Trails to Rails' at Sunnyvale's Heritage Park Museum

"Two years prior to the Donner Party's disastrous attempt, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy wagon train successfully arrived in Californiawith two more people than it started withand its members helped settle Sunnyvale. The Sunnyvale Historical Society is celebrating those settlers, along with folks who got off the train at Sunnyvale's Murphy Station, at an Oct. 25 Trails to Rails event at the Heritage Park Museum, located at 570 E. Remington Drive. The event takes place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and will focus on the period from the 1840s -1920s."

"Frank X Mullen will portray Old Caleb Greenwood, the mountain man who helped guide the wagon train over the Sierra Nevada. He was 80 years old at the time. Visitors will also learn about the Horseback Party of Six, who left the rest of the travelers to reach Sutter's Fort and return with more supplies. The End of the Trail wagon camp will give visitors the chance learn about life along the trail."

Trails to Rails will be held Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Park Museum, 570 E. Remington Drive in Sunnyvale. The event focuses on 1840s–1920s history and honors Stephens-Townsend-Murphy wagon train settlers and those who disembarked at Murphy Station. Frank X Mullen will portray mountain man Old Caleb Greenwood, and programming will cover the Horseback Party of Six and an End of the Trail wagon camp demonstrating trail life. Exhibits will highlight early trains that stopped at Murphy Station, with the Bay Area Garden Railway Society operating a 20-by-40-foot steam engine layout. Additional demonstrations, crafts, shows, music, a statehood booth, and food will be offered. Attendance is free; some crafts require tickets. Contact Heritageparkmuseum.org or call 408-749-0220 for information.

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