History 1925 - 1950

The Cortopassis and the Emigrant Gap Hotel Once More

Joseph and Peter Cortopassi purchased the Emigrant Gap Hotel in the mid 20s.  They also owned the Cortopassi Commercial Laundry in Colfax from 1922. 

Here is an excerpt from the History of Placer and Nevada Counties (1924) that talks about the Cortopassi Brothers and their laundry:

CORTOPASSI BROTHERS.— The town of Colfax has reason to be 
proud of its up-to-date steam laundry, and also of the three sons of Italy 
whose enterprise has brought it up to what it is with the latest modern 
equipment. It was founded in September, 1922, by Peter Cortopassi, the 
eldest of the brothers. They are now occupying an Al structure 70 by 37 
feet, to house their modern machinery. They are carrying on a fast-growing 
business. The proprietors of this establishment were born in Lucca, Italy : 
Peter C, on June 30, 1896; Mario, on October 1, 1897, and Joseph, August 
5, 1899. Their parents, Louis S. C. and Charlotta (Gabrielli) Cortopassi, 
were born in Lucca, Italy. Louis S. C- Cortopassi is a veteran of the Italian 
National Cavalry force. He came to California about 1900, followed by his 
wife and three sons, in 1907, and they operated extensively in fruit produc- 
tion till 1920, when the three sons sold out. Peter entered the employ of 
the Grass Valley Laundry and operated a route out of Colfax two years ; 
thus he got acquainted with the business and the needs of the fast growing 
community. . Meanwhile the other two brothers worked out and saved their 
wages till they had enough altogether to establish a laundry business. 
proud of its up-to-date steam laundry, and also of the three sons of Italy 
whose enterprise has brought it up to what it is with the latest modern equipment. 
     It was founded in September, 1922, by Peter Cortopassi, the eldest of the brothers. 
     They are now occupying an Al structure 70 by 37 feet, to house their modern machinery.  
They are carrying on a fast-growing business. The proprietors of this establishment  
were born in Lucca, Italy : Peter C, on June 30, 1896; Mario, on October 1, 1897,  
and Joseph, August 5, 1899. Their parents, Louis S. C. and Charlotta (Gabrielli)  
Cortopassi, were born in Lucca, Italy. Louis S. C- Cortopassi is a veteran of the  
Italian National Cavalry force. He came to California about 1900, followed by his wife  
and three sons, in 1907, and they operated extensively in fruit production till 1920,  
when the three sons sold out. Peter entered the employ of the Grass Valley Laundry  
and operated a route out of Colfax two years ; thus he got acquainted with the business  
and the needs of the fast growing community. . Meanwhile the other two brothers  
worked out and saved their wages till they had enough altogether to establish a laundry  
business.

Peter C. served six months in the 38th U. S. Field Artillery, 13th Divi- 
sion of the U. S. Army, during 1918. He is a member of the Colfax Post, 
American Legion. 

Joseph Cortopassi what born in 1899 and died in 1976.  He only had a 5th grade education, but he did very well in his business ventures.  Peter Cortopassi was born in 1896 and died in 1981. 

Note:  Peter and Joe's father was an opera singer and came from Italy to New York.  He had competition from Ernico Caruso there, so he later moved to California. Eleanor remembers staying at his ranch house in Colfax and listening to opera on the phonograph. 

Several years ago, I was able to locate the 80 year old daughter of Peter (Barbara) and the 90 year old daughter of Joe (Eleanor) (both are gone now).  

Barbara had a bit of information to share - though she was very young when her dad (Peter) and uncle (Joe} owned the hotel. Her uncle Joe lived at the Emigrant Gap and ran the hotel, restaurant and bar. Her dad was part owner - but he never lived there. 

Here is an excerpt from the Colfax record about the Cortopassi brothers and their legacy:

There’s more to the Cortopassi story (see Colfax Record, April 12, 2012) in Colfax. About the time Louis A. Cortopassi was building his winery, he sponsored his cousin Louis S.C. Cortopassi to immigrate to this country. A native of Lucca, Italy, Louis S. had served in the Italian National Cavalry and had married another Lucca native. Louis S. and Charlotta (Gabrielli) Cortopassi had three sons – Peter C., Mario, and Joseph – all born in Lucca. Colfax native Barbara (Cortopassi) Noxon says, “After Louis S. arrived in California and established himself, his cousin and winemaker, Louis A., gave him the $350 needed to send for his wife and three young boys.” They all worked extensively in fruit production until 1920, when the three sons sold out. Peter took a job with the Grass Valley laundry and operated a route out of Colfax for two years. Meanwhile, the other two brothers worked and saved their wages until they had enough funds and Peter’s knowledge of the business to establish their own laundry operation in September 1922. It was located in the lane that is now called Schoolhouse Alley, behind what is now the Caltrans office and previously Bank of America. A 37-by-70-foot structure, it housed, for that time, the latest modern steam cleaning equipment. The business flourished in the growing Colfax community. In 1918, at age 22, Peter Cortopassi (1896-1981) served six months in an artillery unit of the U.S. Army during World War I. Joseph (1899 -1976) served as a private in the Army in World War II. Stella Cortopassi, inherited the family home and became a noted personality of Colfax in her own right. During the 1970s, her column in the Colfax Record told of the comings and goings of Illinoistown and Colfax folk. She would also relate history tales of the area, not only in her writing but at presentations to the Placer County Historical Society, among others. Beginning in 1965, and for at least 14 years – that have been currently documented – Stella Maria Cortopassi hosted an annual tour and large, sit-down dinner party. The “by invitation only” events involved guests being allowed to roam through the rooms of the house. For an admission charge of $15, they were led through the lower level where the original wine vats and equipment were stored as she related the history of the winery and home. Cortopassi would often enlist other family members to assist at the occasion. Barbara Noxon was put to task as kitchen help. Melba James said she was recruited to park cars one time, but declined. Both Colfax natives and Cortopassi descendants – who still live in town – have related that this was quite the “affair.” The Italian buffet, prepared by the hostess, was never complete, according to then-Colfax Record editor Pat Jones, without “a lively program of American and Italian songs, rendered by Miss Cortopassi and accompanied by Edith Pounds Turcotte on the accordion.” You can bet, the Colfax Cortopassi family reunions are huge events.

Joe (then 22) married Evelyn Watts (just 18) in July 1922, just prior to buying the hotel.  Evelyn was a member of the Watts family who owned the Strawberry Bar Gold Mine in Iowa Hill.  

While searching for information on the Emigrant Gap School and the Placer County School District, I found an interesting article about Evelyn.  When she was very young (1911) the then ex-president Teddy Roosevelt was traveling west on the train (I believe he was working for Harpers Weekly at the time).  He stopped in Colfax to give a brief speech (he had stopped there and given a speech before in May 1903 on his way to his famous trip to Yosemite).  Evelyn asked him to by some school funding tags.  He bought 5 tags for $5.00 and signed each of them, returning them to Evelyn.  Evelyn gave them back to the school and they were raffled off to help fund school supplies (amazingly for only $2.50 each).  I am sure Antiques Roadshow would love to see those tags today!

In 1926 there were 26 registered voters in Emigrant Gap.

By the early 1930s, the original hotel was being used as the bar and restaurant and the annex was being used for hotel rooms. 

Sometime during the early 30s, there was so much snow, they had to cut snow tunnels between the Hotel, Annex and Restaurant/Bar.  They also had to create a tunnel from the road to the Hotel for guests to come and stay.  Eleanor told me that the original roof was not metal, so they hired railroad workers in the winter to climb the buildings and use the roof ladder to shovel snow off.  She also remembers shoveling the roof with her dad at one time.  

Joe Cortopassi built a home next to the hotel annex that he planned to use as his private residence.  His daughter, Eleanor, spent many weekends, holidays and summers at the hotel - other times she attended boarding school in Sacramento.  Her mother would drive down to Sacramento to pick Eleanor up from school (for quite a long time, she didn't want her daughter riding on the railroad).  

Eleanor remembers skiing down the backyard in winter and the stream that ran down the side yard in summer.  In winter, many skiers and winter sports enthusiasts would take the train up to the hotel. On one trip from school, Eleanor brought a friend along on the train.  There were always students from the local colleges taking the train up to the snow, so Eleanor's friend decide to buy some sneezing powder to take along on the trip (to play a trick on the college students).  Unfortunately, she blew the sneezing powder onto an old lady who sneezed all the way up the mountain.  This was the last time Eleanor invited a friend up for the weekend.  

Eleanor's dad stored all the ski equipment in the back room of the old hotel.  Skiers would put on their equipment, then ski out the back door.  There was no tow rope, so they had to climb back up the hill to ski down again.  Her dad had plans to put in a pool for the summer, but that never happened. 

During summer, most of the guests were older people who liked to play cards and go fishing. Additionally, many employees from PG&E stayed at the hotel while working on the hydro-electric dam at Spaulding. Also Pacific Bell employees stayed at the hotel while they were working on the telephone lines. 

It was Eleanor's father who had all the stone walls added to the lodge (he had an Italian stone mason working for him) and it was Eleanor's mother who put in the gardens (they had a Chinese gardener).  Eleanor remembers lots of Shasta Daises, Nasturtiums, Zinnias and a big green lawn area.  

When Eleanor was little she was not allowed in the Bar room, so she spent much of her time in the Kitchen with Bob, the cook.  The cook in the old hotel was a big burly man who once worked for the Sawmill. Eleanor remembered him stirring cake mix in a big bowl, pouring it into a pan, then adding chocolate to make a wonderful marble cake. Mr. Cortopassi served Prime Rib each week (one of our Christmas favorites!) and people traveled from far and wide to come to the hotel for dinner. 

In 1933 the old Emigrant Gap School across the street from the hotel was about to fall down, so Joe donated some of his land to the community and he and Mr Hyatt built the new school next to his residence (soon to be the restaurant/bar).  He also provided for the children's playground. The school located at 42420 Emigrant Gap Rd opened October 23, 1933.  

It now belongs to a friend from Fulda Creek and is his private cabin. 

Here is the text from a newspaper Ad for the Emigrant Gap Hotel posted in 1934:

THE EMIGRANT GAP HOTEL YOUR NEW SKI HEADQUARTERS Completely remodelled throughout ' All rooms heated. Excellent meals served at all times A Rates $1.00 and up. European plan ' Located right on California all-year - main highway. Skis and toboggans for rent NOW UNDER MANAGEMENT OF CORTOPASSI BROS, of Colfax Phont or writs for reservations.

Near the hotel there was a car garage that had a great mechanic.  He later moved his business down to Grass Valley.  There were also some ramshackle buildings along the road. 

In 1934, Highway 20 was opened from Marysville to Emigrant Gap, Highway 40.  

Fire destroyed the old hotel/bar and restaurant in 1935.  Mr Cortopassi had just put a new furnace in the basement.  After attending a dance in Colfax with his wife, he had decided he would go up the hill to a cabin they had on Lake Fordyce for a few days.  Apparently, the hired help put too much coal and wood into the furnace and it started a large fire in the hotel.  A woman at the telegraph office was the first to see the flames.  She ran to the front of the hotel and yelled "Fire, Fire!" as Eleanor looked out the upstairs window.  Eleanor's cousin ran out of the bedroom, but Eleanor decided to save her most treasured items and put them on a blanket, then she ran to her mother's room and picked up odds and ends that she pulled down the stairs to the exit.  Her mother was shocked that she saved such an odd assortment of items.  Since there was (and is) not a fire department at Emigrant Gap, all that the family could do was watch the hotel burn down to the ground.  

After the fire, the Cortopassi's moved the restaurant/bar into their private residence and set up their living quarters in the lower floor of the Hotel Annex.  Joe and his wife used the first bedroom on the left and Eleanor had the adjacent room (that shares the Jack and Jill bath). Her mom required that there be built in large closets in these rooms (Eleanor's is a walk in).  In Eleanor's room they had two twin beds, a dresser and a wonderful vanity.  Today we have a twin, a full bed, a dresser in the same location and no vanity.

Here is an article from the Nevada State Journal about the fire. 

Feb 1, 1935 - EMIGRANT GAP Is Lost When Fire Destroys Old Sierra Inn The Emigrant Gap hotel was completely destroyed by fire late Friday.   The two story wooden structure burst into flames when sparks from a chimney ignited.   The roof age was estimated at more than part of it covered by insurance. Efforts to save the hotel and its belongings were futile but no one was injured Before volunteer fire fighters could combat the blaze yesterday the flames had eaten their way to the Emigrant Gap which adjoined the structure.  Damage to that building was estimated at Southern Pacific company whose lines were laid In a vain attempt to save the building The hotel had been snowbound since the last Storm and no one lived there except employees. The hotel was owned and rated by Joe and Pete Cortopassi and they had planned to open the roads to the place to winter sport enthusiasts soon. 

By 1936 (and before the opening of Sugar Bowl) there were bus excursions from Berkeley to the Emigrant Gap Hotel each weekend weather permitting) and snow trains. The hotel offered sleigh rides, toboggans, sledding and skiing (the walk up/ski down style).   

Berkeley Daily Gazette , January 7, 1937

SNOW EXCURSIONS ANNOUNCED Continental Travel Service cooperating with the H. C. Capwell Travel is inaugurating special excursions each week-end to the Parties will leave in heated busses from Berkeley at 2:15 p.m. every Saturday and will spend Saturday evening in the newly constructed Emigrant Gap Saturday evening has been planned with sleigh moonlight and All day Sunday is devoted to skiing and Leaving the snow country at 4:00 p.m. Sunday a tired and happy bunch will arrive back in Berkeley at 9:30 p. m. 

In the summer of 1936, the Emigrant Gap Hotel again made the news:

In 1936 four juveniles robbed a theater in Monterey. They abandoned their car at the Pioneer Garage which was located at the top of airport grade near Blue Canyon. Haines was notified by the sheriff.

He drove as far as he could in the snow and walked the rest of the way. He apprehended the boys as they played penny poker in the Emigrant Gap Hotel. Their suitcase contained $4,500 of the take. Haines became Lt. Haines and was in charge of the rescue operations when the “City of San Francisco” train became stranded near Yuba Gap during the storm of 1952. Base of rescue operations was the Colfax Depot.

Eleanor remembers that her dad said that the boys bags were quite heavy.  And her mother was one of the players in the poker game. 

Up the road at Laing Pioneer Camp there was a tow rope and a toboggan run.  The resort had a main lodge and little cabins for people to rent. The Marin Ski Club had leased it's first ski lodge at Laing's Pioneer Camp in Emigrant Gap.  To the right is a picture of the ski run and Laings below.  Laings Resort building is still standing across from the Sierra Woods (Rancho Sierra) Hotel (it is now a private residence).  The Laing boys were quite good skiers and used to ski from Laings over to the hotel to visit. 

As Eleanor grew she spent much of her time in the summer hiking around Emigrant Gap. Her dad and she would load up the fishing gear into the car and head up the dirt roads to Lake Fordyce. 

In the winter, she would ski down from Lookout Point (the site of the old Nyack Hotel) to Bear Valley.  From there her mother would pick her up with the car and drive her back home.  There was a road that went behind Nyack to Bear Valley at that time that many folks used to get from Highway 20 to Lookout Point.  Though the road is still there, it crosses private property.

Eleanor also remembers she and her dad driving to the back-country in winter to cut down a silver tip tree for the holidays. On one trip, she fell and cut her hand pretty badly on the ax.  He mom had to pinch the cut together and apply lots of iodine.  That was the end of excursions for trees to the back country.  With today's fire danger (due to climate change), the Tahoe National Forest has again been encouraging people to pay a $5 fee and cut their own trees from the forest (as long as they can get down the road during winter). 

During the 30s, The road that is called Texas Hill Road (that goes to the North Fork of the North Fork today) did not exist.  There was a dirt road behind the hotel that took folks down to Fulda Flat (where the off grid cabins are today) and beyond.  Traces of the road can still be found behind the school and in the lower area of our back yard. 

Eleanor met her husband Bill near Emigrant Gap (he was a fish and game warden).  Eleanor said that he lived in a tent and came to the Emigrant Gap hotel to use the pay showers.  Eleanor's husband stayed in the lower floor back bedroom for a time.  They were married after the war and moved to Independence, then later to Seal Beach (where she lives today). 



Eleanor's husband was an assistant engineer on a B17 bomber in Africa as a top turret gunner.  Per his son, Monte, he had a grade average of 95.3 which was the highest received by any of the 1200 students who graduated from his course.  He flew 50 missions over Italy and the Alps without crashing or being captured.  When he returned home to Beal Air Force Base, he was very ill.  He was quite wobbly when he gave Eleanor an engagement ring and feverishly commented about Eleanor's driving saying that she was driving way too fast.  As it turns out, he had contracted Malaria and spent a month in the hospital recovering.  

As a side, my husband Jim's dad was a bombardier in a flying fortress in WW2 and was part of the bloody 100th.  He flew many missions over Berlin before his plane was shot down.  He ended up in Stalag 17 (after the great escape) prisoner of war camp and spent the duration of the war there until he and his fellow prisoners were forced to march across Germany before they were freed.  Jim's dad had actually been selected to be a pilot - but he said his legs were too short to reach the pedals of the plane.  Bombardiers actually did take control of piloting the plane to allow them to target the bomb drop sites before releasing their bombs.  We think Jim's and Monte's dad would have had some great war stories to discuss had they ever met. 

Here is a copy of the letterhead for the Hotel from 1941 (courtesy of Eleanor's family). 

 


Between 1941 and 1942, when your could get two loaves of bread for 17 cents and 10 pounds of sugar for 54 cents, AT&T began running the first coast to coast twin underground telephone cables and dispatched crews to work on this project to Emigrant Gap.  The AT&T underground cable is still buried along side Emigrant Gap/Texas Hill road today.  Additionally, AT&T has a easement on own property to run telephone wires across the back hill  of the property.  We wish the wire and telephone poles could be relocated as they are an eyesore and they are right in the middle of our sled hill. 

1941 - Emigrant Gap loses it's Fire Train

Another change in 1941.  Southern Pacific added Fire Sprinklers to the Snowsheds from Emigrant Gap to Truckee.  Fires in the Snowsheds were generally a summer occurrence and were caused by smoke stacks, brake shoes and forest fires.  Fire trains were kept at Emigrant Gap and at Norden for the express purpose of extinguishing these fires.  But often entire sections of the sheds would burn before the trains could get to the fire.  Additionally, the Snowsheds at Crystal Lake and at Troy had 24 hour a day patrols to check for fires. 

The new sprinklers were turned on from 1/2 to 3/4 hour twice in a 24 hour period to keep the snowshed roof and supporting timbers damp at all times.  As a result of this change, the fire train at Emigrant Gap was discontinued.  The Norden train was kept to extinguish fires that were not put out by the sprinklers.  The workmen from Crystal Lake and Troy were reassigned to run the sprinkler system. 

The War

In WW2, Mr. Cortopassi was drafted into the service - but was too old to serve.  He closed the hotel for the duration of the war and had a caretaker live there to make sure that it was safe and sound until he reopened it.   

I recently found out that the U.S. Army (Military Police) also rented the hotel during the war.  That explains the 6 metal military cots we have stored in the basement. The 754th Division of the Military Police rented out the Soda Springs Hotel in 1941 to guard the Railroad Lines.  That is probably what they were doing at Emigrant Gap as well. 

Also in 1942, most men had entered into the war effort, including Joseph Hankansan, the postmaster for Blue Canyon.  As a result, all mail for Blue Canyon and Emigrant Gap had to be picked up at the Emigrant Gap Post Office.  

In 1944, Emigrant Gap made the news again (for something other than trains, fire and snow).  Here is an excerpt from an article in the SF Chronicle in 1944 about Emigrant Gap area:

Up Monumental Creek. If E R R will go up Monumental Creek about two D K Fox of Oakland tells me he will find another grave a low mound marked only by a wooden cross. It is the grave of Jim an old miner who was buried beside thp cabin in which he died. The cabin even when we were first there was only a flat wreck and the cross on the grave which seemed too new for its surroundings we found had been put there by the professional gambler we had avoided at the old Emigrant Gap Hotel.  He had bered over a mountain trail for miles lo restore the mark lo a pioneer's grave. We first went into that country in 1922. The railroad track was still there. The old engines bearing the dale 1879 were rusting in a shed on the flat. We used to have our hunks put off the train at Fulda drag and roll them down the steep bank to a flatcar and push them as close as we could get to the track. Then we dragged them again and put them on a tiny handcar on the narrow gauge. We pushed the car uphill and clambered on and rode it downhill around curves and over trestles with only a couple of slicks for brakes for about eight miles of the loveliest country anyone ever camped in. It could not have been the safest ride in the world as many trestles were even then gone ties and rails hanging over small gulleys it was a very beau- one. The old mill that E R R mentions was then standing. Each year gave it an in- creasing slant and it was on its way to tion when it was finally burned. I have a good snap of it. The cabin he mentions was Smithwick's cabin the man for whom the creek was named. The cabin of Alex Duncan the man whose grave bears the stone was up the hill on the railroad grade. We camped on the North Fork year after year covering every foot of the country for miles. When the road was opened for automobiles our paradise was gone. Like a much older Eden this one had its. Scarcely a day passed without our encountering one or more rattlesnakes sometimes in uncomfortably close quarters. They have no doubt been driven somewhat into hiding by the influx of campers for there now a good road from Emigrant Gap following partly along old logging roads and partly along the railroad right of way.

Another 1944 article about a find of an old miner shack:

Those interested in California history are being invited to pate as members The society publishes an quarterly containing original and articles embodying much research Up Monumental Creek If E R R will go up Monumental Creek about two D K Fox of Oakland tells me he will find another grave a low mound marked only by a wooden cross It is the grave of Jim an old miner who was buried beside thp cabin in which he died The cabin even when we were first there was only a flat wreck and the cross on the grave which seemed too new for its surroundings we found had been put there by the professional gambler we had avoided at the old Emigrant Gap Hotel He had bered over a mountain trail for miles lo restore the mark lo a pioneer's grave We first went into that country in 1922 The railroad track was still there The old engines bearing the dale 1879 were rusting in a shed on the flat We used to have our hunks put off the train at Fulda drag and roll them clown the steep bank to a flatcar and push them as close as we could get lo the track Then we dragged them again and put them on a tiny handcar on the narrow gauge We pushed the car uphill and clambered on and rode it downhill around curves and over trestles with only a couple of slicks for brakes for about eight miles of the loveliest country anyone ever camped in It could not have been the safest ride in the world as many trestles were even then gone ties and rails hanging over small gulleys it was a very beau- one The old mill that E R R mentions was then standing Each year gave it an in- creasing slant and it was on its way to tion when it was finally burned I have a good snap of it The cabin he mentions was Smithwick's cabin the man for whom the creek was named The cabin of Alex Duncan the man whose grave bears the stone was up the hill on the railroad grade We camped on the North Fork year after year covering every foot of the country for miles When the road was opened for automobiles our paradise was gone Like a much older Eden this one had its Scarcely a clay passed without our encountering one or more rattlesnakes sometimes in uncomfortably close quarters They have no doubt been driven somewhat into hiding by the influx of campers for there now a good road from Emigrant Gap following partly along old logging roads and partly along the railroad right of way 

During the 1940s, Mr. Cortopassi tried to buy the Lookout Point canteen from the widow of T.C. Wohlbruck.  However she refused to sell.  Eventually, the canteen was sold to Hershel Jones (builder of the Rainbow Tavern), who replaced the canteen with the Nyack Lodge.  We believe that Nyack provided stiff competition to the older Emigrant Gap Hotel.  In addition, Nyack was located right on Highway 40, whereas to reach our hotel, you had to turn right from the highway once passing the railroad crossing as the result of the highway 40 realignment. 

Beneath the old Cortopassi residence (restaurant/bar after the fire) was 2 bedrooms for the workers and the meat locker.  While the restaurant was next to the annex, the Cortopassi's had a Chinese cook named Yick.  He cooked a full Chinese Dinner once a week.  He also etched his name in a rock out in front of the Annex that is there til this day!  

The restaurant/bar burned down on July 3,1945 and later the meat locker was filled in by the Bright family for safety reasons. Though Mr. Cortopassi had plans to rebuild, he ended up moving the restaurant/bar  into the front of the annex. The bar was unlicensed and was on the east side of our building and the restaurant counter was on the west side. 

Here is an article about the fire:

Building Burns At Emigrant Gap - Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the annex to the Emigrant Gap hotel on the west slope of the Sierra Saturday morning. The building, owned and operated by Joe Cortapassi, recently had been remodeled and was scheduled to reopen Sunday. The annex, which housed the office, dining room, store and bar, adjoined the hotel building. Efforts of Southern Pacific fire crews saved the main building which was badly scorched. Cortapassi estimated the loss at $10,000 with no insurance. He is planning to rebuild. . The hotel and annex had been in operation for 25 years except for brief periods when the property was leased to the army for the use of military police and again when it was leased to a construction company for its workers. 

In 1946, Emigrant Gap was prominently featured in a Charlie Chan movie, "Shadows Over Chinatown".  In the movie, Chan is traveling on a bus.  The bus stops at Emigrant Gap and someone is shot at the bus depot.  We are not sure where the bus depot was located or if the movie was filmed on location at the gap.  There is no train or bus depot today at Emigrant Gap (though we wish there was). 

Nyack opened in 1946-47.  Here is an excerpt from the 1947 Nevada Gazette that included prices for rooms in our area:

EMIGRANT GAP : Elevation 5300 feet. Sports area at Laing's Pioneer Camp on highway. Rope tow, cross-country trails. Accommodations: Laing's, 50 in cabins, $2 up, meals; Nyack Lodge, Herstle Jones' new hotel on Lookout Point, capacity 50, dining room, bar, ski equipment rentals; Emigrant Gap Hotel, capacity 24, $3 up; Gene's, 12 in cabins; Meadow View Lodge, 7-room party house, 6-10 persons, $2.50 -each per day; Lake View Lodge, capacity 40, and motel, capacity 30, under construction.  



In 1946, the telephone number for the Emigrant Gap hotel was EG8.

In the late 40s, the Rancho Sierra motel was built across from Laing's Pioneer Camp. Rancho Sierra provided snow play and a ski J bar. It became a popular spot for traveling skiers. 

When Mr.  Cortopassi left Emigrant Gap, he purchased the Valencia Club Restaurant in Penyrn.  Joe served steak ravioli, spaghetti, antipasti and salad.  Many people would drive all the way from Roseville, Auburn and Sacramento  to have a nice Italian dinner and dancing on Saturday night.  At some time a law was put into place that stopped the dancing, then some other law was passed that caused Joe and Pete to sell the restaurant.  After that they worked the ranch in Colfax.

I just recently drove through Penryn on the way home from the Lodge and the Valencia is still there and open as a bar and dance hall.  There is supposed to be a shiny mirror behind the bar that Joe and Pete installed, but it was hard to see it when I visited with all the liquor bottles stacked up along the back of the bar.  

The Robinson Caruso Lodge

Mr. Cortopassi sold the lodge to K.D. Robinson of Auburn in 1949.  Mr. Robinson frequently took property in trade for legal fees and most likely owned the lodge as an investment property.  He renamed the Emigrant Gap Hotel to the Robinson Caruso Hotel.  He had a manager run the lodge during his time of ownership. 

K. (Kelly) D. was a prominent lawyer in Auburn and a descendant of a California pioneer family.  His father, A.K. Robinson, was District Attorney for Placer county.  A. K.'s wife (Maggie May) moved to Quincy, California in 1878. She was responsible for initiating the Auburn library which began in 1888 when a group of women published "The Little Gem Cook Book," in which they compiled their favorite recipes. Proceeds from the sale of this book went to support the creation of the first Auburn Library, which was housed in a variety of locations until 1906 when the city assumed responsibility for it.

Here is an article in the Placer County History Book (circa 1928) about the A.K. Robinson:

On November 1, 1949, an article in the Bakersfield Californian told about a fire at the Historic Emigrant Gap Hotel.  The fire was mainly in the restaurant, the dining area and lobby.  The hotel had just reopened 4 days before the fire after remodeling.  

We are unsure when Mr. Robinson sold the lodge and to whom.  His family still lives in the Auburn area and own 3 cabins in Big Bend.  They owned some Emigrant Gap Hotel blankets at their cabin and donated one to the Donner Summit Historical Society for their archives. We met them and they told us that they always wondered why the hand embroidered wool blankets were in a blanket chest at their cabin.