Mariposa in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mariposa Restaurant
Photographed by Liam Williams, April 27, 2026
1. Mariposa Restaurant Marker
The restaurant and home, which changed owners frequently, were destroyed by the fire of 1866. Georgiana Adams, the owner at the time, rebuilt her home and then rented rooms and provided good meals. Tragedy struck again when fire burned the whole block in 1884. With help from the community, Adams rebuilt her home once more. She and her daughter, Ophelia, left Mariposa in 1892, moving to Sonora to open a restaurant.
In 1894 Frank S. Clow, who spent time in San Quentin prison for murder, constructed a new building on this site that served as his carpentry shop and later became El Capitan Saloon. In 1907 he was arrested for attempted murder and later moved away. In 1911 Lee Gin converted the saloon into the People's Restaurant. Then in 1924 it became Barker's Short Order House which changed to the Wig Wam in 1928.
With the expansion of the Yosemite Highway in 1936, the name changed to The 49er. Since then, the building has served as a bar, restaurant and gift shop.
Erected 2017 by Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters
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Location. 37° 29.081′ N, 119° 57.904′ W. Marker is in Mariposa, California, in Mariposa County. It is on California Route 140 north of 5th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5026 CA-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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: California Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles (a few steps from this marker); John Trabucco Building (a few steps from this marker); Mariposa Bakery (a few steps from this marker); Bogan & Company (a few steps from this marker); Mariposa Meat Market (a few steps from this marker); Capital Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Gishel Hotel and Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariposa Independent Order Odd Fellows Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mariposa.
Photographed by Liam Williams, April 26, 2026
2. Mariposa Restaurant Marker
The ground in front of the doors reads "49er", the name of a previous tenant.
Photographed by Liam Williams, April 26, 2026
3. Site of the former Mariposa Restaurant
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
