On Bear Valley Road (County Road J16), on the right when traveling south.
Started in 1850 by outcast Mexicans from nearby Quartzburg and given the name Hornitos, meaning “little ovens”, from the dome like rock and mud bake-ovens being used here by some Germans.
The whites soon gained predominance, the population . . . — — Map (db m46904) HM
On Mechanic Street at Bear Valley Road (Road J16), on the right when traveling west on Mechanic Street.
Welcome to one of the most famous ghost towns of the 1800's. Hornitos is Spanish for "Little Ovens". It got its name from the above ground graves that were shaped like little cooking ovens used in Mexico. During this time, population was about . . . — — Map (db m163538) HM
On Bear Valley Road at Low Street, on the left when traveling north on Bear Valley Road.
Hornitos, or Hornitas, as it was called in the old days, was established in 1852 when Quartzburg would not allow gambling and other related past times in town. Many Mexican miners left and came downstream and formed Hornitos. This site was on the . . . — — Map (db m301076) HM
On High Street near St. Catherine Street, on the left when traveling south.
Historic Jail Museum • History of 1849 • Relics
Gold Rush Day Displays
One of the Nations Most Famous Ghost Towns early population 15,000. Here was the first Wells Fargo Express Office in county. $40000 in gold sent to Mint daily by armed . . . — — Map (db m46936) HM
On Bear Valley Road (County Road J16) at High Street, on the right when traveling south on Bear Valley Road.
This building was constructed C. 1855 of native schist rock. It was purchased in August 1873 by the Freemasons of Hornitos Lodge No. 98, and since early 1875, continue to meet here. The Lodge was originally chartered as Quartzburg Lodge No. 98 on . . . — — Map (db m46900) HM
On Bear Valley Road (County Road J16) at High Street, on the right when traveling south on Bear Valley Road.
This restored Masonic Hall is recognized for the significant community involvement of its members from 1873 to 1930. The Freemasons owned stores and hotels, served as town and county officials, worked as miners and engineers and supported Hornitos . . . — — Map (db m46899) HM
On Indian Gulch Extension 0.2 miles south of Indian Gulch Road, on the right when traveling south.
Indian Gulch was one of the earliest settlements in Mariposa County. Originally called Santa Cruz. The town adapted the new name when the post office opened as another Santa Cruz already existed. James Morton was the first postmaster. During its . . . — — Map (db m38671) HM
On Bear Valley Road, on the right when traveling south.
This adobe building was built on the plaza, east of the Pacific Saloon, In 1855, S.G. Brownfield with several partners operated a store here and in 1860 J.A. Mallon became the proprietor. A fire in 1868 damaged the store and after another fire in . . . — — Map (db m298251) HM
On St. Catherine Street 0.3 miles east of High Street, on the right when traveling east.
St. Catherine Church was built during the 1860’s probably in 1865. Before the church was built, priests came from Stockton to say Mass for the people of Hornitos. Priests from Sonora and Mariposa came for Mass after the church was built. In the . . . — — Map (db m183735) HM
