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Mariposa, California

Coordinates: 37°29′06″N 119°57′59″W / 37.48500°N 119.96639°W / 37.48500; -119.96639
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Not to be confused with Maricopa, California.

Mariposa
Census-designated place
Dusk in downtown Mariposa
Dusk in downtown Mariposa
Location in Mariposa County and the state of California
Location in Mariposa County and the state of California
Mariposa is located in California
Mariposa
Mariposa
Mariposa is located in the United States
Mariposa
Mariposa
Coordinates: 37°29′06″N 119°57′59″W / 37.48500°N 119.96639°W / 37.48500; -119.96639
Country United States
State California
County Mariposa
Area
[1]
 • Total
4.040 sq mi (10.46 km2)
 • Land4.037 sq mi (10.46 km2)
 • Water0.003 sq mi (0.008 km2)  0.07%
Elevation
[2]
1,949 ft (594 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
1,526
 • Density378.0/sq mi (145.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
95338
Area code209
FIPS code06-45932
GNIS feature IDs1659063,[4] 2408181[5]

Mariposa (/ˌmærɪˈpoʊzə, -sə/ ⓘ;[6] Spanish for "Butterfly") is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Mariposa County, California, United States.[7] The population was 1,526 at the 2020 census.[3] The community is named after the flocks of monarch butterflies seen overwintering there by early explorers.

Geography

[edit]
Historic Spanish Colonial Revival style Mariposa County High School, built in 1914.

Mariposa is located at 37°29′06″N 119°57′59″W / 37.48500°N 119.96639°W / 37.48500; -119.96639,[2] at 1,949 feet (594 m) in elevation. It lies in the rugged foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Mariposa Creek flows through the town. The urban area's soil is mostly brown to reddish brown loam of the Blasingame series. A gravelly loam is mapped as the Boomer series.[citation needed] These soils support thick grassland plus trees such as blue oak, black oak, gray pine, and ponderosa pine. To the west-northwest of town is a large area of sparse vegetation and rockland on which is found serpentine soil of the Henneke series.

California State Routes 49 and 140 cross in Mariposa, merging for 0.8 miles (1.3 km) as the town's main street. Highway 49 leads southeast 27 miles (43 km) to end at Oakhurst and northwest the same distance to Coulterville. Highway 140 leads southwest 36 miles (58 km) to Merced in the San Joaquin Valley and northeast 42 miles (68 km) to Yosemite Valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.04 square miles (10.46 km2), all but 0.07% of it land.[1] The community lies in the valley of Mariposa Creek, which flows south and then southwest into the San Joaquin Valley.

Mariposa County includes much of Yosemite National Park, and a good deal of the local economy is related to the park and tourism. The two-story county courthouse, constructed in 1854, is the oldest in continuous use west of the Rockies.[citation needed] Tours are available.

The county lies at the southern end of the Mother Lode, and outsiders were attracted to Mariposa by gold. During the 19th century California Gold Rush, its streams were panned, and deep mines worked the underground veins. At one time, John C. Frémont lived here and owned claims to much of the mineral wealth of Mariposa. He later was the first United States senator from the state and the first Republican candidate for President.

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mariposa has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps) and wet winters.[8]

Climate data for Mariposa, 1991–2020 simulated normals (2142 ft elevation)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 56.8
(13.8) 		58.1
(14.5) 		62.1
(16.7) 		66.7
(19.3) 		76.5
(24.7) 		86.4
(30.2) 		93.9
(34.4) 		93.4
(34.1) 		87.8
(31.0) 		77.0
(25.0) 		64.8
(18.2) 		56.3
(13.5) 		73.3
(23.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 46.4
(8.0) 		47.7
(8.7) 		50.9
(10.5) 		54.5
(12.5) 		62.4
(16.9) 		70.9
(21.6) 		78.4
(25.8) 		77.7
(25.4) 		72.5
(22.5) 		63.0
(17.2) 		52.7
(11.5) 		46.0
(7.8) 		60.3
(15.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 36.1
(2.3) 		37.2
(2.9) 		39.9
(4.4) 		42.3
(5.7) 		48.6
(9.2) 		55.4
(13.0) 		63.0
(17.2) 		62.1
(16.7) 		57.2
(14.0) 		48.9
(9.4) 		40.8
(4.9) 		35.6
(2.0) 		47.3
(8.5)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 6.23
(158.12) 		5.18
(131.55) 		4.66
(118.24) 		2.42
(61.55) 		1.13
(28.73) 		0.31
(7.93) 		0.07
(1.82) 		0.03
(0.79) 		0.17
(4.24) 		1.62
(41.13) 		2.63
(66.91) 		5.41
(137.34) 		29.86
(758.35)
Average dew point °F (°C) 35.4
(1.9) 		37.9
(3.3) 		41.0
(5.0) 		41.9
(5.5) 		44.4
(6.9) 		46.0
(7.8) 		47.8
(8.8) 		45.5
(7.5) 		42.8
(6.0) 		39.7
(4.3) 		37.9
(3.3) 		34.5
(1.4) 		41.2
(5.1)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[9]

History

[edit]

Early Inhabitants and Spanish Naming

[edit]

Before Spanish arrival, the Southern Sierra Miwok lived in what is now Mariposa. In 1806, a Spanish priest traveling with early California explorer Gabriel Moraga named the area. When the expedition came upon a creek filled with thousands of yellow butterflies, they called it “Las Mariposas,” the Spanish word for butterflies.[10]

Mariposa County Courthouse

Rancho Las Mariposas

[edit]
Further information: Rancho Las Mariposas and John C. Frémont
Fremont’s Fort historical marker near Mariposa.

In 1847, John C. Frémont purchased a 70-square-mile land parcel known as Las Mariposas for $3,000.[11] Formerly owned by Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado, the ranch turned profitable once Frémont discovered a five-mile quartz vein producing hundreds of pounds of placer gold monthly. Its “floating grant” status, however, sparked extensive property and mineral-rights disputes. Squatters and mining companies contested ownership until 1856, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Frémont’s favor. The Mariposa Estate covered 44,000 acres in the heart of the Mother Lode region, where gold pockets in quartz veins could yield between $100 and $30,000. By 1915, total output surpassed $12 million in gold.[12][11]

Founding of Mariposa

[edit]

Mariposa’s rise as a gold rush boom town began along a seasonal trickle called Agua Fría, where prospectors—lured by tales of glimmering placer gold—pitched their first camp.[13][13] When floods and fires during the winter of 1849–1850 forced them to higher ground, they relocated near Mariposa Creek, establishing a bustling county seat by 1851. The historic courthouse, completed in 1854, still stands.

Mariposa War

[edit]
Further information: Mariposa War
Etching of Mariposa in 1860, it was used as the logo for Mariposa Gazette newspaper[14]
Etching of Mac' Dermont & Co building on Main Street, 1861[15]

During the early 1850s, tensions between local Native tribes—primarily the Southern Sierra Miwok—and white settlers peaked, prompting the Mariposa War.[16] The conflict stemmed largely from the presence of miners and the trading operations of James Savage along the Merced River and Mariposa Creek.[16] Alarmed by escalating violence, Mariposa residents formed volunteer militias. With state backing, these militias eventually secured control of the area.[16] Modern historians also consider the Mariposa War part of the California Genocide, and it indirectly led to the so-called “discovery” and naming of Yosemite Valley. By the late 19th century, many Miwok people had been forced from their ancestral lands.

Twentieth Century and Beyond

[edit]

In 1914, voters in Mariposa County narrowly approved the creation of a county high school. Following a bond measure of $12,000 and the donation of nearly eight acres of land by the Mariposa Commercial and Mining Company, the school’s permanent campus opened in 1917.[17]

During World War II, the U.S. Army constructed the Mariposa Auxiliary Field (1942–1945) to train pilots; post-war, the site was redeveloped as today’s Mariposa-Yosemite Airport.[18]

On July 18, 2017, the town was evacuated due to the rapidly spreading Detwiler Fire, which threatened Mariposa and its surroundings.[19]

Demographics

[edit]

2020

[edit]

In the 2020 census, the Mariposa Census County Division reported a total population of 12,981.[20] About 31.6% of residents have at least a bachelor's degree.[20] The community has a notably older demographic, with a median age of 55.6 years and 33.4% of the population aged 65 years or older. The area encompasses 5,489 households.[20] The median household income stands at $64,490, while the employment rate is relatively low at 43.3%. Health care coverage is quite widespread, with only 4.7% of the population going without it.[20]

In terms of racial demographics, Hispanic or Latino individuals constitute 1,568 residents, about 12% of the total population, which is significantly lower than the statewide average of nearly 40%.[20] American Indians account for 434 residents, representing approximately 3.34% of the population.[20] Veterans comprise 11.9% of the populace.[20]

Economically, 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.[20] The percentage of government workers in the workforce is remarkably high at 35.7% compared to the statewide average. The homeownership rate is high at 76.4%.[20]

Government and public safety

[edit]

Government representation

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Mariposa is in the 8th Senate District, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby, and in the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Joe Patterson.[21] The County is administered by its elected five-member County Board of Supervisors.

Policing and public safety

[edit]

The county's policing agency is the Mariposa County Sheriff and staff. The Mariposa County Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical aid.[22]

Attractions

[edit]

Mariposa Town Historic District

[edit]

The Mariposa Town Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, represents a significant part of California’s Gold Rush history.[23] The district includes sixty-three historic buildings, among the oldest in the state, reflecting the architectural styles of the era.[24] Key landmarks within the district include the Mariposa County Courthouse, constructed in 1854, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, completed in 1863, known for its Carpenter Gothic design.[25]

California State Mining and Mineral Museum

[edit]

The California State Mining and Mineral Museum, part of the state park system and located in Mariposa on the county fairgrounds, showcases California's mining history and mineral resources. The museum's collection, started in 1880 and originally managed by the first State Mineralogist Henry G. Hanks, includes over 13,000 items such as minerals, rocks, gems, and fossils, and highlights significant artifacts like the crystalline gold Fricot Nugget from the Gold Rush. It features interactive exhibits like a replica mine tunnel and a working stamp mill, illustrating the gold extraction process from quartz rock.[26]

Mariposa Museum and History Center

[edit]

Founded in 1957, the Mariposa Museum & History Center in Mariposa County features exhibits related to Native American culture, Spanish settlement, the Gold Rush, Yosemite, and Mariposa history. The museum also houses a significant archive, including photographs, special collections, and county records in its vault.[27]

Notable residents

[edit]

Some living past and present notable residents in alphabetical order include:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mariposa, California
  3. ^ a b "P1. Race – Mariposa CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mariposa
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mariposa Census Designated Place
  6. ^ "mariposa". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  7. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ Climate Summary for Mariposa, California
  9. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering (NACSE), based at Oregon State University. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "On Hold Narratives". Mariposa County. Mariposa County Government. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "STATES MINING INTERESTS Expert Writes of Possibilities Along The Mother Lode". Amador Ledger-Dispatch. December 17, 1915. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  12. ^ "Parcel of Large Fremont Grant Sold". Merced County Sun. Vol. XLI, no. 37. December 6, 1912. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 799. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  14. ^ "Mariposa Gazette 5 March 1861 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Mariposa Gazette 8 January 1861 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c Bunnell, Lafayette H. (1892). "Chapter I". Discovery of the Yosemite. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  17. ^ "History of the High School," Mariposa Gazette, Volume LXIII, Number 36, 26 January 1918. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  18. ^ militarymuseum.org Mariposa Auxiliary Field
  19. ^ "Evacuation of Mariposa ordered due to Detwiler Fire". KFSN-TV, Fresno. ABC 30 Action News. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mariposa CCD, Mariposa County, California - Census Bureau Profile". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  21. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  22. ^ website provided data for the two agencies
  23. ^ "National Register of Historic Places: Mariposa Town Historic District". NoeHill in San Francisco. NoeHill. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  24. ^ "California Office of Historic Preservation: Mariposa County". California State Parks. Office of Historic Preservation. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  25. ^ "Historical Sites in Mariposa County". Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce. Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  26. ^ "Influence of gold is still being felt in California". Lassen County Times. Vol. 17, no. 15. January 24, 1995. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  27. ^ "Visitors to California museum can mine both gold and history". Press Dispatch (Victorville). April 6, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "Jon Leicester Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
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