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

Bear Valley

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, February 13, 2008

1. Bear Valley Marker

Inscription. Headquarters of Col. John C. Fremont, world-famous American, who, in 1847, purchased a floating Mexican grant of 44,000 acres for $3000. After gold was discovered, he floated his grant to include the Mother Lode gold belt from Mariposa to Merced River. After costly litigation, his title was confirmed by Supreme Court in 1859.

He worked his rich placers by grubstaking experienced Mexican miners before the influx of Americans and subsequently he opened up rich quartz mines, in 1851. He built a two story hotel and later a large store and his home, called "The White House". Horace Greeley visited here in 1859 and wrote "The colonel is now operating two stamp mills and netting $100,000 a year". In 1863, he sold his grant for $6,000,000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 37° 34.123′ N, 120° 7.132′ W. Marker is in Bear Valley, California, in Mariposa County. It is on State Highway 49 south of Bear Valley Road, on the left when traveling south. 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. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Bear Valley (here, next to this marker); Mrs. E. Trabucco Store

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(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gertrude School (approx. ¼ mile away); Fremont’s Fort (approx. 1.4 miles away); May Rock (approx. 2 miles away); Bagby (approx. 3 miles away); Mount Ophir Mine (approx. 4.7 miles away); La Mineta 1850 - Princeton 1854 - Mount Bullion 1862 (approx. 5.9 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. 4.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, February 13, 2008

2. Bear Valley Marker

View is easterly.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 1,912 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.