Held in March, 2006 marked the 150th anniversary of Jon "Snowshoe" Thompson's first trip on skis over Sierra Nevada from Genoa, NV, to Placerville, CA.
"Snowshoe" Thompson Memorial Statue
The magnificent statue of Jon "Snowshoe" Thompson, which stands in the grounds of the Mormon Station State Park in Genoa, was dedicated on June 23, 2001. The statue was sculpted by Don Budy of Colorado. Thirty relatives from Snowshoe's birthplace in Norway and many others from across the United States came to Genoa for the celebration. A large piece of granite stone sent from Snowshoe's birthplace in Tinn, Telemark, Norway, is a part of the base of the monument. This statue was made possible with funds raised by the Snowshoe Thompson Committee of the Greater Genoa Business Association. On October 6, 2003, a non-profit organization was formed called "Friends of Snowshoe Thompson".
The purpose of the "The Friends of Snowshoe Thompson":
"To promote and foster the memory of Jon "Snowshoe" Thompson through events & activities and to maintain the statue and planter in Mormon Station State Park."
The mission is of the organization is:
"To honor the memory of Snowshoe Thompson in many ways, including promotion of international cooperation between Norwegian and American communities; promotion of connections between American Lutheran Churches and Scandinavian Lutheran Churches; encouraging education in the schools about Norwegians in America; and holding events supporting these ideals."
Anyone is welcome to be on the membership list and will be notified of meetings and events. For information please contact:
