Monterey

Our Mission Monterey State Historic Park The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Walk the “Path of History” to experience the birthplace of Early California’s capital and the beginnings of California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (831) 649-7118. If you need this publication in an alternate format, call (916) 654-2249 or contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Monterey State Historic Park 20 Custom House Plaza Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 649-7118 www.parks.ca.gov/mshp © 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) California’s statehood. O villages, decimating n the ruggedly the population. picturesque Monterey Peninsula sits Monterey Spanish Settlement State Historic Park— In 1542 Juan California’s earliest Rodriguez Cabrillo, capital and the site of the the first European state’s first constitutional explorer to chart convention. A varied array Cowhides on display at Custom House the California coast, of preserved buildings sailed past the in Historic Monterey captures the cultural fog-shrouded entrance to Monterey Bay. diversity that guided California’s transition This protected harbor on California’s central from a remote Spanish outpost to an agrarian coast remained hidden for another 60 years. Mexican province to U.S. statehood. On December 16, 1602, Sebastian Vizcaíno Known for its mild Mediterranean climate, entered the bay, searching for a safe harbor the Monterey Peninsula has a year-round for richly-laden Spanish galleons returning average temperature of 57 degrees. Coastal from the Philippines. Vizcaíno fog is common during the summer months, named Monterey Bay after as is rain in the winter. Late fall offers the the Viceroy of New Spain greatest number of sunny days. and reclaimed Alta BRIEF HISTORY Native People Inhabited by the Rumsien Indians for thousands of years, the Monterey Peninsula’s rich animal and plant life supplied all of their needs. The Rumsien people moved their villages seasonally throughout their territory to fish, hunt and collect plants. Skilled artisans crafted finely woven baskets, often decorated with abalone pendants, quail plumes and woodpecker feathers. The arrival of Europeans in California drastically changed the native lifestyle. Traditional food sources were depleted by livestock, and the two cultures clashed over native traditions and beliefs. Diseases to which the Rumsien people had no resistance wiped out entire (Upper) California for Spain. Spain finally began colonizing Alta California in 1769, 167 years after Vizcaíno’s landing. On June 3, 1770, Captain Gaspar de Portolá, with Franciscan Father Junípero Serra, arrived on the shores of Monterey Bay to establish the Presidio of Monterey and Mission de San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey, the second of the Spanish missions in Alta California. The mission was moved one year later to its present site in Carmel. In 1775 Monterey became the capital of California, a title it would hold under both Spanish and Mexican rule. The Mexican Period Mexico obtained independence from Spain in 1821; for nearly 25 years, the Mexican flag flew over Monterey. Under Mexican rule, trade restrictions were lifted. Coastal ports were opened to foreign trade, drawing British, American and South American traders. To collect custom duties — a principal revenue source for Alta California — from the burgeoning foreign shipping trade, the Mexican government built the Custom House, the oldest government building in California and California’s first State Historical Landmark. Image courtesy of the California Historical Society Inset: Father Junípero Serra. Bottom: Dedication of the second mission in Alta California at Monterey, by L. Trousset, 1870 Image courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley leading citizens to push for statehood. In building material. The 1849 a new state constitution was drafted at Larkin House, home of Colton Hall, and in 1850 California became Thomas O. Larkin and his the thirty-first state. San Jose was chosen as family, combined Spanish the first permanent seat of California state building methods with government, ending Monterey’s years as New England architectural California’s capital. features, creating a As the center of commerce and pattern for the popular politics moved north to San Francisco “Monterey Colonial” style and Sacramento during the gold rush, of architecture. In Monterey became isolated socially 1847 California’s and economically. The Old Monterey First Brick House Whaling Company began shore was built by Mission San Carlos Borromeo, by Edwin Deakin, ca. 1900 Gallant Duncan whaling operations in 1855, using the Old Whaling Station Dickenson, The opening of Monterey’s port quickly as headquarters and whalers’ who produced his own kiln-fired drew seafaring men, such as American sea residence. Made of whale bricks and introduced American captain John Rogers Cooper. He arrived vertebrae, the front walkway brick-building techniques to in California in 1823, built what is now the reminds visitors of this unique Monterey’s architectural mix. Cooper-Molera Adobe (a National Trust economic activity in California’s American Period Historic Site), and became a merchant and a history. In the early 1900s, Monterey On July 7, 1846, during the prominent landowner. In 1832 he convinced Thomas O. Larkin became the center of a thriving fishing Mexican-American War, U.S. naval his half-brother Thomas O. Larkin to join him and canning industry. forces, under Commodore in business. Larkin soon became the most Image courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley John Drake Sloat, landed influential American in Monterey, serving in Monterey to take formal as the first and only United States consul possession of Alta California to Mexico in Monterey. Many foreigners, for the United States. The drawn by trade, settled in California, married American flag was soon flying into leading local families, and worked from the Custom House closely with the upper class of native-born flagpole, realizing the American Californios — men like Mariano Vallejo, Juan government’s goal of creating a Bautista Alvarado and José Castro. nation that stretched “from sea Monterey soon expanded beyond the old to shining sea.” Spanish presidio walls. Pristine, whitewashed News of the discovery of gold adobe buildings lined the streets and dotted on the western slopes of the the hillsides. Many leading citizens erected Sierra Nevada on January 24, substantial residences using sun-dried 1848, motivated California’s adobe bricks, a traditional and abundant View of Monterey looking inland, by Bayard Taylor, ca. 1850 Monterey has continued to appeal to those seeking a pastoral retreat. Over the years, Monterey’s beautiful coastal setting has inspired artists and writers like Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Staying in the French Hotel, now known as the Stevenson House, he wrote articles for the local Monterey newspaper that captured the essence of the “Old Pacific Capital.” Guided and self-guided tour material is available on request. The self-guided Path of History and the first floors of its marked buildings are accessible. Accessible restrooms are behind the Pacific House Museum in the Casa del Oro Garden and at the CooperMolera Adobe. Accessibility is continually improving in state parks. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. MONTEREY STATE The Pacific House’s HISTORIC PARK Today NEARBY STATE PARKS Sensory and Memory Gardens • Monterey State Beach Today the historic buildings Del Monte Ave. at Park Ave., Monterey of Monterey State Historic Park retain their 93940 (831) 649-2836 rich heritage, preserving an often-forgotten • Asilomar State Beach & Conference part of Californian and American history. Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove Explore the park’s interpretive center­­at 93950 (831) 646-6440 the Pacific House Museum. Take a guided • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve tour through sturdy adobe residences, such 3 miles south of Carmel on Hwy. 1 as Casa Soberanes and the Cooper-Molera 93923 (831) 624-4909 Adobe (a National Trust Historic Site) for a taste of this rich history. Let the tantalizing NEARBY HISTORY MUSEUMS fragrances of the many heritage gardens • Colton Hall Museum, City of Monterey, transport you back to early California as Pacific Street (between Jefferson and you experience the birthplace of Madison Streets) (831) 646-5640 California’s government. • Museum of Monterey 5 Custom House Plaza (831) 372-2608 Accessible Features The Pacific House Museum, the Stevenson House, the Custom House, and the First Brick House are generally accessible. However, some accessible structures are only open to guided tours at specific times. PLEASE REMEMBER • Start your visit to Monterey State Historic Park at the Pacific House Museum to receive park information and view displays covering the changing periods of history in Monterey. • Parking is available on the street and in public and private parking lots. • The law prohibits removal of any natural, cultural or historical object. • Except for service animals, dogs and other pets are not permitted in park buildings or on park grounds. • The park provides tours of the historic houses and museums for a fee. Contact the park office for more information on available tours at (831) 649-7118. Check the current schedule of special events and programs at www.parks.ca.gov/mshp. • The park provides State Content Standards-based programming for third grade (Native American history) and fourth grade (Mexican California history) for a fee. Programs range from three to four hours. Shorter, walk-through tours for kindergarten through twelfth grade classes at the Custom House and Pacific House Museum are also available for a fee. For reservations, contact the park office at (831) 649-7118. • The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. Custom House First Brick House Old Whaling Station Stevenson House Pacific House Museum Casa Soberanes Casa del Oro Colton Hall (City of Monterey) First Theater Larkin House Cooper-Molera Adobe, a National Trust Historic Site PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY Rd t St le r y S t Fisherman’s Wharf Asilomar SB Monterey Bay Arti llery Pac ific A rt il Ew ing try S Li gh th o u s e A v e Infan Presidio of Monterey Museum Building 113 St Legend Paved road o St Path of History n Tu Vizcaíno Serra Landing Site l O’Donnell Library Scott St Doud House Seen Old Whaling Station P Van B r Park Building Monterey Marina Stanton Center, Museum of Monterey Parking Restrooms la Pla Porto P ne l Mon Marina Tun Del Casa Soberanes Footbridge tt St Custom House Plaza Pacific House Museum Duarte Store Accessible Feature Custom House Olive uren Lark St in St First Theater Military Property Sloat Landing Site Sco Casa del Oro City Park Municipal Wharf P St n St o St First Brick House Perry House Wats o City of Monterey ne Footbridge to Presidio za Seen Monterey Convention Center te A ve P Fran klin Merritt House Osio Adobe St Del Mon Monterey Museum of Art ro el Este s St ton St Camino P Adam St El Estero Park Complex Stevenson House Web Pea rl S t St ster Stokes Adobe Casa Pacheco un ra ve sA St Chu Royal Presidio Chapel Monterey High School rch ro ell Post Office P Madariaga Adobe M Fremont Adobe St P el Este ic St Monterey Visitor Center Gabriel de la Torre Adobe rtn P Cortez St Alvara Simoneau Plaza Cooper-Molera Adobe Complex Ha Pacif Library Washi ng do St e Pr Pearl St Casa Abrego Casa Gutierrez Police Station Pl Camino UnderwoodBrown Adobe Jack’s Ballpark Figueroa City Hall P Pearl St lk a St Call Casa Amesti St House of Four Winds Casa Estrada cio in St Casa Alvarado Po Van B Larkin House Sherman’s Quarters Colton Hall & Old Jail St incip ic St Pacif Gordon House Bonifa go St ison P Frankl Abre Mad Casa Sanchez P Casa de la Torre Vasquez Adobe uren St Dutr Alvarado Adobe State Theatre al uren Van B Lara-Soto Adobe Del Monte Ave St St in St Lark Old Monterey Hotel P St CITY OF MONTEREY P Tyler Pierc e St P Capitular Hall Casa Serrano rson te Ave P P Jeffe Figuero a St P Abrego St Ca ss St Munras Av e Fremont St to This park is supported in part by a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact Monterey State Historic Park Association 525 Polk Street, Monterey, CA 93940 • (831) 649-7111 • www.mshpa.org Frem ont S t © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA Follow the markers for a self-guided walking history tour.