers of Swan are found in additional lots in this catalog. They do not pertain to any portion of the toll road and mostly deal with Swan's involvement in Placerville railroads or mining.
Literature Review
Little was written about the Carson Valley-Placerville Toll Road, even though it was well known at the time as the most important route through the Sierra. Davis (1912) claims the route was first used by Fremont. It was used as the Pony Express route. Friday’s Station at South Lake Tahoe was along the route.
Carson Valley by Dangberg (1973) repeats what was printed in The Tennessee Letters of Richard N. Allen more fully published by David Thompson, editor, 1983, which amounts to two letters published in California newspapers. Angel (1881) is also silent on the subject except a minor mention. Angel spent more time discussing the construction of competing roads started after 1862. Lord (1883) discusses the toll roads over the Sierra in fair detail as a business, but does not mention the first road of Kingsbury-McDonald, instead also focusing on the post-1862 roads. Mack (1935) makes no mention whatsoever, an apparent major omission. DeGroot mentions the road only in general terms, but does not mention the route by name, nor specifics (1876). The same held true for DeQuille (1876).
Summary
D.D. Kingsbury by published accounts appears to have begun a toll road from Carson Valley to Tahoe about 1859, according to Carlson. The contracts in this archive, however, indicate the work did not begin until early 1860 (the possibility exists that these contracts were for “upgrades” or improvements). D.D. Kingsbury appears to have died about April, 1863, and may have died in the same avalanche that killed his brother A.B. Kingsbury (more research needed). While some historical writers have maintained the road was built by the two brothers with McDonald, not a single contract attests to this notion.
Kingsbury’s land contracts called for the outright purchase of land for the toll road, which started near Van Sickle’s house in Carson Valley. The toll road then ran up toward Lake Valley (Tahoe).
At the same time, it appears Geo. W. Swan was building the other end of the Carson to Placerville toll road starting near Placerville. He also purchased land just wide enough for a road, promising to erect a board fence on both sides, five boards high. When D.D. Kingsbury died, Swan became the attorney, and completed the necessary property deals to complete the road.
The lower portion of Swan’s toll road had several toll stations near Placerville. Swan's Upper Toll House was located in Strawberry Valley, as you climb the summit towards Tahoe.
The written historical record shows that competing lines were built around 1863, which may have caused the failure of the Carson Valley-Placerville toll road. In actuality, however, it may be no more than the death of the principal (DD Kingsbury), which complicated and slowed down the overall construction process, allowing competitors to catch up.
This group consists of about 16 documents, most manuscript.
1. Folsom, June 14, 1860, copy.DD Kingsbury receives of Osgood Money for a toll rd construction. Probate Court. “Kingsbury & McDonald Toll Rd running from Carson Valley near Van Sickle’s house, over the first summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains to Lake Valley, and thence through said valley and to the top of the second summit to meet with the toll rd of Geo w swan…” 4.22.63
2. Jas a Cory regarding an indenture March 23, 1860, where Cory sold Kingsbury land for a toll rd. part of the payment was to be in stock of the Placerville-Carson Valley toll rd. 12.31.1863.
3. Jas A. Cory vs Executors of DD Kingsbury, May 16, 1864. Deposition of Robert H Moore. Moore worked for DD Kingsbury “began May, 1860 on a wagon road over the Sierras”. Kingsbury bought hay of Cory and pointed out the Cory Ranch. “Moore, Cary is a damned fool. I can sell the hay for $100 a ton”. Stated that DD Kingsbury never mentioned AB Kingsbury in any manner, particularly with respect to business.
4. Articles of Agreement Feb. 16, 1863 at Placerville Zachariah Prichart and G. W. Swan for the construction of a road through a portion of a ranch owned by Prichart. Swan buying land for the road wide enough for a road. Swan will construct a board fence along the road, at last five boards high.
5. Articles of Agreement, Feb. 16, 1863 between John Roupley (Placerville) and G.W. Swan (Placerville). Swan contemplates construction of a road through a portion of the ranch. Portion of land wide enough for a road. Construct a board fence along the road five boards high.
6. Indenture between Wm Ewing and JWD Phillips. 8.14.1863. For land starting at a point on the Placerville-Virginia City road about thirty rods below the North America House and running along and near the old emigrant road, thence down what is known as the Hawley Grade, thence through grass Lake Valley and to the tavern stand of James Green in Hope Valley.
7. Statement of receipts for G.W. Swan, Jan. 6, 1864 to 4.1.64. Lists expenses that include Kingsbury estate. Includes Toll Rd Receipts, naming Smiths Flat (about 3 miles east of downtown Placerville). Mentions three toll rds, Smiths Flat, Upper Rd, Central Turnpike
8. Placerville, Apr. 3 1864, receipt for $298 for Geo Swan from Wm H Swan for Swan’s Upper Road tolls (Strawberry).
9. Placerville, April 2nd, 1864 receipt for tolls collected on Smith Flat Toll Road for GW Swan.
10. Placerville, April 9th (1864?) receipt for $250 in silver coin collected for tolls on Swans Toll Road.
11. List of Monthly receipts for Swan’s Upper Toll House, 12.31.1864. GW Swan and WH Swan proprietors. (Strawberry)
12. Three Internal Revenue documents for GW Swan, two 1866 for tolls, and one 1864 for duties on tolls for the Smiths Flat Turnpike Co.
13. 1862 accounting sheet for GW Swan, River Road Company. This company likely managed the toll roads from Placerville to Swans Upper Toll House.
14. Xerox copy of an 1864 letter from Osgood in Lake Valley (Tahoe) to Hamilton, re: general news about Swan and hay memo found in papers from deceased AB Kingsbury (who died in an avalanche about April 1863).
Date: Location: Carson Valley / Lake Tahoe, Nevada-California HWAC# 67009
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview will be at our Auction Location,
3555 Airway Drive Suite 309
Reno, NV 89511
on Thursday, June 21st, from 9:00 am to 5:00pm or by appointment.
Please call 775-851-1859
Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
8.265% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
Additional Fees:
| Fee | Amount | Applicable Locations | Applied To |
| Handling |
5.00
|
Not Applicable
|
This fee applies to the total of the invoice
|
Shipping Details:
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require special handling for which individual costs will be calculated and applied to the shipping charge on the invoice. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipment of large or special items. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: Federal Express or the US Postal Service. All items shipped Federal Express or USPS will be insured for the full value determined at auction by HWAC, which is included in our buyer’s premium. Pick up is available from our Reno office the next business day after the auction.
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This is a Live Auction conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC (HWAC).
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