Merced County, California was established on April 19, 1855 and named for the Merced River, which was named by Gabriel Moraga in 1806 for Nuestra Señora de la Merced! In Spanish, that means, “Our Lady of Mercy,” so this is the county of mercy! Its county seat is Merced, and its fair is also held in Merced! You might recognize the haunted Pacheco Pass and the Merced and San Luis National Wildlife Refuges, which are located in this county!