Mt. Bullion

MOUNT BULLION

Mariposa Co., CA

AKA
La Mineta, Princeton

Elevation 2176'

This once-flourishing mining town dates to 1850. It is located on SH 49, about 4.7 miles northwest of Mariposa.

It was the center of a large placering area as well as being the main support center for the famed Princeton Mine (see details below). The post office was established July 10, 1862 as Mount Bullion. The name of the community changed from Princeton to reflect the new post office name. It was originally located on Colonel John C. FREMONT's property and the camp was known as Princeton until 1862 when the post office was established. The post office and consequently the town name was named after "Old Bullion", the nickname for Missouri Senator and FREMONT's father-in-law Thomas Hart BENTON.

In 1949-1950, slate was quarried at the Mount Bullion Quarry, located about three miles west of town.

In 1949, some of the remaining historic buildings included the iron-shuttered, adobe and brick Carlo MAR

RE Store (east side of highway) and the wood frame Frank TRABUCCO Store. The MARRE Store was built in the 1860s. The PRINCETON HOTEL was already long gone.

In April 2002, these were also all gone. Only the old school remained, and it appeared to be in process of being converted to a single family home.

POPULATION FIGURES

· Peak: about 2000 miners

· 1930:

· 1980: 110

· 1990: 110