John Charles Fremont

John Charles Fremont was a naturalist, explorer, scientist, and captain with the U.S. Topographical Engineers on his third expedition to the West when he camped on this mountain. His assignment was to survey, map, chart trails, and find the shortest route between the East and the West for the U.S. government. Besides his military activities in California, Fremont is remembered for giving San Francisco’s Golden Gate its name; serving as the military governor of California for 50 days; winning the Republican nomination for the presidency; serving as a major general in the Civil War; and serving as territorial governor of Arizona. Fremont’s friends called him “the west’s greatest adventurer,” “a man unafraid,” “The Pathfinder,” and “The Pathmaker of the West.”

California · United States