History of the Mother Lode
Information Stop #7 |
This very interesting town, Hornitos, Information Stop #7 on your Self-Guided Study Tour, once had a population of about 15,000 people and 36 bars. Located just West of Bear Valley Road, the main street running through Hornitos, is Burns Creek, along which thousands of miners panned for gold. The Hornitos Hotel can be seen in the background with the Hornitos Catholic Church above and to the right of the hotel.
The Hornitos Hotel, built in 1960, had as its most famous guest ex-president Grant who stayed there on a visit to Yosemite in 1879.
The Hornitos Catholic Church sits alone on a hill, looking down on the small community of Hornitos, population today of about 30 people. Built in 1863, the church is still in use. Visitors often find square nails (used until about 1895) on the ground near the church.
Remains of several oven-like graves called "hornitos" and constructed of rocks are at the rear of the church.
Rock Fences
Standing on the steps of the church, one can see miles of rock fences built after the gold rush by Chinese laborers who were paid $.25 cents a day to build about 25 feet a day of rock fence. The fences were used to confine both cattle and hogs.
The Hornitos Jail as it looked in earlier years.
The jail and its surroundings being observed by a teacher enrolled in History of the Mother Lode. The jail is hand-hewn granite, constructed by Chinese laborers. It measures 14 by 14 feet in size, and it has two 12 inch square windows with bars and an iron door imported from England. Attached to the floor are five logging chains which were used to chain the prisoners. With 36 saloons and a rowdy clientel, this jail was very necessary.
Other Information Sites in Hornitos are shown below.
Rosie's Fandango Hall
Joaquin Murrieta's escape tunnel from Rosie's.
The Plaza as it looks today.
Ruins of the Ghirardelli "Chocolate King" Store.
Masonic Lodge, established in 1856.
Ghirardelli Store ruins.
Next to the Ghirardelli Store was located the Wells Fargo Office and an old dance hall. During its "boom period," Hornitos' Wells Fargo shipped $40,000 worth of gold to Stockton each week!
Many Mariposa Museum and History Center items came from Hornitos' Gagliardo Store.
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