Mariposa County, California

A Home for Rangers A New Vision for an Ancient Grove A Seasonal Lake A Shrine to Justice in California A Storied Landscape A Varied View A View Through Time Agua Fria Agua Fria Avalanche! Bagby Bear Valley Big Tree Bracken Fern and Baskets Bridgeport California State Mining and Mineral Museum Capital Saloon Cathey's Valley Catheys Valley Schoolhouse Cavagnaro General Store Celebrating the Mariposa Grove Coulterville Coulterville Coulterville Hotel Coulterville Toll Road D. Ghirardelli & Co. Disappearing Waterfalls Early Tourism El Capitan Enduring Giant Fremont Adobe Fremont’s Fort Glacier Point Hotel Glacier Point View Terrace Glaciers at the Gate Haigh Ranch Happy Isles Gaging Station Historic Walls Hornitos Hornitos Hornitos Hornitos Masonic Hall Hornitos Masonic Hall No. 98 Indian Gulch James Hutchings Jeffery Hotel John Muir... The Woodcutter John Trabucco Building La Mineta 1850 - Princeton 1854 - Mount Bullion 1862 LeConte Memorial Lodge Mariposa County Court House Mariposa County Courthouse Mariposa County’s Old Stone Jail Mariposa Independent Order Odd Fellows Hall Mariposa Meat Market Mariposa Museum and History Center May Rock Mirror Lake Resources Mormon Bar Mrs. E. Trabucco Store Mt. Buckingham School Natural Dam Old Wells Fargo Office Olmsted Point President Theodore Roosevelt & John Muir Meeting Site Reawakening the Meadow Rewards of Travel Schlageter Hotel Selling the Sublime Site of Savage’s Trading Post St. Catherine Catholic Church St. Joseph's Catholic Church St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Sun Sun Wo Co. Sustaining the Mariposa Grove The Ahwahnee Porte Cochere The Ahwahneechee The Art of Thomas Hill The Grand Lodge The Journey to Yosemite The Mint The Old Yosemite Village The Ophir Mines The Story of Half Dome The Surviving Tunnel Tree The Townsite of Agua Fria, California Visitors at Mirror Lake Waterfalls of Yosemite Valley Wawona Hotel Welcome to Glacier Point Whistling Billy Whitlock Mining District William Sell Jr. Memorial Bridge Yosemite Valley Yosemite Valley Railroad Yosemite Valley's First Visit by White Men
Mariposa County, located in the central part of California, has a rich and colorful history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Miwok, before European settlers arrived. In the early 1840s, the famous California Gold Rush drew thousands of miners to the region, leading to the establishment of Mariposa County in 1850 as one of California's original 27 counties.

The county's name, Mariposa, is a Spanish word meaning butterfly, and it was named after Mariposa Creek, which runs through the area. The county's first county seat was Agua Fria, but it was later moved to Mariposa in 1854. During the Gold Rush era, Mariposa County experienced significant growth and attracted many prospectors seeking their fortunes. The discovery of gold in the area led to the establishment of mining towns, including Hornitos and Coulterville, which played a crucial role in the county's development.

Mariposa County also has a historical significance as home to Yosemite Valley, which became one of the first national parks in the United States. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, protecting the valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, located within the county's boundaries. This act of preservation marked a significant milestone in the conservation movement and laid the foundation for the creation of the national park system.

Over the years, Mariposa County has continued to thrive as a tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world to admire the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park. The county's economy is now primarily based on tourism, agriculture, and government services. Mariposa County has preserved its historical charm, with many historical sites and buildings still standing, serving as a reminder of its vibrant past.
Brief timeline of the history of Mariposa County, California:

  • 1849 - Mariposa County is established as one of the original 27 counties of California.
  • 1850 - Mariposa becomes the largest county in California, covering a vast area of the Sierra Nevada range.
  • 1851 - The California State Legislature authorizes the construction of a courthouse in Mariposa.
  • 1852 - The Mariposa Gazette, the county's first newspaper, is established.
  • 1855 - The California State Legislature reduces Mariposa County's territory, creating several new counties.
  • 1861 - Mariposa County is greatly affected by the outbreak of the Civil War, as many residents join the Union Army.
  • 1866 - The Yosemite Grant is signed by President Abraham Lincoln, establishing the world's first national park and including parts of Mariposa County.
  • 1892 - The Yosemite Valley Railroad begins operation, boosting tourism in Mariposa County.
  • 1915 - The Wawona Hotel, a historic landmark in Mariposa County, is rebuilt and opens to the public.
  • 1940 - The Mariposa Museum and History Center is established to preserve and showcase the county's rich heritage.
  • 1969 - The Sierra National Forest is established, encompassing a significant portion of Mariposa County.
  • 1987 - The majestic Mariposa Grove, home to 500 giant sequoia trees, is added to Yosemite National Park.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Mariposa County, California.

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