Brockway, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brockway
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 Brockway
Location in California
Brockway
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Placer County |
| Elevation | 6,266 ft (1,910 m) |
Brockway is a small, special place in California, right on the northern shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. It's so close to the Nevada border that it's almost in two states at once! This community sits high up, about 6,266 feet (1,910 meters) above sea level, offering amazing views. It used to be called Hot Springs.
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Discovering Brockway
Brockway is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California. This means it's a recognized place, but it doesn't have its own city government. It's located right on State Line Point, which is a spot where California meets Nevada.
Why is it called Brockway?
The name Brockway honors a man named Nathaniel Brockway. He was the uncle of the very first postmaster in the area. A post office served the community from 1901 until 1966.
A Glimpse into Brockway's Past
Brockway was one of the first places around Lake Tahoe where American settlers made their homes. This happened after the first Trans-Continental Railroad was built. The railroad passed about 12 miles north of Lake Tahoe, through a town called Truckee.
Early Travel and Tourism
The very first road built to bring tourists from the Truckee train station to Lake Tahoe came over Brockway Summit. This road, now Highway 267, ended at the Brockway pier. From there, visitors could take steamboats to other parts of the lake.
Soon after, a special railroad track was built from Truckee to Tahoe City. This made Tahoe City the first real resort town at the lake. Today, the old railroad path is a fun bicycle trail along the Truckee River.
Brockway's Unique Hot Springs
Brockway is special because it has the only hot springs right on the shore of Lake Tahoe! These natural hot springs have been enjoyed for a very long time.
You can also see old "grain grinding holes" along the shore. These holes, called gámuŋ in the Washo language, were used by native people to grind grains.
Around 1869, a large and comfortable hotel was built near the hot springs. This happened shortly after the road over Brockway Summit was finished.
A Border Mix-Up
Did you know Brockway was once thought to be in two different states? When surveyors were drawing the line between California and Nevada, they made a mistake. They placed the border about half a mile west of where it should have been. This meant Brockway was accidentally placed in Nevada! Luckily, the mistake was eventually corrected, and Brockway is now firmly in California.
Growth and Glamour
The Brockway community grew steadily, and many homes were built in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1930s and 1940s, Brockway became a popular spot for Hollywood celebrities. It was a glamorous getaway for movie stars!
