Agua Fria

The bronze says Mariposa County was one sixth of California when the county seat stood here. All or part of Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern came out of it, and what is left is a county you can drive across in an afternoon. Agua Fria held the government for twenty months, from February 1850 to November 1851, with about a dozen stores, faro tables, a billiard room and a bowling alley. Mariposa took the seat in 1852. A fire in June 1866 took the rest, and nobody rebuilt.

What the plaque says

Agua Fria One fourth mile north of Carson Creek, tributary of Agua Fria, was located Agua Fria, first county seat of Mariposa County in 1850-1851 one of original 27 counties in California. Until 1852, while mining was main industry of region, Mariposa County comprised 1/6 of state and included all of what is now Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties. Town of Mariposa became seat of government in 1852 & the courthouse was completed in 1854. Plaque erected May 16 1954 by Mariposa Parlor No. 63 Native Daughters of the Golden West Registered Landmark No. 518 California State Park Commission Agua Fria Discovered by Sonoran miners in the early summer of 1849. It was located about a quarter mile above the two springs of cold water from which the town derived its name. Agua Fria was the first county seat from Feb. 18, 1850 to Nov. 10, 1851. During this time the town consisted of about a dozen stores, three card monte, faro tables, a billiard room, hotel and bowling alley. The town of Agua Fria soon declined, when in 1852 the town of Mariposa became the seat of government. On June 22, 1866 a fire broke out which destroyed the entire town and it was never rebuilt. Dedicated by Matuca Chapter 1849 E Clampus Vitus April 1, 2000 (6005) Credo Quia Absurdum

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Mariposa County Courthouse — 2.4 mi
• Mormon Bar — 3.7 mi
• Bear Valley — 8.5 mi
• Hornitos — 13 mi