The old Mariposa Jail (built of granite from Mormon Bar which was two miles south of Mariposa) In some of the blocks you can see the drill marks created when the stone was quarried. The monument on the jail wall reads:

Mariposa County's Old Stone Jail

This 33 x 26 foot structure was build in 1858 from granite blocks quarried near Mormon Bar at a cost of $14,744.00 by J. O. Lovejoy It originally had two stories and a gallows at the east end. In 1892 a fire gutted the building, taking the life of its only occupant, Thomas Truit. Reconstruction called for removal of the upper story. The surplus granite to be used as retaining walls at the fairgrounds. Several prisoners have escaped over the years, usually by overpowering the guards. In 1935 two inmates escaped with outside help, rivets were cut, an iron plate removed, and a stone block worked loose. Both escapees were captured in Oregon. The old stone jail was condemned in 1963 and replaced by a facility near the Courthouse.

Dedicated by Matuca Chapter 1849

E. Clampus Vitus June 9, 1979

Rededicated with new plaque April 4, 1992 by Matuca Chapter (5997)

Preservation of Western History California Style