The town of Mariposa, first settled in 1849, is the southernmost in the Gold Rush chain of towns.

In your travels through Mariposa, you might hear it referred to as the -Mother of Counties-. When California was granted statehood in 1850, Mariposa County was by far the largest county, comprising about one-fifth of the state.

With Yosemite National Park in Mariposas backyard(Approx 43 miles, 1 hr 15 min), tourism played a role as far back as the 1870s, though it did not really take off until automobile travel did too. Nowadays, about four million people visit Yosemite National Park each year. Over the years, the county has become host to a wide variety of popular annual festivals. Whichever month you arrive in, you are bound to find something fun going on.

Feel the Old West as you stroll up the historic main street or take a tour of the 1854 court house, the oldest court house west of the Rockies still in continuous operation. Experience pioneer history in the exhibits at the Mariposa Museum and History Center, named one of the best small museums in America by the Smithsonian Institute.

Get a fascinating glimpse of Californias mineral wealth, colorful history and geologic diversity at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum.

>City(s) = Mariposa; State(s) = CA; Country = USA.
>Title = Mariposa, CA, USA - Video.
>Keywords = Mariposa, CA, USA, Mother of Counties, Yosemite National Park (696)
>Catg =