Andrew Firebaugh was born in Virginia in 1823. He served with the Texas Mounted Riflemen in the Mexican War. Coming to California in 1849, he fought in the Mariposa Indian War under Major James D. Savage on the expedition that discovered Yosemite.
In 1854, he established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass that led to the establishment of Bell's Station. In 1872, he was one of the the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road. His young daughter is buried next to him, but her plot is unmarked.
Surviving Daughter Annie Firebaugh married John Henry Burnett. They had 2 daughters Maude E and Winnifred Burnett. Winnifred died at the age of 7.
From a 1905 biography: Andrew Firebaugh, came from his native state of Virginia to California as a pioneer. He located in Santa Cruz for a time and then went to the present site of Firebaugh, where he was one of the first white settlers on the west side. He built the first ferry at the town now known as Firebaugh, and also the Pacheco Pass road over the Coast range as a toll road, and later sold it to the county.
In 1854, he established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass that led to the establishment of Bell's Station. In 1872, he was one of the the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road. His young daughter is buried next to him, but her plot is unmarked.
Surviving Daughter Annie Firebaugh married John Henry Burnett. They had 2 daughters Maude E and Winnifred Burnett. Winnifred died at the age of 7.
From a 1905 biography: Andrew Firebaugh, came from his native state of Virginia to California as a pioneer. He located in Santa Cruz for a time and then went to the present site of Firebaugh, where he was one of the first white settlers on the west side. He built the first ferry at the town now known as Firebaugh, and also the Pacheco Pass road over the Coast range as a toll road, and later sold it to the county.
Andrew Firebaugh was born in Virginia in 1823. He served with the Texas Mounted Riflemen in the Mexican War. Coming to California in 1849, he fought in the Mariposa Indian War under Major James D. Savage on the expedition that discovered Yosemite.
In 1854, he established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass that led to the establishment of Bell's Station. In 1872, he was one of the the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road. His young daughter is buried next to him, but her plot is unmarked.
Surviving Daughter Annie Firebaugh married John Henry Burnett. They had 2 daughters Maude E and Winnifred Burnett. Winnifred died at the age of 7.
From a 1905 biography: Andrew Firebaugh, came from his native state of Virginia to California as a pioneer. He located in Santa Cruz for a time and then went to the present site of Firebaugh, where he was one of the first white settlers on the west side. He built the first ferry at the town now known as Firebaugh, and also the Pacheco Pass road over the Coast range as a toll road, and later sold it to the county.
In 1854, he established a trading post and ferry on the San Joaquin River. Known as Firebaugh's Ferry, it was a station on the great Butterfield Overland Stage Route. He built the first road over Pacheco Pass that led to the establishment of Bell's Station. In 1872, he was one of the the founders of "The Academy", Fresno County's first secondary school. When he died in 1875, he was buried on his homestead some ten miles above there on the Tollhouse Road. His young daughter is buried next to him, but her plot is unmarked.
Surviving Daughter Annie Firebaugh married John Henry Burnett. They had 2 daughters Maude E and Winnifred Burnett. Winnifred died at the age of 7.
From a 1905 biography: Andrew Firebaugh, came from his native state of Virginia to California as a pioneer. He located in Santa Cruz for a time and then went to the present site of Firebaugh, where he was one of the first white settlers on the west side. He built the first ferry at the town now known as Firebaugh, and also the Pacheco Pass road over the Coast range as a toll road, and later sold it to the county.
Inscription
CO. C. 1 TEX. MTD. RIFLES MEX. WAR.
