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 link to plaque | ARROYO DE CANTUA Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map This was said to be the headquarters of notorious bandit Joaquin Murieta who made a career of terrorizing mining camps and stage operations. He was killed here July 25, 1853 by a posse of state rangers led by Captain Harry Love. Site is three large rocks in foothills SW of Cantua Creek Bridge, plaques located on State Hwy 198, 9 mi N of Coalinga Note: There are two plaques. One is south of the intersection of Hwy 33 and Hwy 198, and the other is east of it. The actual site is in the foothills, and I have not made it there yet. The map link points to the actual site. Additional info: | |
 link to plaque | FRESNO CITY Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map 'Fresno City' gradually arose at the head of navigation of the Fresno Slough, and existed from approximately 1855 to 1875 - today there are no traces of it left. In 1872, the 'City of Fresno,' later the county seat, was established about 30 miles to the southwest, on the newly built Central Pacific Railroad. On Fresno Slough, 0.8 mi N of James Rd, from Tranquillity, then 1.3 mi NW on levee rd (dirt), Tranquillity Note: Take S Levee Rd north from S James Rd. The paved road will head left and turn into W American Ave. Ignore that and keep going straight onto the dirt road. Stay to the right at the first split, then follow the road until the end. Additional info: | |
 link to plaque | SITE OF THE FRESNO FREE SPEECH FIGHT OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map At the corner of Mariposa and I Streets, from October 1910 to March 1911, the Industrial Workers of the World fought for the right of free speech in their efforts to organize Fresno's unskilled labor force. This was the first fight for free speech in California, and the first attempt to organize the valley's unskilled workers. In planter, 100 ft SW of clock tower, Broadway and Mariposa Mall, Fresno Note: The directions are somewhat misleading. The clock tower is in the middle of Fulton Mall. Yes, those are correct cross streets, but you'll have to park elsewhere and walk in. The plaque is indeed in the planter, but it's flat in the dirt and easy to overlook. Additional info: The Downtown Association Of Fresno | |
 link to plaque | FORESTIERE UNDERGROUND GARDENS Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map Here, beneath the hot, arid surface of the San Joaquin Valley, Baldasare Forestiere (1879-1946) began in the early 1900s to sculpt a fantastic retreat. Excavating the hardpan by hand, he created a unique complex of underground rooms, passages, and gardens which rambled throughout a ten-acre parcel. His work is being preserved as a living monument to a creative and individualistic spirit unbounded by conventionality. 5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno Note: Plaque is in the "banquet hall" at the beginning of the tour. Admission is required, and tour dates and times are limited. There is no parking lot; park on Shaw Ave. Additional info: Forestiere Underground Gardens | |
 link to plaque | TEMPORARY DETENTION CAMPS FOR JAPANESE AMERICANS-FRESNO ASSEMBLY CENTER Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map This memorial is dedicated to over 5,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined at the Fresno Fairgrounds from May to October 1942. This was an early phase of the mass incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II pursuant to Executive Order 9066. They were detained without charges, trial or establishment of guilt. May such injustice and suffering never recur. Fresno District Fairgrounds, front of Commerce Bldg, Chance Ave entrance, Fresno Note: Obviously you'll have to figure out when the fairgrounds are open in order to get in. Free parking is plentiful if you look for it. Additional info: The Big Fresno Fair |