THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE
ORDER OF

E Clampus Vitus

 MATUCA Chapter 1849

Name of Plaque: Bear Valley

Location of Plaque, Highway / Road No., City and County Highway 49 at Utah St, Bear Valley, Mariposa County

Explain the Design of the Plaque and Base Black granite plaque mounted on a slate and rock base.

Date of Dedication Dedicated April 20, 1985, Re-dedicated March 28, 1998

Name of Dedicating Humbug 1998 NGH Tom Thompkins , E Clampus Vitus – Matuca Chapter 1849

 



Exact Wording of Plaque

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 THORN, NO LONGER STANDS. AFTER FINE IN 1888, STRUCTURES WERE REBUILT. SOME STILL STANDING ARE, BON TON SALOON, TRABUCCO STORE, ODD FELLOWS HALL, SCHOOL HOUSE AND REMAINS OF JAIL, ALL REMINDERS OF BEAR VALLEY’S COLORFUL PAST.
DEDICATED APRIL 20, 1985
MATUCA CHAPTER 1849 E CLAMPUS VITUS
Exact Wording of Plaque added to rear of monument when re-dedicated

RE-DEDICATED BY MATUCA CHAPTER 1849 E CLAMPUS VITUS
MARCH 28, 1998 (6003)
CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM

State of California
Department of Parks and Recreation
Office of Historical Preservation
Submitted by Skip Skyrud, Historian - ECV Matuca Chapter 1849
 

Revision Update by Shatoewe: January 29, 2008.