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

Mormon Bar

By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2011

1. Mormon Bar Marker

Inscription. In 1849, a group of Mormons established a tent encampment near here while searching for land to farm. After an influx of gold miners the Mormons moved on. Next came thousands of Chinese miners, merchants and farmers. Mormon Bar became the largest Chinese community in Mariposa County boasting a hotel, blacksmith shop, stores and gambling dens. Mormon Bar 1860 election returns reported the secession candidates defeated the union candidates 21 to 17. In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln received 11 votes in the Mormon precinct. Mormon Bar was an important stagecoach stop for travelers to and from Yosemite. Granite used in building the Mariposa jail was quarried near here. Archaeological evidence shows that Native Americans lived in the area long before the Mormons arrived.

Erected 2003 by E Clampus Vitus, Matuca Chapter No. 1849.

Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.

Location. 37° 27.805′ N, 119° 56.869′ W. Marker is near Mariposa, California, in Mariposa County. Marker is on Fairgrounds Road east of California Highway 49, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5035 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa CA 95338, United States of America.

Other nearby markers.

By Barry Swackhamer

2. Mormon Bar Marker

At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. California State Mining and Mineral Museum (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named St. Joseph's Catholic Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Mariposa County’s Old Stone Jail (approx. 1.7 miles away); Schlageter Hotel (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fremont Adobe (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mariposa Independent Order Odd Fellows Hall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mariposa County Courthouse (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mariposa.

Categories. • Settlements & Settlers •

By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2011

3. Mormon Bar Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 23, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.