Name of Plaque, Haigh Ranch, Peñon Blanco Town Site
Location of Plaque, Highway / Road No., City and County Mariposa check in, on Hwy 49 North of Coulterville and South of Hwy 120 in Mariposa County
Explain the Design of the Plaque and Base Black granite plaque mounted on a monument made of local rocks.
Date of Dedication April 4, 2009
Name of Dedicating Humbug NGH Eddy Pendergrass, ECV Matuca Chapter 1849
Exact Wording of Plaque
In 1849, Peñon Blanco was a Mexican and Chilean gold mining camp until Foreign
Miners Tax of 1852 caused the camp to be abandoned. In 1855, George Bell and
Mary Haigh opened a store in Peñon Blanco and reportedly sold supplies to
Joaquin Murietta’s gang. In 1864 the purchased the surrounding land that
remained in the family for six generations. Their son John Haigh married Eugenia
Bruschi and they operated a freight company. Alan Ward Haigh expanded the ranch
and cattle operations. The nearby Oro Rico mine operated a 20 stamp mill and in
1866 became the first mine in California to apply for a patented mining claim.
In 1869 John Muir traveled through Peñon Blanco and the Haigh Ranch. Alan G.
Haigh is the present-day owner and operator of the ranch.
Dedicated by Matuca Chapter E Clampus Vitus April 4, 2009 (6014) Credo Quia
Absurdum