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

Fremont’s Fort

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, February 13, 2008

1. Fremont's Fort Marker

Inscription. General John C. Fremont, 1813-1890. A noted military man, explorer, topographer, senator & businessman, Fremont was also a miner. He settled in Mariposa County living just outside Bear Valley.

He operated the Josephine, Pine Tree & Princeton mines and other claims. In 1858 he returned from his travels to operate his mines and found many had been “jumped.” In taking them back a feud developed with several groups, one being the “Hornitas League” which tried to seize one of his mines. After that incident a fort was built to defend the “only” access to the mines.

Afterward his battles were in the courtroom.

Erected 1994 by Matuca Chapter 1849 E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 5999.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 37° 35.284′ N, 120° 7.468′ W. Marker is near Bear Valley, California, in Mariposa County. It is on State Highway 49, on the right when traveling south. The marker is 42.7 miles from downtown Sonora (intersection of North Washington St and Stockton Rd). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mrs. E. Trabucco Store (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bear Valley (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Bear Valley (approx. 1.4 miles away); Gertrude School (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bagby (approx. 1.6 miles away); May Rock (approx. 3.3 miles away); Mount Ophir Mine (approx. 6 miles away); La Mineta 1850 - Princeton 1854 - Mount Bullion 1862 (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear Valley.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mount Ophir Mines (was approx. 6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Good turnout and marker is in excellent shape.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, February 13, 2008

2. Fremont's Fort Marker

Marker is in distance. View is northerly. Highway 49 is to the right. Bear Valley is approximately 2 miles south. Bagby, on the Merced River, is approximately 2 miles north. The Merced River canyon is in distance behind marker.

View from Fremont’s Fort Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

3. View from Fremont’s Fort Marker

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

4. View from Fremont’s Fort Marker

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

5. View from Fremont’s Fort Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 4,689 times since then and 138 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 25, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 13, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.