Hornitos in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hornitos
Photographed By Lester Leston, October 8, 2010
1. Hornitos Marker
This is the 3rd generation marker. The first two, also wooden, did not stand up to the elements and continue their deterioration stacked behind the Ghillardelli ruins.
Welcome to one of the most famous ghost towns of the 1800's. Hornitos is Spanish for "Little Ovens". It got its name from the above ground graves that were shaped like little cooking ovens used in Mexico. During this time, population was about 15,000 and had the first Wells Fargo office in the county. $40,000 in gold was shipped to the mint daily. Hornitos was host to Joaquin Murietta, one of Calif. most colorful bandits. Hornitos is located in the S.W. part of Mariposa County. The county was the largest in California during the Gold Rush period (1849).Erected 1954 by Town of Hornitos and E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 37° 30.064′ N, 120° 14.284′ W. Marker is in Hornitos, California, in Mariposa County. Marker is at the intersection of Mechanic Street and Bear Valley Road (Road J16), on the right when traveling west on Mechanic Street. The main street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hornitos Masonic Hall No. 98 (a few steps from this marker); Hornitos Masonic Hall (a few steps from this marker); Old Wells Fargo Office (within shouting distance of this marker); D. Ghirardelli & Co. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Hornitos (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Hornitos (about 600 feet away); St. Catherine Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cavagnaro General Store (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hornitos.
More about this marker. Mechanic Street is less than a block long and runs between High St. and Bear Valley Rd. Visible on Street View.
Regarding Hornitos. The jail dates from around 1849, before Hornitos was named - originally settled by Mexicans and native Californian descendants of Mexican settlers. The building itself is constructed of schist granite quarried from the nearby hills. There is a story of a Chinese miner called John that was murdered in the jail cell in the 1860's.
Photographed By Lester Leston, October 8, 2010
2. Hornitos Marker
Also see . . . Hornitos. Includes the story of the murder of John the Chinese miner. (Submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California.)
Photographed By Lester Leston, October 8, 2010
3. Hornitos Wall and Marker
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 8, 2010
4. ECV Plaque
The Hornitos Calabozo's
Welcome to the 1854 Brethren
"Credo Quia Absurdum"
Dedicated May 9, 1954
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 8, 2010
5. The Hornitos Jail and ECV Plaque
Shown above the door to the single jail cell. The plaque was placed by the Yerba Buena Chapter of E Clampus Vitus to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hornitos and to pay homage to the original Clampers of the 1850's by the revived Clampers of the 1950's
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 8, 2010
6. Rear of the Hornitos Jail
Photographed By State of California photographer, circa abt 1947
7. The Hornitos Jail before Restoration
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 8, 2010
8. Ghirardelli Ruins
In 1858 D. Ghirardelli of the San Francisco Gharardelli Chocolate and Cocoa Company operated a store here. The ruins are preserved in arrested decay.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
9. St. Catherine's Catholic Church
Church dates from about 1865. Ther rock butresses were added when the church was restored in the 1930's. The cemetery sits behind the church.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
10. Hornitos Masonic Hall
Originally built in Quartzburg in 1855, it was purchased by the Hornitos Masons in 1873.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,093 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on December 28, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2011, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 10, 2011, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
