DONNER LAKE AND ITS TRAGIC HISTORY Closely allied to Lake Tahoe by its near proximity, its situation on the Emigrant Gap automobile road from Sacramento to Tahoe, and that it is seen from Mt.

Rose, Mt.

Watson, and many Tahoe peaks, is Dormer Lake,--lake of tragic memories in the early day pioneer history of this region.
It was in 1846 that James T.Reed, of Springfield, Ill., determined to move to California.

This land of promise was then a Mexican province, but Reed carefully and thoroughly had considered the question and had decided that, for his family's good, it was well to emigrate.

He induced two other Illinois families to accompany him, those of George and Jacob Donner.