As we stand in front of the Old Mariposa County Jail, built in 1858, lets imagine the bustling town life around this historic building that once housed some of the regions most notorious criminals. Constructed with local limestone and bricks from a nearby furnace, its sturdy design is reminiscent of the Gold Rush era when Mariposa was thriving with hopeful miners.

Old Mariposa County Jail has an interesting history that began with its construction by John Booth in 1858, a man who went on to become the towns first sheriff. The jailhouse is designed as a one-story building measuring 40 feet wide and 60 feet long, which includes six cells along its north side and office space for the sheriffs staff.

This historic structure has been in continuous use since its construction, serving as both a jail and a temporary courthouse during Mariposas early years. The building also housed the towns first newspaper, The Miner, which was printed on the premises by Benjamin F. Butler from 1859 to 1860.

One of the unique attributes of Old Mariposa County Jail is its collection of graffiti left behind by inmates over the years. As you walk through the building, you can see their etchings and drawings on the walls, providing a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those once confined within these stone walls.

The jail was also home to some famous criminals during its time, including notorious outlaw Charles Black Bart Bolton. He was captured by Sheriff Booth in 1883 after a series of stagecoach robberies and held here before being transported to San Quentin State Prison.

Today, Old Mariposa County Jail stands as a testament to the rich history of this once-thriving Gold Rush town. As you take in its sturdy design and listen to stories about the people who walked these halls, imagine the struggles, triumphs, and experiences that shaped the lives of early Mariposa residents.

Lets now step inside this historic building and immerse ourselves in the atmosphere that has been preserved for over a century, where the echoes of the past still reverberate through its stone walls.