AGUA FRIA, Mariposa County, Calirornia
An 1849 era mining camp located west of Mariposa. It was the original county seat for Mariposa County, but in 1851, the honor was transferred to Mariposa and Agua Fria faded from history. The town consisted of two communities of gold miners about a mile apart...Lower Agua Fria and Upper Agua Fria/Poverty Flat.
The historic marker is located on SH 140, 3.2 miles west of Mariposa (milepost 17.2). The camps were located on Agua Fria Creek, a half mile east of the junction of SH 140/ Mt. Bullion Cutoff, north of SH 140, about 3.5 miles west of Mariposa.
Lower Agua Fria was the main camp, and was located about a quarter mile above Agua Fria Springs and Carson Creek. When Mariposa County formed on Feb 18, 1850, (Lower) Agua Fria was designated the county seat. It held that honor until Nov 10, 1851, when the seat was transferred to Mariposa. A post office was established on Oct 7, 1851. The town burned Jun 22, 1866, sparing only 1 building.
From the Mariposa Free Press June 23, 1866