Bear Valley
First called Johnsonville: Bear Vally had a population of 3,000 including Chinese, Cornish and Mexicans during 1850-60 when Col. John C Fremont's Pine Tree and Josephine mines were producing. Fremont's elegant hotel "Oso House", built with lumber brought around the horn, no longer stands. After fire in 1888, structures were rebuilt. Some still standing are Bon Ton Saloon, Trabucco Store, Odd Fellows Hall, school house and remains of jail, all reminders of Bear Valley's colorrful past.
Marker is on State Highway 49 south of Bear Valley Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
