Bagby, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bagby
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 Bagby
Location in California
Bagby
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mariposa County |
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
Bagby was once a small, unincorporated community in Mariposa County, California. It was located on the north bank of the Merced River, about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) northeast of Hornitos. The town sat at an elevation of 830 feet (253 meters) above sea level. Today, the original site of Bagby is covered by the waters of Lake McClure.
The Story of Bagby
Bagby has an interesting history, changing names and purposes over the years. It started as a ferry crossing and grew into a small town before being covered by a lake.
How Bagby Got Its Start
In the 1850s, a man named Thomas E. Ridley ran a ferry across the Merced River at this spot. This ferry helped people cross the river easily. Later, John C. Fremont, a famous explorer and politician, built a "stamp mill" here. A stamp mill was a machine used to crush rocks to find gold. Fremont renamed the area "Benton Mills."
The name "Bagby" was chosen in 1897 when a post office was opened there. This new name was picked to avoid confusion with another town called Benton Mills in Mono County.
Life in Bagby
The Bagby post office served the community from 1897 until 1951. A family named Bagby owned a hotel and a store in the town. These businesses were located along the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which was an important train line.
Bagby also had a power plant that provided electricity to the nearby areas. Sadly, this power plant was destroyed by a fire in 1922.
Why Bagby Disappeared
The town of Bagby was eventually destroyed when the Exchequer Dam was completed in the 1960s. The dam created Lake McClure, and the rising waters covered the entire town site.
Some buildings related to the railroad were moved to El Portal before the town was flooded. If the lake levels are very low today, you can still see some ruins of the old town of Bagby. It's like a ghost town hidden underwater!
