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

The Challenge Saloon

Photographed by Liam Williams, April 26, 2026

1. The Challenge Saloon Marker

Inscription. In 1857 Pierre Van Bever purchased the lot on this corner and constructed a large brick building. This became the Challenge Saloon. In 1866 the building, like many others in Mariposa, was destroyed by fire. It lay in ruin for years.

With the completion of the new road from Merced to Mariposa in 1915 Schlageter and Brown built Fort Sumpter Garage here. After many owners, Ernest Womack sold the property to the Bank of America in 1957. Between 1979 and 1992 several other banks in succession bought the building. In 1992 Nancy Radanovich bought the property for a clothing store and called it "The Vault."

Erected 2020 by Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 37° 29.051′ N, 119° 57.875′ W. Marker is in Mariposa, California, in Mariposa County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 140 (California Route 140) and 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 140. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5016 State Highway 140, Mariposa CA 95338, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Gold Country

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: Schlageter Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Simon Wormser's Hardware Store (a few steps from this marker); Fremont Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); John Trabucco Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariposa Meat Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariposa Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Bogan & Company (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mariposa.

Former Challenge Saloon site and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Liam Williams, April 26, 2026

2. Former Challenge Saloon site and marker

Marker is visible above the mailbox, to the right of the rightmost door.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.