The legendary figure of Snowshoe Thompson is not very well known outside the Carson Valley area. But if you ever visit the little mountain village of Genoa, you’ll surely find out about him. After all, John (Showshoe) Thompson is Genoa’s greatest hero!
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Who Was Snowshoe Thompson?
Born Jon Torsteinson Rue in the Telemark district of Norway on April 30, 1827. After his father died, Jon he came to America with his family from Norway, settling on a farm in Illinois.
In 1851 when the gold fever struck, the 24 years old Jon ran off to the Sierra Nevada mountains and began working as a miner. Later he moved to Placerville, about 30 miles east of Sacramento and took up farming. At about the same time he Americanized his name to John Thompson, after his stepfather’s family name.
With the Gold Rush, the demand for communication between California and the rest of the country increased considerably. At the time, the only passage to California was over the Sierra Nevada mountains. But the brutal blizzards and deep snow made it impossible to cross the mountains in winter. Remember, this was almost 20 years before the nation’s first transcontinental railroad.
People were cut off from any communication and supplies, so the postal service began looking for a mail carrier who could travel between Placerville and Genoa during the winter months. Many people attempted to carry the mail over the mountains during winter, but almost all of them failed.
A unique way to carry mail
In 1855, Jon (Snowshoe) Thompson saw an ad in the Sacramento Union: ‘People Lost to the World: Uncle Sam Needs Carrier‘ and thought about applying for the job. He remembered that when he was a kid in Norway, his father made him a pair of “snowshoes” to go to school during the heavy winter months.
But what Thompson was calling “snowshoes” were not even close to the wood-frame paddle shaped style of snowshoes common in the West. Thompson’s ‘snowshoes’ were two hand carved long wooden boards that, when attached to your feet, would help you side on the snow. They were the precursors of modern skis.
The technique of sliding down these wooden boards was something new to the West. Only a few people from Scandinavia knew about it. No one in the area had seen skis before when Thompson carved himself two ten-foot (over 3-meter) boards upturned in the front and began hauling the mail over the Sierra Nevada mountains. He was using a single sturdy pole, generally held in both hands at once or used for breaking.
Snowshoe Thompson becomes a faithful mail carrier
Thompson delivered mail between Placerville, California and Genoa, Nevada, until his death in 1876. Twice a month for 20 years, the Norwegian immigrant carried an 80-100 pounds rucksack on his back and crossed the mountains. Sometimes his bag was loaded with medicine, clothes, even pots and pans, or whatever people needed besides the letters.
He managed to do the 90-miles trip over the Sierra Nevada mountains in the middle of winter – alone – in only 3 days. After delivering the mail, he would turn around and rush back home in only two days.
Snowshoe Thompson carried no gun, no blanket, no camping gear, and no compass. But he always carried matches –to start a fire– and his Bible. He snacked on dried sausages, jerked beef, crackers, and biscuits. He was wearing only a simple jacket and a wide hat. And, to prevent snow blindness, he used to blacken his cheekbones with charcoal. Thompson’s ability on skis was legendary, so much so that the local newspapers began writing about him.
An Unpaid Job
Despite his great service to the community, Snowshoe Thompson was never paid for his job. When he first offered to deliver mail, he didn’t sign a contract with the U.S. Posts service. He kept thinking that if he fulfills his duty and delivers mail, he will eventually get compensation.
For years and years the local authorities promised to pay him, but they never did. In his 20 years of work Thompson never received a dollar from the U.S. Government. He tried to use his political connections and even made a trip to Washington D.C. himself, but nothing came out of it. Later on he attempted to charge $1/letter delivered, but with not much success. Many people refused to pay him, but expected their mail to be delivered anyway.
Snowshoe Thompson’s posthumous Recognition
‘Snowshoe’ Thompson was only 49 when he died of complications derived from an appendicitis. He was buried in Genoa’s graveyard. His tomb is marked by a simple white stone that reads “Gone but not forgotten.” The town still remembers his heroic efforts.
There is a small museum bearing his name and a statue that stands on the grounds of the Mormon Station State Park in Genoa, Nevada.
The statue represents Thompson on his skis, with his arms stretched forward, holding the stick he always carried with him. He does not look like a big man, but surely had a very big heart!
When I go skiing in Lake Tahoe, I often think of Snowshoe Thompson, Who would have thought that a young Norwegian boy would become a memorable name in the history of the US Postal Service?
Genoa, Nevada – the Town of Mormon Pioneers
Keith Owsley
I just watched an episode on Death Valley day’s episode 194
“Snowshoe Thompson”
That why I looked at information on him.
Very interesting story
It aired in 1954 Seems to say about the same thing about him with a Hollywood spin
Anda
Thanks for taking time to comment. I really appreciate when people give me input about what I write. It’s what keeps me going.
Malcolm Tibbetts
A true legend in the world of skiing. I’ve visited his gravesite and read his story. If you drive through Genoa stop in and see his skis.
Anda Galffy
I did stop! If you bothered to look, you would have seen a picture of them in my post.
Kurt
I “bothered” to look at your photo. Amazing to see those huge “snowshoe skis”. Thanks for the article.
Of interest… Malcolm is a bit of a modern day legend in his own right. Longtime Mountain Manager of Heavenly Ski area, few have spent more time up there developing what is now one of the largest ski complexes in America. If anyone can appreciate Snowshoe Thompson’s incredible legacy, it’s Malcolm. Today he is one of the leading & most innovative “wood turning” artists in the world.
Thanks for your article. Correct, most locals here are very familiar with Thompson’s epic history. Great to see that history presented to a wider national & international audience. ??
Mark R
Look it up… John Calhoun Johnson was the first mail carrier, Thompson was the first “hired”carrier, and he skied on the route Johnson laid-out for him. Johnson did it for years til he got smart and stopped doing it for free
Anda Galffy
John Calhoun Johnson was a practicing lawyer in California. Wikipedia states that “His first employment was indeed carrying the mail on snowshoes.” However, he did it from Placerville to Nevada City,” a different route than Thompson’s. Also, Johnson was a “hired” mailman, while “Snowshoe” Thompson was never hired or even paid for his services. He delivered mail between Placerville, California and Genoa, Nevada, a much more difficult route because he had to cross the mountains.So no, Johnson was not Thompson predecessor, they were contemporaries and both died in the same year, 1876.
Samantha Sparrow
Such an incredible story of kindness and goodness – I work in the volunteering sector and I am always inspired by heroic acts of volunteering! It’s amazing that he has been recognised for the efforts and sacrifices he made for the people. What a real legend!
Archana Singh
What a lovely story. I have heard and seen so many people talk fondly about Lake Tahoe but this is for the first time I am reading a story about a 10-year-old Norwegian boy who went on becoming such a big name in America. Thanks for sharing this.
Lauren
What a fascinating story! I had no idea that Snowshoe Thompson even existed. What a hero – doing this for no pay even. Shame that he passed away so young!
Sandy N Vyjay
The story of Snowshoe Thomson is so amazing and fascinating. The indomitable spirit of the man continues to inspire even today. What a daring personality who ventured to do what hardly anyone would have dared to do. I think every moment of skiing delight is what we owe to this great man. Hats off to him.
Ami Bhat
This was an awesome read today. Inspiring in a lot of ways and yet sad. Pity that he was honored only post humous. I wish people. And the authorities had taken better notice of him when he was alive.
Megan Jerrard
First time I’ve heard of Snowshoe Thompson, though thanks for the introduction – what an incredible role he played in Nevada’s history! I really love hearing about fascinating people like this, and their incredible stories. I can’t believe he was never paid!! That’s ludicrous, I can’t believe the government got away with it, especially when he had such an arduous journey on every run. Glad to know that he’s at the very least memorialized for his service to the community. Thanks for sharing his story Anda 🙂
Nisha
What an amazing story. It is truly inspiring to learn that one man ensured people got their mails in difficult terrain for 20 years. It is undoubtedly bad on the part of government (cheating?) not to pay him although using his services for 20 years.
Medha
He worked 20 years without receiving any compensation for it? Wow. Can you imagine that in today’s date? I have never heard of snowshoe thompson but this was an interesting and inspiration story!
Anu
What a touching and inspiring story. I have been to Lake Tahoe but I was not aware of this legend. I do remember driving through thick forests from California but it was not wintering so I can not imagine how Showshoe Thompson managed to travel back and forth. I wonder what motivated him to do this service?
Danik
Wow, what a great stories. I do love stories like this and I cant believe he didnt get paid a penny! Glad the legend lives on. 🙂
Mags
What a crazy story! I’ve never heard this before. I can’t believe he never got paid. That’s a rough job.
Darlene
Love these kind of stories! It’s just sad that he was never compensated for his service though. But it is also great that he was never forgotten. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Melroy
So this is how Tahoe became a ski town. Love local stories like this. Oak Ridge, Tennessee has a great one about a guy predicting the future existence of the secret city.
Anda Galffy
I don’t think Tahoe becoming a ski town has anything to do with the story of ‘Snowshoe’ Thompson, Jennifer. He was just carrying mail on skies and he so happen to be the first skier in the area.
Danielle Des
How did he survive without getting payment for his work — for 20 years? Wow! Sounds like this was a hobby maybe?
Anda Galffy
Yeas it is amazing that he continued to carry mail without being paid. But don’t forget that he volunteered to do the job because he was a good person and he was the only one who could cross the mountains in winter on his skis. It’s not that the Government refused to pay him, but there were no money available. In those time the Feds weren’t printing money left and right like they do today.
Mar
How cool is that – so he brought skies to the US? A smart invention for the time and how cool he’s still remembered
anna
What an incredible story!!! Working for nothing! I love the saying on his tombstone. Very memorable.
Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie
Loved this story! I can’t believe he didn’t get paid for his work! The U.S. government should give some back pay to his ancestors as a gesture to honor him. How fantastic it must have been to ski all that way without anyone else around. Maybe that was payment enough for good ole Mr. Thompson!
RaW | Ramble and Wander
What an amazing guy! I don’t quite understand though why he didn’t get paid – if he had applied and really got the job – and why US Mail kept using him without paying any salary and why he continued doing it for some 20 years for nothing. Did the record say anything about the reason for no pay? Very intriguing indeed!
Anda Galffy
Snowshoe Thompson started as a volunteer, he wasn’t hired by the U.S. Postal Service. In those days the US Government didn’t have enough money to cover for the mail service in all remote areas of the country. It’s not that they didn’t want to pay him. He offered to do this service and carry the mail because otherwise that area would have been completely cut out from any communication. He later started seeking compensation, but there weren’t any funds available.
Jen
What a great story. As someone who done her share of skiing, I can’t imagine going very far at all on those wooden sticks with a 90 pound pack on my back. And for 20 years without pay. Amazing story!
Carly
I can’t imagine making that trek, carrying that weight, everyday for twenty years. Amazing story.
Linda Bibb
That’s quite a story, Anda. I’m amazed by the man’s resilience and determination, traveling for 10 days out of every month. Is there any record of how he managed to support himself?
Anda Galffy
He was farming in summer and cutting commercial firewood in the winter.
annette charlton
This is an amazing story. What human endurance and dedication – a real hero I think. I had never heard of this man so thank you for sharing his great story – I love history.
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
What an amazing man! I love this story. So glad the town recognises his efforts and place in history. A shame it didn’t happen when he was alive but he but have got great pleasure from skiing and helping others out. Not sure how he survived at night though the wilderness.
Sarah Ebner
Really loved this story – but can’t believe he did it all without pay. Fascinating stuff Anda, thank you.
Anda Galffy
That’s what the historical records say, Sarah.
Sand In My Suitcase
OMG – imagine working for nothing! But perhaps it was a labor of love for Jon. Certainly he could be proud of helping the community (and think of the exercise too!). Great story…
Anda Galffy
I was wondering myself how could he do this without a pay. Thank you for your comment, Janice.
Laz
Lake Tahoe is today a skiers paradise. Amazing to find out from your story how it all began! Snowshoe Thompson is a real Legend of the west, but nearly forgotten today. It is great to see there are still people committed to revive his legacy!