39°07'31.4"N 119°53'02.8"W

A station on the Lake Bigler Lumber Company's toll road going from Carson City through King's Canyon (aka Ostermann's Grade) to Lake Tahoe. It was built by Wells Fargo and named for Ormsby County Sheriff Shubael Thaddeus Swift, the station's first manager. I don't beleive he was the owner, as the article below suggests. An overview from a later newspaper article:

King's canyon was the early-day location of a number of saw mills. The opening of the toll road created an opportunity for the Lake Bigler Lumber Co., which had been established in 1862, at what is now Glenbrook; to dispose of their product in Virginia City. This mill was quite a pretentious affair for those days, turning out about 80,000 feet of clear lumber per day, together with a large quantity of shingles. Besides the Monitor mill, erected in King's canyon in 1863, there were about half a dozen more mills, all working in an endeavor to supply the huge demand of the Comstock. About 10 miles out of Carson City, the remains of the old Swift's Station can yet be noted. At one time there was quite a hotel at this place, as well as sawmill, stables, cabins, 'etc. The place was owned by Sheriff Shubael Thaddeus Swift, a pioneer sheriff of Ormsby county, who did much to build up the entire section thereabouts. Two miles beyond Swift's Station is located the old Summit Station where was established the terminus of the narrow gauge railroad, and the loading platforms of the V-flume where the lumber and wood was shot down Clear Creek canyon to the yards at Carson City, to be loaded on care and transported to Virginia City.
-Nevada State Journal, July 19, 1925

While convenient, it wasn't exactly cheap, as it took quite a bit to open the road and keep it going, A buggy with one horse cost the 2024 equivalent of $25.92, a single horse and rider was $9.37, while a lumber wagon with six animals was charged $63.41 2024 dollars.

Friday's station and the new road.
In 1860 J. W. Small and M. K. Burke located the place a few miles above Glenbrook, upon the Placerville road, and built the house which has over since been known as " Friday's " Station. This is about three-fourths of a mile inside of the Nevada State line, and Mr. Small still lives there. At that time all the travel, which was becoming very great, entered Carson Valley principally by the way of the Kingsbury Grade. In 1862 a new route was contemplated from Friday's Station to Carson City, following the lake shore for some distance, and then diverging into the bead of King's Canyon, and entering Eagle Valley at the Capital City. This road was called the Lake Bigler Toll road, was of easy grade for a mountain thoroughfare, somewhat shortened the distance to the great mining center, and was completed in 1863. Tolls on the road were:
July 9, 1863, as follows:
Wagon with two animals $2.00
Each additional animal .25
Empty wagons, half rate
Buggy and two horses 1.50
Buggy and one horse 1.00
Horseman .50
Pack animal .25
Loose animals, (each) .12
-History of Nevada 1881

Wonder if the owner ever claimed his horse?

FOUND!
One grey horse, Spanish brand on left hip, about fourteen hands high. Said horse came to SWIFT'S STATION on the night of Saturday, May 9, 1868. The owner can recover his property by paying the charges for feed and the cost of this advertisement.
FRED D. TURNER
Agent for Lake Bigler Toll-Road Company
-Carson Daily Appeal, July 11, 1868

The Station slowly received improvements, ending up with a hotel and sawmill.

Lake Bigler Toll Road Company, (H.M. Yerington, agent): S. and C. tax, 93 00; delinq., 9 20, assessed upon about 9 miles of Toll Road in Ormsby County, known as the "Lake Bigler Toll Road," assessed at 2,000 00; also the possessory claim to piece of land on said road, about 8 miles W. of Carson, being N.W. 1/4 of N.E. 1/4 of Sec. 31, T15, N. R 19E, containing 40 acres, with improvements thereon, known as "Swift's Station," assessed at 1,000 00. Total, 3,000 00.
-Carson Daily Appeal April 4, 1869

E D Sweeny & Co., forty acres of timber land described as N.W. 1/4 of N.E. 1/4 of Sec. 31, T15, N. R 19E, with hotel, barn, and sawmill thereon, and known as "Swift's Station..."
-Carson Daily Appeal January 20, 1872

Sheriff Swift was active in the community-- while no longer managing his namesake station, he did become Sheriff a couple of times, owned the Hot Springs north of town, and started a volunteer fire fighting unit in Carson. But maybe he needed to spend more time with his wife?

A SAD CASE
The Wife of Ex-Sheriff Swift Hopelessly Insane.
For a few days past it has been a
matter of common talk in the city
that the wife of ex-Sheriff Swift
had become insane: The newspapers of the city avoided mention of the fact out of regards for the feelings of the family and with a hope that her dementia was but of a temporary character. The intelligence
however has crept into other papers
in the neighboring towns and there is nothing gained by any further silence upon the matter.
Mrs. Swift showed signs of dementia about ten days ago but it was of so mild a type that her friends and relatives had every reason to hope of a speedy termination of the malady. She gradually became worse and presently claimed that she had received a communication from the spirits that Trenmore Coffin owed her husband $400. Mr. Swift says that no such debt ever existed.
She then became possessed of the idea that she was "Queen of the Earth" and that sacrifices must made in her honor.
She even mentioned some of the neighbors children as proper subjects for the altar. At times she passed into a frenzy of madness and had to be closely watched day and night. It is claimed her troubles grew out of religious excitement and spiritual manifestations. It has been decided to send her to Stockton under the care of Dr. Clarke who is an old friend and school-mate of hers. She will be under private treatment in a room by herself where she can procure the best of treatment and professional skill.
Mr. Swift has the universal sympathy of the community in his own and wife's misfortune.
-Daily Appeal, July 30, 1886

As scary as late 19th Century psychiatric care might have been, her treatment appears to helped her.

Two years later, ol' Shubael caught pneumonia and passed away.

The Funeral of S. T. Swift.
The funeral of the late S. T. Swift was one of the largest that Carson ever witnessed. The procession was nearly a quarter of a mile long headed by the Swift Engine Fire Department, then the Curry House Company followed by the Masonic order, hearse, mourners and friends. The service was conducted at the house by Rev. Geo. R. Davis, and a choir sang the usual anthems and other appropriate music. The coffin was covered with
floral tributes and all over the city were expressions of genuine regret that the sturdy old ex-Sheriff had gone to his long home.
-Morning Appeal June 3, 1888

His wife Cecelia Bristol Swift eventually moved to San Mateo, California, where she passed away on December 12, 1924.

The location was used by woodcutters as well as travelers.

WANTED
Teams to haul wood from Swift's station to Carson, $2 per cord wages. Laborers wanted also to handle wood. Enquire of Geo. Meyers. P.F. Danhouser
-Daily Appeal, October 11, 1903

Kings Canyon road was-- and still can be-- a treacherous road, particularly without regular maintenance. Add some winter weather and you have the potential for tragedy.

CARSON MAN LOST IN SNOW
SEARCHING PARTIES SEARCHING THE HILLS
Woodchopper Becomes Lost While Trying to Reach Lumber Camp.
CARSON, Nevada, Feb. 24. For four days an Italian woodchopper who was on his way from Carson to Swift's station in King's canyon with a load of supplies, has been missing and searching parties that are out for him have met with no success. The trail between the two places is covered with great difficulty and the firm belief of his fellow lumbermen is, that he has perished as there were several feet of snow in the mountains at the time. The unfortunate man was in the employ of Mr. Danhauser and knew the trail thoroughly so no danger was anticipated when he left. When three days passed. however,
his brother started out after him and when he did not return with tidings other men joined in the search.
-Reno Evening Gazette, February 24, 1906

A robber is foiled.

A highwayman attempted to hold up Michael Spooner who was on his way to Carson City with his wife and sick baby. The bandit appeared masked at a point about 100 yards above Swift's Station on the King's Canyon road. He commanded Spooner to get out and was obeyed. The team started to run down the grade, threw Mrs. Spooner and the child out in the road and collided with a wood team at Swift's and stopped. The robber went through Spooner who had no money and then disappeared in the brush. He was never caught. Mrs. Spooner nor the baby was hurt.
-Daily Appeal, August 7, 1909

No more stages meant a lot less business for Swift's Station. It was eventually torn down, although a few smaller buildings remained.

PASSING OF LANDMARK
Buildings at Swift Station are Being Dismantled.
Ed Sweeny of this city has a force of men at work tearing down the old hotel at Swifts Station and in a few days that last sign that marked the former existence of the old station will have disappeared. Swift's station has been one of the few remaining relics of the olden clays in this section and one of last reminders of the days of staging existing hereabouts. The station was built in the early sixties by Wells Fargo and company and was named after Ed. Swift the first manager of the place and who owned the freighting line between here and Placerville. At that time the Kings Canyon road was the one mostly used by emigrants coming from California to this section of Nevada and most of the supplies for the Comstock that came before the railroad came over this route from the coast. Travel at that time was heavy considering the facilities available and the station was a money making proposition. There were plenty of accommodation for both man and beast and on many occasions as many as two hundred people have spent the night there. After the coming of the railroad the stage line was slowly but surely abandoned and for many years after that the station was used to accommodate the wood and lumber men employed in the camps in that section. A number of years ago Ed Sweeney became the owner of the property and for the past number of years he has used the station as it headquarters for his wood camps near there. Every year has decreased the available wood supply in that section and with it goes the buildings which once composed quite a settlement. Everything has been taken away with the exception of the boarding house and now this last building is being torn down and hauled to this city to be used for fire wood. During the time of the heavy travel over this outlet to California and the coast, the road was kept in excellent repair and for years during the summer months the road was sprinkled dally front Lake Tahoe to this city to do away with the inconvenience of the dust on the passengers traveling on the stage lines between Virginia City, Carson City and western Nevada to Sacramento which was the end of the stage line.
-Daily Appeal. November 17, 1908

If this were written today, there would probably be lawsuits.

CLOSE CALL FOR OFFICIALS
Yesterday while on the road to Lake Tahoe Governor Oddie and Attorney General Baker had a collision between machines that might have resulted seriously. Mr. Baker was coming from the lake, while the Governor in his machine was going up. As the two machines rounded the curve at Swift's Station, where there is a lot of wood piled, they came together. Both fortunately were running slowly. The governor's car lost a tire, while Baker's seemed to get off with a few bruises and no serious trouble. The big pile of cord wood his the approaching cars and as they were nearly onto each other before the brakes could be applied. None of the party were injured, though pretty well shaken up. The governor patched his tire and the Attorney General came on home. They want no more experiences of like nature.
-Daily Appeal, June 17, 1912

In 1913, Kings Canyon road became part of the Lincoln Highway, but the route was eventually moved to Clear Creek Rd.

The Clear Creek Road began as a Washoe Indian pathway and later became Johnson’s Cut-Off Wagon Rd.which developed into the Rufus Walton Toll Rd. At a later date it became known as the Clear Creek Grade which provided an alternate route to the King’s Canyon road during the summer months.In 1913 the Clear Creek route was passed over by the Lincoln Highway Association in favor of the King’s Canyon alignment, until 1928 when the Nevada Highway Department improved the Clear Creek Road and the Lincoln Highway was realigned and served as part of US 50.The highway was again realigned to it’s current alignment in 1957.
-The Traveler, October 2018, Lincoln Highway Association California Chapter.

Being part of the Lincoln Highway, it was important for King's Canyon road be maintained and improved.

OPERATIONS TO BEGIN MONDAY
Kings Canyon Road to be Repaired
Work on the Kings Canyon road is to start Monday Morning. The Commissioners have decided to spend the available money on this improvement and see how far it will go toward the repairs and making of turnouts on this famous auto route to Lake Tahoe. In order to carry on the work about twelve men and three teams have been engaged. The first camp will be established at Swift's Station, a crew working both ways on the road bed.
-Daily Appeal, May 9, 1913

Crime doesn't pay

YOUNG THIEVES ARRESTED
Three boys giving the names of John Burton. aged 17; William Rudy, 17 and James Clark, 19, and giving Los Angeles as their home, were arrested by the authorities near Lakeview yesterday and charged with rifling the Gray cabin at Swift station. When arrested the boys were searched and a number of articles said to have been taken from the cabin were found on their persons. The boys were brought to town and placed in jail pending further investigation. Today they were taken out to the prison by Sheriff Stern and their finger prints taken for comparison.
-Daily Appeal. November 21, 1919

Recognizing the importance of a clear road to the local economy, several citizens got together and took care of things themselves.

Make Good Progress On King Canyon Road
The Carsonites who gave their services yesterday on the Kings Canyon road put in a busy day and a lot was accomplished. The party broke the road well past Swift's station, in fact, they reached a point within one mile of the summit, where four feet of solid packed snow was found which will take considerable hard work to open up the stretch. On the other summit leading toward the lake from Placerville, good progress is being made. The road is open to a point thirty-seven miles above Placerville, while the road from Myers to Bijou is in fair condition. There is considerable snow, hard packed, about Phillips. It will be several weeks before that section is open. Those who made up the party from this city yesterday were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meder. Mr. and Mrs. Parvin Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kelly, W. D. Alexander, Mrs. Lillie Ryan. Art,. Sunday, Chester Muller. Fred Frisby, A. B. Gray. Erle Gray, Glen Gray. Harry Summerfield, A. Zimmerman. Charles Riley and Franklin Riley. It was one of the finest days this spring and in spite of the work, the party held a picnic at Swift's station, which was thoroughly enjoyed. It is expected that within the next two weeks the road will be open to the lake, which will be the earliest in a in number of seasons.
-Daily Appeal March, 28, 1921

With the re-routing of the Lincoln Highway, Kings Canyon became important only to local travelers. Soon, it would become just a wide spot in the road.

Pony Express? Huh? What?

As far as I can tell, Swift's Station was never on the Pony Express Route. All the documents I've seen show it going from Carson to Genoa and then to Friday's Station. However, a Mr. Carson B. Hawley of Sacramento, who says his father ran Swift's Station "in the '60's" recalls Pony Express riders coming through.

DAYS OF PONY EXPRESS RIDERS ARE RECALLED
Sacramento Man Remembers Well Excitement Their Coming Always Caused.
Editor of The Bee — Sir:
I am inspired by W. G. Marshall's letter published August 3rd last to write you concerning pony express days. In the sixties my father kept Swift Station on the old stage and Pony express route between Sacramento and Carson City, the exact location being at the foot of the second summit, five miles east of Glenbrook, Nevada. The station was named after Ned Swift, one of the stage company's district managers.
[Actually S.T. Swift, but hey- FN]
The station was a change point for both stages and pony express. About thirty horses were kept there. West bound stage passengers ate dinner and got away for the long night ride behind a string of six mustangs about 6 o'clock. About 7 p.m. the pony boy came in and caused far more stir than the stages. The family, hotel help, hostlers and dogs were all on the lookout for him and as he appeared around a point in the road a shout of "Here he comes!" rang out. A greeting to the rider, change of saddle (a dry saddle blanket and bridle already being on the fresh pony) and mail bag and he was off amid the yells of his admirers, even to the envy of the two boys who thought a pony rider the ideal job. We all watched him as he took the bend in the road for a climb over to Lake Tahoe, where he made his next change. From Carson to our house is nine miles, up hill all the way. It was made in less than one hour. I remember a sturdy built roan that was found dead in his sta11 after doing his nine-mile turn. The stages were operated by the
Pioneer Stage Company. Its management was strict and nothing was left undone for the comfort and safety of its passengers. The best and most daring drivers were employed. Handling six horses around those bends on the run at night was no joke. Quick changes were made about every ten miles. I have ridden with the famous Hank Monk, who was a great driver, but drank very little water. Other noted drivers I remember were Baldy Green, Billy Williams (held his whip in his left hand), Charley Grey and John Spaulding. The latter settled in Auburn and I understand became interested in water power sites which the Pacific Gas and Electric Company now owns. All of those noted chaps have passed on to the other world. Much has been said and written about the overland stages and pony express. Very little, however, of the great freight teams and the men who were required to handle as many as fourteen mules or horses and three wagons over those same roads that the stages traversed. Those men were of as great dependability as stage drivers, only in a somewhat different way. The former used one line only, the latter six to control his animals. Outstanding 'freight rigs in my mind were those of R. S. Carey of Sacramento. His wagons were of the best make. Likewise the harness. Each blind had on it R. S. C.
The teams were matched and tapered from very large "wheelers'' to small leaders. Carey will be remembered these days as the man who owned the one-horse, bobtail street car lines that ran out 0 and H Streets to Twentieth Street. The enclosed picture is of "Swift Station," taken just after nearly all the teams had left after the noon meal.
CARSON B. HAWLEY.
Sacramento, August 15, 1923.
-Sacramento Bee, August 17, 1923