Mariposa County : Home of Yose - Index

Mariposa County : Home of Yose - Mariposa County - Home of Yosemite :: Visitor Guide and Business Directory - Index

12
Mariposa Area Communities
BEAR VALLEY
Known through history as
Haydensville, Biddleville,
Simpsonville and Johnsonville, the
name changed along with the activity
in the mines and on the ranches.
Part of Col. John C. Fremont's Las
Mariposas Mexican land grant, Bear
Valley became the home for the Col.
and Jessie Fremont for the period of
eighteen months. It was also near
two of the grant's most significant
mines: the Pine Tree and Josephine
were located just north of town and
produced upwards of 4 million in
gold bullion. Located on Hwy 49
North, the Golden Chain Highway, a
number of historic buildings and
relics of the past interest visitors.
BOOTJACK/LUSHMEAD-
OWS/PONDEROSA BASIN/
MARIPOSA PINES
This area east of the town of
Mariposa, and accessed by Hwy 49S
or Triangle Road off Hwy 140 on the
north, is a large basin primarily populated
with rural homes with occasional
sets of commercial establishment
common to the country setting.
Small county stores and very good
restaurants are scattered near the
main roads. Subdivisions developed
during the l970's are made of large
parcels. A few large ranches still
exist with livestock raising and wine
grape growing. Family gardens are a
big part of the rural life with some
participating in local Farmers
Markets.
CATHEYS VALLEY
Located along State Highway
140, halfway between Merced and
Mariposa, this community has
always been the heart of a broad
ranching area. Today mostly cattle
range the pasture, but in the past
many goats, hogs, horses and mules
were raised in the area. Small gardens
raised fresh vegetables for the
mining communities a few miles distant.
Catheys Valley continues the
ranching tradition interspersed with
areas of modern homes on small
ranchettes. Always a close community,
many events center on family,
school, 4H, roping, barrel racing, and
other traditional events of ranching
life. Back roads are fun to drive or
bicycle, and are not crowded. Stop,
and listen to the sounds of country.
HORNITOS
Mexican miners who built around
a well on a square began a real Wild
West town during the Gold Rush -
Hornitos. Many of the original buildings
still survive.
A visit to Hornitos is truly a step
back into the l9th century. Famed
bandit Joaquin Murrieta, as well as
President U.S. Grant, stayed.
Murrieta came for the Fandango and
to break his gang out of jail, while
Grant visited and stayed at the longgone
Hornitos Hotel. Hornitos has
many proud historic sites including
St. Catherine's Church and
Continued on page 13
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