Ghost Towns of Mariposa Co., CA, S

Ghost Town USA’s

Guide to the Ghost Towns, Mining Camps,

and Other Formerly Inhabited Places in

MARIPOSA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

Locations beginning with S

SAINT MARY’S MINE

…SEE St. Mary’s Mine (below)

SAN JOSE MINE

This copper mine was located in the West Westfall Copper Mines area, 0.6 miles south of the Lookout Mine, 0.5 miles west of West Westfall Road, at a point 1.2 AIR miles northwest of the junction of West Westfall/Preston roads, in the southwestern tip of the county.

SANTA CRUZ

...SEE Indian Gulch (#1)

SANTA ROSA MINE

This hard rock gold mine was located near Midpines-Bear Creek. Actual location not determined.

SAVAGE(’S) CAMP

Alternate names for the Savage Trading Posts – below

A Savage’s Camp is mentioned by GUDDE in CGC as being four miles from Harvey’s Bar, on the Horseshoe Bend in the Merced River. That would place it under Lake McClure.

This is probably the same location as Savage Trading Post #3 (below). GBS

…also SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SAVAGE TENT

…SEE Savage Trading Post #3

SAVAGE(’S) TRADING POST #1 (CHL #527)

Established at the confluence of the North Fork and the main Merced River in 1849 by James D. SAVAGE , this log-store catered to miners. In 1850, Savage relocated further west along Mariposa Creek. The historic marker is located on SH 140 at milepost 43.2, eight miles west of El Portal. In the mid 1970s, a tourist Trading Post by the same name was located along SH 140 at or near this site.

…also SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SAVAGE(’S) TRADING POST #2

Established in the spring of 1850 by James D. SAVAGE along Mariposa Creek south of Agua Fria. It replaced his earlier trading post. It was burned in December 1850.

…also SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SAVAGE(’S) TRADING POST #3 (???)

AKA – Savage Tent

A Savage Trading Post is said to have been located at the confluence of Piney Creek and the Merced River in 1849 (Gudde-CGC). This would place it under Lake McClure.

…also SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SAWMILLS

Throughout the county’s history, lumbering was a major industry, and a large number of sawmills operated here. Listed below are some that were located in Mariposa County. For details follow the links to the appropriate alphabetic listing pages.

· BEXTER WHITE & COMPANY’S SAWMILL

· (Bert) BRUCE’S SAWMILL

· (Jay) BRUCE’S SAWMILL

· CIRCULAR SAWMILL …SEE (Bert) Bruce’s Sawmill

· CLARK’S SAWMILL

· CROOK’S SAWMILL

· GAMBOL’S SAWMILL

· HARRIS’ SAWMILL

· HITE’S SAWMILL

· HUMPHREY & GEIGER’S SAWMILL

· HUMPHREY & MOCK’S SAWMILL

· KING & HARBOR’S SAWMILL (#1)

· KING & HARBOR’S SAWMILL (#2)

· SCOTT’S SAWMILL …SEE below

· SMITH & DUDLEY SAWMILL …SEE DUDLEY’S STATION

· SNYDER & COMPANY’S SAWMILL …SEE below

· STONY HARRIS’ SAWMILL …SEE Harris’ Sawmill

· THURMOND’S SAWMILL

· WHITE & HATCH’s SAWMILL

· WORMAN’S SAWMILL

SAXON CREEK

This is a common misspelling for Saxton’s Creek. It is also spelled this way on the DeLorme Northern California Atlas & Gazetteer, page 110.

SAXTON CREEK

AKA – Saxon Creek, Sexton’s Creek

This gold-bearing creek in the northeastern part of the Whitlock Mining District was the site of a lot of mining activity. It flows north through the Sherlock-Whitlock area and into the Merced River at a point 1.3 AIR miles west of Briceburg and six AIR miles north of Mariposa. The placer mines were active in the 1850s, and a number of hard rock mines later.

For details follow the links to the appropriate alphabetic listing pages.

· ARTRU MINE

· B & B MINE

· KING & HARBOR’S SAWMILL (#1)

· ROOSEVELT MINE

· SCHROEDER MINES GROUP (SEE below)

· WASHINGTON MINE (#2)

· YELLOW METALS MINE

SCHOOLHOUSE MINE

A gold mine located in Hunter Valley. The exact location is not determined.

SCHOOLS

Throughout Mariposa County, one-room schools proliferated in the early days. Many times they were set in scattered, rural communities, and they served as the focus for that community. Other times they were in the “center” of a cluster of businesses such as the school, a church, rural post office and possibly a general store. In 1857 there were seven schools, which expanded to 30 by the 1880s. Over a century later (1975), there were nine elementary schools, one high school, and 16 “abandoned schools.”

For details, follow the links to the appropriate alphabetic listing pages.

· BEAR CREEK SCHOOL

· BOOTJACK SCHOOL

· BUCKINGHAM SCHOOL

· CATHEY VALLEY SCHOOL

· CHOWCHILLA SCHOOL

· COLORADO SCHOOL

· DARRAH SCHOOL

· ELKHORN SCHOOL

· EXCHEQUER SCHOOL

· GREEN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

· INDIAN GULCH SCHOOL

· INDIAN PEAK SCHOOL

· LEWIS SCHOOL

· OAK GROVE SCHOOL

· OAKVALE SCHOOL (2-sites)

· PEA RIDGE SCHOOL

· QUARTZBURG SCHOOL

· SEBASTOPOL SCHOOL …SEE below

· SNOW CREEK SCHOOL …SEE below

· WHITLOCK SCHOOL

· WOODLAND SCHOOL

SCHROEDER MINE (Group)

This mine was located on the East Belt vein system, in the heart of the Whitlock Mining District. It was along Saxton Creek (SEE above for list of mines), about two miles northeast of the Diltz-Oro Grande Mine and two AIR miles southwest of Briceburg. This mine was a patented location and was active in at least as late as 1949. A mill was located on site. In 1885, some hydraulic mining took place here. The Schroeder Mine later consolidated with the Kid Saxon, King Saxon, Queen Saxon and Rex mines. It was originally discovered in July 1877 by John SCHROEDER, and produced $200,000 to $300,000 in gold.

SCOTT’S SAWMILL

Ray SCOTT purchased his sawmill from the Comet Mine in 1924. Where he set it up is not determined.

…SEE Sawmills (above) for a listing of the various sawmills in Mariposa County.

SEBASTOPOL

A one-room school was located here. In 1864, it was located north of SH 49, near the NORRIS Ranch, between Mariposa and Bootjack. Actual location not determined.

…SEE Schools (above) for a list of schools in the county.

SELBY FERRY

Located on the south bank of the Merced River, about a mile below (west) of Bagby/Benton Mills. In 1949 ruins included ruins of an adobe building and an old corral. This old ferry site is now under the upper end of Lake McClure.

SEXTON’S CREEK

...SEE Saxton Creek

SHERLOCK CREEK

This gold-bearing stream flows northerly into the Merced River at a point 1.2 miles southwest of the confluence of the Merced and the North Fork of the Merced rivers, 3.8 AIR miles east-southeast of Bagby.

In 1853, King & Harbor built a second sawmill, which was located along Sherlock Creek.

...also SEE Sherlock’s Diggings (below)

SHERLOCK GULCH

...SEE Sherlock’s Diggings

SHERLOCK TOWN

...SEE Sherlock’s Diggings

SHERLOCK’S DIGGINGS

AKA – Sherlock Creek, Sherlock Gulch, Sherlock Town

Along Sherlock Creek. The Sherlock Creek-Whitlock area had a large number of active lode mines beginning in the 1860s. Sherlock Town dates to 1850 and had a bakery, hotel, IOOF hall, saloons and a school, along with 500 people. The placer diggings were along the creek, and about ¾ths of a mile west of the intersection of Whitlock Road/ Colorado Road, about five AIR miles north of Mariposa.

SHIMER MINE

The old Cherokee Mine at Bondurant was re-activated by the SHIMER brothers in the 1880s.

SIERRA RICA MINE

This 1860s-era gold mine was located along Bear Creek, near Briceburg. Actual location not determined.

SILVER BAR MINE

The location of this silver mine is not determined.

SILVER LANE MINE

The location of this silver mine is not determined.

SIMPSONVILLE

…SEE Bear Valley

SMITH & DUDLEY SAWMILL

Located at Dudley’s Station.

…SEE Sawmills (above) for a listing of the various sawmills in Mariposa County.

SMITH RIDGE

In the Kinsley Mining District. Actual location not determined.

SMITH’S FERRY

Operated by J. L. SMITH, this 1851-era ferry was located on the Merced River near Horseshoe Bend. Its site is now under Lake McClure.

SNOW CREEK

Located several miles east of Mariposa and north of Bootjack. A five-stamp mill was located here in 1869. Possibly the same location as the Snow Creek School (below).

SNOW CREEK RANCH

…SEE Clark’s Station

…SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SNOW CREEK SCHOOL

This c1884 one-room school taught by Miss BEALS, was located in the Sweetwater Mining District. Actual location is not determined.

…SEE Schools (above) for a listing of the various schools in Mariposa County.

SNYDER GULCH

…SEE Hite’s Sawmill.

SNYDER & COMPANY’S SAWMILL

This 1880s sawmill was located in the Sweetwater Mining District. An actual location is not determined.

…SEE Sawmills (above) for a listing of the various sawmills in Mariposa County.

SOLOMON’S GULCH

Located on the north side of the Merced River east of Bagby, this gulch was the scene of placer mining activity from 1849 through the early 1850s, and hard rock mining beginning in the 1870s. The mining district was known as the Cat Town Mining District. Gudde says George COULTER operated a store here before he moved to the future site of Coulterville.

SORREL MINE

Located in the Mount Bullion Mining District, about a half-mile south of Mount Bullion.

SOUTH CRANBERRY MINE

This gold mine was located in the Clearinghouse Mining District. Actual location not determined.

SOUTH SUNSET EXTENSION MINE

Part of the Trujillo Mines group, which was located at the headwaters of Burns Creek, about 5.5 AIR miles northeast of Hornitos. Actual location not determined.

SPECIMEN MINE

Located in the Bagby Mining District, directly on the Mother Lode vein system near Bear Valley. Actual location not determined.

SPLIT ROCK FERRY

This 1850s era river ferry was located on the south side of the Merced River, four miles northwest (downstream) of Bagby. It is now under the waters of Lake McClure.

SPREAD EAGLE MINE

One of several dozen mines located in the Sherlock-Whitlock area. It produced $425,000 in gold. Actual location not determined.

SPRING DIVISION

…SEE Great Johnson Vein in the Bagby Mining District.

SQUIRREL MINE

…SEE Bunker Hill Mine

ST. MARY’S MINE

AKA – Saint Mary’s Mine

This gold mine was located at the head of Toledo Gulch, three AIR miles north of Hornitos.

STAGE STATIONS

…SEE Way Stations

STOCKTON CREEK

This gold-bearing creek flows southwest from a point about a mile east of Mariposa to Mariposa Creek at a point about 1.5 miles south of Mariposa. It was originally called Ave Maria River, and the confluence was the site of the 1850s mining camp of Ave Maria.

STOCKTON CREEK MINE

This gold mine was located on Stockton Creek, in the Mariposa Mining District, about a half mile southeast of Mariposa. It operated from the 1850s until 1938.

STOCKTON CREEK TUNNEL

Located in the Mariposa Mining District. Exact location not determined.

This may be an alternate name for the Stockton Creek Mine. (GBS)

STONEHOUSE

This place is located at the junction of Old Highway/School House Road, 1.7 AIR miles south of Cathey’s Valley.

STONY HARRIS’ SAWMILL

…SEE Darrah Station.

STRINGTOWN (Madera County)

…SEE Gertrude

STUD HORSE FLAT

This 1920s mining area was located about three miles northwest of Bagby. Exact location not determined.

SULTANA MINE

One of several dozen mines located in the Sherlock-Whitlock area. Actual location not determined.

SUMMIT INN elevation 2962’

Located at Midpines Summit, on SH 140, at the junction with Sherlock-Whitlock Road, 3.5 miles northeast of Mariposa.

…SEE Way Stations for a listing of the various way stations in Mariposa County.

SUNSET MINE

Part of the Trujillo Mines group, which was located at the headwaters of Burns Creek, about 5.5 AIR miles northeast of Hornitos. Actual location not determined.

SWEETWATER

This gold mining camp was located in the heart of the Sweetwater Mining District (below), probably at the Sweetwater Mine.

SWEETWATER MINE

This gold mine operated from the 1850s through the 1950s, and was located at the head of Sweetwater Creek, northeast of Mariposa and about two miles northwest of Jerseydale and 4.5 AIR miles southeast of Briceburg. There was a 12-stamp mill on site in 1853. In 1883, the mine was owned and operated by the GROYES Brothers, and at that time a ten-stamp mill was located on site for ore reduction. It was in the Sweetwater Mining District (below).

SWEETWATER MINING DISTRICT

AKA – Jerseydale-Sweetwater Mining District

Located northeast of Mariposa, south of Hites Cove, north of Bootjack, and east of SH-140, this mining district played host to several mines and mining camps. Placer mining supported the community in the 1850s, lode mining in the 1860s-early 1900s, and again in the 1930s. Some of the other mines/mining camps in the area included:

· BANNER MINE

· EARLY MINE

· GOLDEN AGE MINE

· JERSEYDALE

· JERSEYDALE MINING DISTRICT

· MOUNTAIN VIEW MINE

· SNOW CREEK SCHOOL…SEE above

· SNYDER & COMPANY’S SAWMILL…SEE above

· SWEETWATER…SEE above

· SWEETWATER MINE…SEE above

· UNION MINE

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