Merced in Merced County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
John Haney Rogers
California's Unsung Hero
| — | 1822 - 1906 | — |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. John Rogers Marker
John Rogers was a member of the Death Valley wagon train. Rather than spending a winter near Salt Lake City, a wagon train was formed to go a southern route to Los Angeles. Many choose to take a supposed short cut across the desert. Among them were John Rogers, his friend William Manly, and the Arcan and Bennett families. Water sources became scarce and food supplies ran low. In December of 1849 they descended into a deep valley, now known as Death Valley. The Arcan and Bennett families had children with them and when they camped at the base of the Panamint Mountains they could go no further because of lack of supplies. Rogers and Manly were given the task of finding civilization and bringing back supplies to save the two families. They walked over 250 miles to Rancho San Francisquito and came back with the needed provisions. Then with the Arcan and Bennett families they walked back to civilization. This feat is still considered one of the most heroic deeds in the history of California.
Erected 2007 by Death Valley 49ers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration
this page online
Location. 37° 17.501′ N, 120° 28.21′ W. Marker is in Merced, California, in Merced County. It is on B Street north of Childs Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in Merced Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 B St, Merced CA 95341, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley and specifically in the Central Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on 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 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Merced Assembly Center (approx. 0.8 miles away); Merced Army Airfield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Merced County Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Merced County Courthouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); A Comrade’s Tribute to Brig. Gen. Frederick W. Castle A.A.F.
courtesy Death Valley 49ers, 2007
2. John Rogers Marker Unveiling
Regarding John Haney Rogers. The Arcan family name is often misspelled Arcane. This marker is a rare example with correct spelling. However, the San Francisquito Rancho near Los Angeles was actually called the Rancho San Francisco.
To learn more, read the book DEATH VALLEY IN ‘49 by William Lewis Manly, edited and annotated by Leroy and Jean Johnson in 2001.
Describing their arrival at the Rancho in the Santa Clarita Valley, Manly wrote: "There before us was a beautiful meadow of a thousand acres, green as a thick carpet of grass could make it, and shaded with oaks, wide-branching and symmetrical, equal to those of an old English park; while all over a herd of cattle numbering many hundreds, if not thousands ... were calmly laying down in happy rumination ... Such a scene of abundance and rich plenty and comfort bursting thus upon our eyes, which for months had seen only the desolation of the
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Merced Cemetery
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Bennett-Arcan Long Camp in Death Valley.
Additional keywords. Death Valley 49ers, 49ers
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
