Explore a few sample community submissions from the This Must Be the Place project. Click the photos to view in full screen.
Clay River - On Left This was my very first Mariposa County Fair the summer I moved here with my partner Rose, returning to her hometown. Summer of 2018 (2nd month her in photo) Rose Fluharty -On Right Of course, I had to share a picture of my first time at the legendary fair with my sweetheart: Clay. The ferris wheel never disappoints, and I cannot count the number of old friends and relatives I ran into! It’s a Mariposa gem.
"Trail Rider" taken of Tom Coolidge, by Sharon Kingman-Coolidge I moved back to Greeley Hill permanently in 2008. Attended Mariposa high school (Class of 1975) and my family (Kingmans) have owned the land in Greeley Hill (now where my house) is since 1959. Took this photo on a trail somewhere near the South Fork of the Merced; Wawona area. I have attended the Arts Council Adult Photography Class two semesters and learned a lot from Anna Friedland, instructor.
The Merced River was been a pivotal part of my childhood growing up in Mariposa and continues to be the crowning jewel of my summers as an adult. As a child in a family of 6, camping trips down at McCabe Flat never ceased to be exciting and felt like 'vacation'. Even in the years I lived away from Mariposa, I would plan a summer trip back when river conditions were good so that I didn't miss a single summer season swimming in our Lady Mercy.
I am a 4th generation mariposite, my family (Tresidder)came to mariposa in the 1850's from England. They were employed as hard rock miners in the sherlock area of mariposa. I was born at John C. Fremont hospital in 1976. This photo was taken a few years ago at a little known spot just outside of Yosemite. In the old days locals called it Inspiration point, others call it Elephant Rock( see 2nd pic taken from below on hwy 140 just before entrance to Yosemite)I'm standing on the Elephants forehead. lol
Sarah Williams (picture from May 2020) Resident of Mariposa County for 31 years Age 58 This site on the West Fork of the Chowchilla River, on the Teleki Ranch, is a very favorite place of mine...and has been for years. The natural beauty of our County, and many special little "secret" places like this, is unsurpassed.
My name is Mikenna Seymour I am eight years old I’m submitting my photo of one of my favorite places to be right now one of my favorite places to be is home In Mariposa-because it’s the only place I’m supposed to be I love that I don’t have neighbors right next to me and I love the view being in all the trees And beauty in nature around melove to take pictures I love I love my sisters this is a photo of my sister doing what she loves to do flips and acrobatics on the trampoline
I spent a lot of my childhood at Mariposa Elementary School. Maybe more than the usual school hours, as we would go there on the weekends to ride bikes or play on the playground. Here I am, age 7, running in the 50 yard dash at the M.E.S. Primary Field Day in 1985. Note the vintage Mariposa Monarchs t-shirt! I lived on Jones Street in Mariposa from 1977-1995. I cannot think of a better place to have grown up.
This footbridge that crosses Mariposa Creek is for me the connection between the wildness of life under the bridge and the community and culture that exists above it. To be a participant in both is what I cherish. I am 70 years old and have lived in Mariposa for 41 years. Phyllis Becker
I've lived most of my life in Mariposa County and while there are many beautiful places here, none takes my breath away quite like the high country. Surrounded by granite domes and gliding over impossibly clear water, I find a sense of peace and belonging. A saying from John Muir always comes to mind, "going to the mountains is going home." Though his words continue resonate with people all over the world, we know why this was the place that inspired them. Tenaya Lake, 2016
Please find the attached photo of my husband and me at Valley View in Yosemite. We decided to retire in Mariposa because it is close to Yosemite, one of our favorite places. Valley View is one of our favorite view points in the valley. We have volunteered at the Big Oak Flat Visitor station every summer since we moved here, and Valley View is one of the places we tell visitors not to miss.
Laura Lynn and Tom Hays. We’ve lived in Mariposa over 43 years. Between the two of us, we spent 42 years teaching here and making so many memories. It is where we met. If we include our daughter, who now teachers here (and is an alumnus), it would be over 50 years of making MCHS memories.
Liddy says, “I am sharing the photo because I love walking Allred-Morningstar Road. I love the smells, the horses, and the treats in my backpack. I prepare for AKC Pack Hikes by carrying up to 20% of my 95# weight on my back.” A pack hike is 8 miles a day for two days in a row. “I have lived here for two years. I was a rescue Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, having lived in Utah for my first year. I like to pack hike, pull carts, and ring the bell for Salvation Army at Pioneer Market at Christmas. Actually a favorite place to hike is the Mariposa Parkway because of all the canine-type smells!” My age—Three years old on June 8th.
