Firebaugh in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Andrew Davidson Firebaugh
Firebaugh's Ferry
Photographed By Lester J Letson, June 2006
1. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh Marker
Inscription.
Andrew Davidson Firebaugh was born in Virginia in 1823. He served with the Texas Mounted Riflemen in the Mexican War. Coming to California in 1849, he fought in the Mariposa Indian War under Major James D. Savage on the expedition that discovered Yosemite in 1854. He established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River one quarter mile due north of here. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass. In 1872 he was one of the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road.
Andrew Davidson Firebaugh was born in Virginia in 1823. He served with the Texas Mounted Riflemen in the Mexican War. Coming to California in 1849, he fought in the Mariposa Indian War under Major James D. Savage on the expedition that discovered Yosemite in 1854. He established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River one quarter mile due north of here. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass. In 1872 he was one of the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road.
Erected 1968 by Jim Savage Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 10.)
Location. 36° 51.367′ N, 120° 26.983′ W. Marker is in Firebaugh, California, in Fresno County. Marker is at the intersection of Q Street and 15th Street, on the left when traveling south on Q Street. The marker is located
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at Dunkle Park. 15th Street East deadends less than a block from the San Joaquin River near where Firebaugh's Ferry was located. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1510 Q Street, Firebaugh CA 93622, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dairyland School (approx. 13.6 miles away).
More about this marker. The town of Firebaugh is named for Andrew Davidson Firebaugh. The settlement was first called Firebaugh's Ferry as buildings sprang up around the original ferry location.
Regarding Andrew Davidson Firebaugh. Andrew Firebaugh is buried in the foothills on his homestead less than a mile from Humphreys Station and about 10 miles above the pioneer town of Academy, named for The Academy that he helped to found.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, June 2006
2. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh Marker
Granite plaque is mounted on an even larger slab of granite and set into a base of concrete.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, Feb 2010
3. Dunkle Park - Location of Marker
The monument as seen from Q Street near the intersection with 15th Street
circa 1863
4. Andrew Davidson Firebaugh
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 3,072 times since then and 94 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2023, by Ronald D. (Ron) Trigueiro of Fresno, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 24, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.