coin, commemorative
Object
Accession Number
2020.004Description
A brass coin medallion, on one side the image of a steam locomotive on train tracks, above it “DUNSMUIR” in upper-case font, on the left side at boiler-height “1886” and at the right side “1983”, at the bottom, “CALIFORNIA’S RAILROAD TOWN” in upper-case font, on the medallion’s other side an image of a three-tiered fountain dripping with water, the fountain surrounded by the words, “ALEXANDER DUNSMUIR FOUNTAIN – BEST WATER ON EARTH”.Narrative
The town of Dunsmuir California was named “Pusher” until 1886 when Alexander Dunsmuir offered the town the gift of a fountain provided that civic officials changed the name of the place to Dunsmuir. It had been called “Pusher” because extra locomotives had to be added to the Southern Pacific Railroad trains in the town in order to push them over the steep mountain pass nearby. The town was and still is famous for its water. The City of Dunsmuir derives all of its water from a natural spring. Chlorination is not required.
The 1983 year that appears on this medallion commemorates the annual “Railroad Days” event that occurred on that year. The annual event began in the 1940’s.
History of Use
Unknown. Purchased from a commercial seller in Utah, USA.
