By Shanna Kuhlemier

During the late 19th century and with the completion of the transcontinental railroad, new local industries started to emerge in Truckee.

At this time, the local dairy industry was established due to the ease of transporting products to lucrative markets. This area in the Sierra was a dairyman’s heaven. The region provided summer pasture for herds brought in from Central California, and in earlier years, there were reportedly 15 to 20 dairy farms close to Truckee that yielded enormous quantities (60,000 pounds) of “premium quality” butter that, in turn, was sold at “premium” prices throughout the west’s urban markets.

The McIver dairy in Truckee is getting new paint. Photo/Provided

Two dairies are occasionally alluded to around historic Truckee. The Von Flue dairy was originally located on the south side of the Truckee River, occupying the lands around present-day River Street. The McIver Dairy was located along Donner Pass Road just north of Interstate 80. Both were significant contributors to early community development and the economic growth of our region.

In 1998 Truckee purchased the McIver property. A year later, the Town Council approved “Paint the Dairy Day” — a collaborative project between the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Community Project, the Truckee Donner Historical Society and the town. The project provided for the repair and painting of all three of the historical buildings.

In 2013, CATT Community Project has been kind enough to grant the project another painting and repair. Project leaders include Mike Nethersole, MD Construction, Kelly Brothers Painting, Kelly Moore, and Josh Root, Root Design Electric.

The interpretive sign is being developed by the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, 4th- and 5th-grade crew and the Brisbin Crew as part of their history learning curriculum and as a service learning project. And the Donner Summit Historical Society (Bill Oudegeest) is building the sign as part of their Highway 40 Scenic Bypass Project.

On May 24 at 1pm will be the unveiling of the interpretive sign.

Other community partners include: Rotary of Truckee, Village Nursery, and the Truckee Donner Historical Society.

Shanna Kuhlemier works for the town of Truckee.