Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond

Travel & Stories by NVTami

  • Home
  • Ghost Towns
    • Ghost Towns & Historical Sites of Nevada, California, & Beyond
    • Top 10 Ghost Towns of Nevada: Northwest
    • Top 10 Best Places to visit off “C” Street, Virginia City
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter

Markleeville Cave, California: Winter Shelter, Ceremonial Site and Speakeasy

November 12, 2020 2 Comments

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town Carr & Company Toll Road

Markleeville Cave lies off Highway 89 between Markleeville and Silver Mountain City. I have driven past for years and never noticed the cave just off the road.

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town  Carr & Company Toll Road

I was on the way home from the ghost towns of Monitor when I noticed an old road leading into the woods. Road construction was difficult and costly and historic roads always had a purpose. Being me, I had to investigate. Edel and I walked up a short incline and were surprised to find a large open cave. The roof was covered in soot from fires and a government sign marked the cave as a historical site.

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town Carr & Company Toll Road

Norwegian miners stuck a rich silver ore vein on Silver Creek in 1861. The town of Konigsberg, later known as Silver Mountain City, was established and grew rapidly. A road was needed to connect Silver Mountain City to Markleeville. Carr & Company headed by William Johnson was tasked with building a toll road in 1864.

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town Carr & Company Toll Road
Carr & Company Toll Road

The new toll road passed near a cave that was used by the Washoe Tribe as winter shelter and a ceremonial site. After Tribal Chief “Captain Jim” refused access, Johnson negotiated compensation which ended up costing $50, a plug of tobacco and unintentionally, Johnson’s $25 overcoat.

“Captain Jim”

(Photo Credit: Nevada State Museum)

Prohibition lasted between 1920 and 1933. Local lore says Markleeville Cave was used as a speakeasy during this time.

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town Carr & Company Toll Road

Karen Dustman and Clarirage Press has a wonderful article on history of the Markleeville Cave.

Markleeville California Apline County Cave Ghost town Carr & Company Toll Road NVTami
For size comparison, I’m 5’8″

Markleeville Cave is at the intersection of the East Fork Carson River, historic 1864 Johnson Toll Road and Hangman’s Bridge, site of 1874 vigilante justice.

Visited 11-11-2020, 10-26-2020


References

  • Ebbetts Pass Adventures: Historic Sites Along Ebbetts Pass
  • Nevada State Museum
  • Clairitage Press: Markleeville Cave
Follow me on social media:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Gab

Filed Under: Ghost Towns

Previous
Next

Comments

  1. Dorothy Campbell says

    May 9, 2024 at 7:27 pm

    Oh I love Markleeville. Been there several times swam in the river floated down it. I just love Sierra Valley. It’s so beautiful.

    Reply
    • Tami says

      May 10, 2024 at 7:48 am

      That would be fun!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter Sign Up

Never miss a ghost town, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

SEARCH

Hi, I’m Tami. I have been exploring Nevada and Eastern Sierra ghost towns and historical sites for 25 years. My goal is to photograph and document the rich history of the area. If you love seeing and learning about the more unusual ghost towns and locations, you have come to the right place! Follow along as my Jeep, Honey Badger, and I work towards our objective of visiting every ghost town in the region!

Follow me on social media:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Gab

Categories

  • Ghost Towns
  • Travel Update
  • Sutro Tunnel & Ghost Town
  • Top 10 Ghost Towns by Region
  • Ranch Life & Wildlife

Recent Posts

  • Road to Esmeralda: Genoa to Aurora & Bodie
  • Exploring High Rock Canyon
  • Nine Mile Ranch
  • Five Mile House: On the road to Bodie and Aurora
  • Saying Goodbye to Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch

Copyright © 2025 · Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond · Hello You Designs