Historical Marker · No. 670
Mariposa County Courthouse
Mariposa, Mariposa County · California
Erected by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Mariposa County Bicentennial, 1976
The county built its courthouse on ground it did not own. The site belonged to Fremont, part of the Las Mariposas grant, and he deeded it over after the building was up. Fox and Shriver put it together in 1854 out of local pine, mortise and tenon, for a bid of nine thousand dollars. The clock came from England in 1866 and still strikes. What made the building matter was argued inside it: Biddle Boggs against the Merced Mining Company, a case about whether a land grant carried the gold under it.
What the plaque says
Mariposa County Courthouse This mortise and tenon Greek Revival courthouse, erected in 1854, is California's oldest court of law and has served continuously as the seat of county government since 1854. During the 19th century landmark mining cases setting legal precedent were tried here, and much United States mining law is based on decisions emanating from this historic courthouse. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 670 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Mariposa County Bicentennial, July 3, 1976.
Where it stands
37.48880, -119.96720 · Directions
More markers nearby
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