In this episode of Reno Murders: Death in the Biggest Little City, we uncover the chilling history of the Donner Party tragedy at Donner Pass. Stranded in the Sierra Nevada during the brutal winter of 1846–47, dozens of pioneers faced starvation, desperation, and the ultimate taboo—cannibalism for survival.
We’ll explore the journey westward, the fateful decisions that trapped them in the snow, and the haunting rescue attempts that revealed one of America’s darkest survival stories. More than just a tale of hunger, the Donner Party’s ordeal shaped how settlers viewed the Sierra Nevada and set the stage for Reno’s role as a safer crossing point in the decades to come.
Join us as we connect the legend of Donner Pass to Reno’s shadowed past, where survival, tragedy, and human desperation echo through history.
References & Sources
Hardesty, Donald L. (1997). The Archaeology of the Donner Party. University of Nevada Press.
👉 Publisher link
Wallis, Michael (2009). The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny. W.W. Norton.
👉 Publisher link
McGlashan, C. F. (1879). History of the Donner Party. Truckee Republican. (Public Domain).
👉 Archive.org link
Univ. of Nevada, Reno – Special Collections. Donner Party Collection.
👉 UNR Library link
PBS: American Experience (1992). The Donner Party (Documentary).
👉 PBS Episode page
History.com Editors (2023). “Donner Party.” History Channel.
👉 History.com article
Disclaimer & Listener Warning
This podcast discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics, including murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. All information presented has been compiled from publicly available records, news reports, archival sources, and historical accounts. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, details may vary depending on source material.
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