Bear Valley

A floating grant had no fixed boundaries. Alvarado's ten leagues could sit anywhere between the San Joaquin, the Chowchilla, the Merced and the Sierra, and in 1847 a consul bought it for Fremont for $3,000 against his written instructions. When gold turned up, Fremont floated the boundaries onto the quartz belt, taking in mines other men were already working. The stone says the Supreme Court settled it in 1859. It confirmed his title in March 1855 and patented 44,386 acres in 1856; 1859 was the year the state court reversed itself over Mount Ophir.

What the plaque says

Bear Valley Headquarters of Col. John C. Fremont, world-famous American, who, in 1847, purchased a floating Mexican grant of 44,000 acres for $3000. After gold was discovered, he floated his grant to include the Mother Lode gold belt from Mariposa to Merced River. After costly litigation, his title was confirmed by Supreme Court in 1859. He worked his rich placers by grubstaking experienced Mexican miners before the influx of Americans and subsequently he opened up rich quartz mines, in 1851. He built a two story hotel and later a large store and his home, called "The White House". Horace Greeley visited here in 1859 and wrote "The colonel is now operating two stamp mills and netting $100,000 a year." In 1863, he sold his grant for $6,000,000. Bear Valley First called Johnsonville, Bear Valley had a population of 3,000 including Chinese, Cornish and Mexicans during 1850-60 when Col. John C Fremont's Pine Tree and Josephine mines were producing. Fremont's elegant hotel "Oso House", built with lumber brought around the horn, no longer stands. After fire in 1888, structures were rebuilt. Some still standing are Bon Ton Saloon, Trabucco Store, Odd Fellows Hall, school house & remains of jail, all reminders of Bear Valley's colorful past. Dedicated April 20, 1985 Matuca Chapter 1849 E Clampus Vitus

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Hornitos — 8.0 mi
• Agua Fria — 8.5 mi
• Mariposa County Courthouse — 10.0 mi
• Coulterville — 11 mi