Fremont’s Fort

General John C. Fremont, 1813-1890, was a noted military man, explorer, topographer, senator, businessman, and miner who settled in Mariposa County just outside Bear Valley. He operated the Josephine, Pine Tree, and Princeton mines and other claims. In 1858 he returned from his travels to operate his mines and found many had been “jumped.” As he took them back, a feud developed with several groups, including the “Hornitas League,” which tried to seize one of his mines. After that incident, a fort was built to defend the “only” access to the mines. Afterward his battles were in the courtroom.

California · United States