Bootjack began as a mining camp during the California Gold Rush following the discovery of gold in 1849. Contemporary accounts describe it as "a collection of tents, brush shacks and log huts." The origin of the name "Bootjack" is debated. One theory suggests it refers to a fork in the road resembling a boot jack; another refers to a tree with a similar shape. A third, more colorful story involves a gambler known as “Texas Pete” who was hanged for theft, allegedly requesting the removal of his boots using a plank as a bootjack. In the early 20th century, Bootjack developed modestly. A post office opened on February 19, 1903, replacing the nearby "Chowchilla" post office. It operated until late 1912, when service was consolidated to Mariposa. The local economy relied on timber, subsistence farming, and small-scale mining. By the 1930s, the Merrill Lumber Company operated a sawmill west of Bootjack. Infrastructure improvements followed with the creation of
California State Route 49, the “Golden Chain Highway,” in the 1930s. By mid-century, the highway was paved and brought increased tourism and commerce through Bootjack, linking it to
Mariposa and
Oakhurst.
Postwar Community Life After World War II, Bootjack retained its rural character while Mariposa County experienced gradual population growth. Improved transportation allowed residents to live in Bootjack while working in nearby towns or in forestry and national park services. In 1949, the Bootjack Stompers Square Dance Club was founded and became a central part of local cultural life. The club held weekly dances at a community hall near the Bootjack Store and marked its 75th anniversary in 2024, making it one of California's oldest active square dance groups. Public services also expanded. A volunteer fire company formed during the 1950s and later became Mariposa County Fire Company 37, headquartered along Highway 49. In 1967, several Bootjack residents joined the county's newly created mounted search-and-rescue posse. As the logging industry declined by the 1970s, Bootjack residents shifted to employment in tourism, construction, and commuting to nearby cities. Agriculture, including ranching and apple orchards in areas like
Jerseydale, continued on a smaller scale. By the late 20th century, Bootjack was one of the more populous areas of the county despite lacking formal incorporation. Its census-designated place (CDP) population reached 1,588 in 2000, surpassing that of Mariposa's CDP at the time. Today, Bootjack remains a largely residential community with a mix of pioneer families and newer residents seeking a rural foothill lifestyle. ==Demographics==