Mariposa in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mariposa Museum and History Center
Golden Key Mine Stamp Mill
Mariposa Gazette Building, Counts House
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
1. Mariposa Museum and History Center Marker
The first meeting of the Mariposa County Historical Society was held April 14, 1957. In 1958 the museum was established at the Historic Masonic Lodge located nearby.In December 1969, Judge Thomas and Katherine Coakley donated the land to Mariposa County Historical Society.
In 1972 the museum's collection was moved to this site. Outdoor exhibits include,
The five stamp mill from the Golden Key Mine crushed gold bearing ore in the Whitlock Mining District until 1953.
The Counts House was built in 1863 by Augustus Shriver and was purchased by County Treasurer George Counts in 1872.
The Gazette Building served as both the “Sons of Temperance" Hall and Mensing's Saloon. In 1875 it then became the home of the Mariposa Gazette newspaper and was donated by the Campbell family in 1991. Some of the original type and presses are on display and still used to print specialty Items.
Matuca Chapter 1849
E Clampus Vitus
April 7, 2007 (6012)
In memory of 1960 Matuca Humbug Tom Coakley
Credo Quia Absurdum
Erected
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
2. Mariposa Museum and History Center Marker
Marker sits to the right of the entrance to the museum. A stamp mill cog is built into the base of the monument. The monument is surrounded by various old pieces of mining gear.
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1957.
Location. 37° 29.367′ N, 119° 58.25′ W. Marker is in Mariposa, California, in Mariposa County. Marker is at the intersection of Jessie Street and 12th Street, on the left when traveling north on Jessie Street. One block west of Highway 49 at 12th Street in downtown Mariposa. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5119 Jessie Street, Mariposa CA 95338, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Shrine to Justice in California (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mariposa County Court House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mariposa County Court House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mariposa County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mariposa Independent Order Odd Fellows Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mariposa Meat Market (approx. half a mile away); John Trabucco Building (approx. half a mile away); Capital Saloon (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mariposa.
More about this marker. Museum grounds include the Gazette Building, the Counts House and the 1800's stamp mill.
In 1979 the Holy Cross Catholic Church building was moved here from Indian Gulch. It was distroyed in a fire in the 1980's.
A large buckboard wagon and a logging wagon (with a massive log on it) sit in a small park between Jessie and Highway 49 directly in front of the museum and can be seen from Highway 49.
Regarding Mariposa Museum and History Center. Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Site of Holy Cross
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
3. Golden Key Mine Stamp Mill
View is of the stamp mill from the second story of the museum.
Also see . . . Mariposa Museum and History Center. The museum's website. (Submitted on December 3, 2010.)
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
4. Rock Fence
After the Gold Rush many Chinese were employed at 25’ per day clearing fields and using the rocks to build fences. These rocks are from a fence on the Walter Palmer Ranch in Cathey's Valley. Rebuilding on this site was done by youth from the nearby C.Y.A. Camp, under the direction of James Hibpsham.
(C.Y.A. is the California Youth Authority)
(C.Y.A. is the California Youth Authority)
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
5. Mariposa Gazette building
The Gazette building is still being restored at this time.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
6. The Counts House
Originally built in 1863, it was donated and moved here in the 1970's
Photographed By Mia Kostouros, June 5, 2011
7. Count's House
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
8. Golden Key Mine Stamp Mill
View is of the stamp mill from the back where the conveyor belt carried ore up to the hopper.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
9. Golden Key Mine Stamp Mill
View is from behind stamp mill showing the canvas belt and wooden gear.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
10. Golden Key Mine Stamp Mill
View from the front showing the 5 massive stamps. A demonstration run of the stamp mill on this date turned 150 pounds of granite and quartz ore into a muddy silt, finer than sand in just a few minutes.
Photographed By Mia Kostouros, June 5, 2011
11. Mariposa Gazette
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
12. Gold Mine Ore Car
Donated in memory of Harry Odgers, all 3 of them who were essential in getting the stamp mill errected and in working order.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
13. Rock Crusher
This rock crusher sits to the back of the conveyor leading to the stamp mill
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1920
14. Mariposa
Street scene from downtown Mariposa in the 1920's.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, October 9, 2010
15. Copper Distiller
Sitting among mining tools and implements outside the museum is this copper distiller....unknown if was it used for mining purposes, or for other purposes.
Photographed By Unknown
16. Holy Cross Catholic Church
The Holy Cross Catholic Church served the town of Indian Gulch until the town members drifted away. An attempt was made to save the church and it was moved to the Mariposa Museum and History Center in 1973. A fire in the 1980s destroyed the church that so many had tried to save.
Photographed By Mia Kostouros, June 5, 2011
17. Mariposa Museum - Rocker
Used for washing gold bearing gravel.
Photographed By Mia Kostouros, June 5, 2011
18. Bell
This bell hung in the belfrey of the once Presbyterian Church in Mariposa until the church closed in the 1930's
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 3, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 7. submitted on June 24, 2014, by Mia Kostouros of Los Banos, California. 8, 9, 10. submitted on December 3, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 11. submitted on June 22, 2014, by Mia Kostouros of Los Banos, California. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on December 3, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 17, 18. submitted on June 22, 2014, by Mia Kostouros of Los Banos, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
