Firebaugh in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Andrew Davidson Firebaugh

Firebaugh's Ferry

Photographed by Lester J Letson, June 2006

1. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh Marker

Inscription. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh was born in Virginia in 1823. He served with the Texas Mounted Riflemen in the Mexican War. Coming to California in 1849, he fought in the Mariposa Indian War under Major James D. Savage on the expedition that discovered Yosemite in 1854. He established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River one quarter mile due north of here. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass. In 1872 he was one of the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road.

Erected 1968 by Jim Savage Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 17, 1878.

Location. 36° 51.367′ N, 120° 26.983′ W. Marker is in Firebaugh, California, in Fresno County. It is at the intersection of Q Street and 15th Street, on the left when traveling south on Q Street. The marker is located

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at Dunkle Park. 15th Street East deadends less than a block from the San Joaquin River near where Firebaugh's Ferry was located. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1510 Q Street, Firebaugh CA 93622, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dairyland School (approx. 13.6 miles away).

More about this marker. The town of Firebaugh is named for Andrew Davidson Firebaugh. The settlement was first called Firebaugh's Ferry as buildings sprang up around the original ferry location.

Regarding Andrew Davidson Firebaugh. Andrew Firebaugh is buried in the foothills on his homestead less than a mile from Humphreys Station and about 10 miles above the pioneer town of Academy, named for The Academy that he helped to found.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, June 2006

2. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh Marker

Granite plaque is mounted on an even larger slab of granite and set into a base of concrete.

Dunkle Park - Location of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, Feb 2010

3. Dunkle Park - Location of Marker

The monument as seen from Q Street near the intersection with 15th Street

Andrew Davidson Firebaugh image. Click for full size.

circa 1863

4. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 4,108 times since then and 134 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2023, by Ronald D. (Ron) Trigueiro of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 24, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.