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 link to plaque | BEAR VALLEY Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map First called Johnsonville, Bear Valley had a population of 3,000, including Chinese, Cornish, and Mexicans. During 1850-60 when Col. John C. FrŽmont's Ride Tree and Josephine Mines were producing, FrŽmont's elegant hotel, Oso House, was built with lumber brought around the Horn. It no longer stands. After a fire in 1888, structures were rebuilt. Some still standing are Bon Ton Saloon, Trabucco Store, Odd Fellows Hall, school house and remains of jail. On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 29.2), Bear Valley Note: No plaque, but there is a sign on the west side of Hwy 49, just north of Bear Valley Rd. This is not Bear Valley the ski resort. Additional info: | |
 link to plaque | HORNITOS Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map George W. Coulter started a tent store here in early 1850 to supply the hundreds of miners working the rich placers of Maxwell, Boneyard, and Black Creeks. He also built the first hotel, water for it was pumped from a well by two Newfoundland dogs. Originally called Banderita from the flag flying over Coulter's store, the settlement became Maxwell Creek when the post office was established in 1853, but the name was changed the following year to honor Coulter. The family of Francisco Bruschi, who erected the first permanent building here, provided the town's leading merchants for over eighty years. Despite their crude methods, and with only wood for fuel, the nearby quartz mines operated for years and produced millions of dollars worth of gold, Andrew Goss built the first stamp mill for crushing their ore. County Park, NE corner of intersection of County Hwy J20 and State Hwy 132 (P.M. 44.8), Coulterville Note: No plaque, but there is a sign at the south end of the park. There are numerous historical and abandoned buildings to look at. Additional info: California Gold Country - Hornitos | |
 link to plaque | AGUA FRIA Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map One-quarter mile north of Carson Creek, a tributary of Agua Fria Creek, was located the town of Agua Fria, in 1850-51 the first county seat of Mariposa County. One of the original 27 counties in California, Mariposa County comprised one-sixth of the state-all of what is now Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties-until 1852, while mining was the main industry of region. The town of Mariposa became the seat of government in 1852, and the courthouse there was completed in 1854. 4189 State Hwy 140 (P.M. 172), 3.2 mi W of Mariposa Note: Easy to spot on the north side of the road, in front of someone's house. There is a large turnout. Also onsite is an E Clampus Vitus MATUCA Chapter 1849 plaque. Additional info: View Of Agua Fria Town (1851-1853) | |
 link to plaque | MARIPOSA COUNTY COURTHOUSE Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map This mortise-and-tenon Greek Revival courthouse, erected in 1854, is California's oldest court of law and has served continuously as the seat of county government since 1854. During the 19th century, landmark mining cases setting legal precedent were tried here, and much United States mining law is based on decisions emanating from this historic courthouse. 10th and Bullion Sts, Mariposa Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: NPS-91000560 Note: Take the free tour. They let you sit in the judge's chair. Additional info: Mariposa Superior Court | |
 link to plaque | YOSEMITE VALLEY Photoset: Flickr Set | Map: Google Map On June 30, 1864, in an act signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the United States granted the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California to 'be held for public use, resort, and recreation . . . inalienable for all time.' This, the first federal authorization to preserve scenic and scientific values for public benefit, was the basis for the later concept of state and national park systems. In 1906 the State of California returned the land, considered the first state park in the country, so that it could become part of Yosemite National Park. Mounted on entrance wall of auditorium bldg, Visitor Center, Yosemite National Park Note: No picture of the plaque yet. There is an admission charge to get into Yosemite. Additional info: Yosemite |