Monterey State Historic Park 20 Custom House Plaza Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 649-7118
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Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Monterey education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Walk the “Path of diversity, protecting its most valued natural and State Historic Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities History” to experience for high-quality outdoor recreation. the birthplace of Early California’s capital and the beginnings of California State Parks supports equal access. California’s statehood. 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 [email protected]. 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) O n the ruggedly villages, decimating year later to its present site in Carmel. picturesque Monterey the population. In 1775 Monterey became the capital of Peninsula sits Monterey Spanish Settlement California, a title it would hold under both State Historic Park— In 1542 Juan Spanish and Mexican rule. California’s earliest Rodriguez Cabrillo, The Mexican Period capital and the site of the the first European Mexico obtained independence from state’s first constitutional explorer to chart Spain in 1821; for nearly 25 years, the convention. A varied array Cowhides on display at Custom House the California coast, Mexican flag flew over Monterey. Under of preserved buildings sailed past the Mexican rule, trade restrictions were in Historic Monterey captures the cultural fog-shrouded entrance to Monterey Bay. lifted. Coastal ports were opened to diversity that guided California’s transition This protected harbor on California’s central foreign trade, drawing British, American from a remote Spanish outpost to an agrarian coast remained hidden for another 60 years. and South American traders. To collect Mexican province to U.S. statehood. On December 16, 1602, Sebastian Vizcaíno custom duties — a principal revenue Known for its mild Mediterranean climate, entered the bay, searching for a safe harbor source for Alta California — from the the Monterey Peninsula has a year-round for richly-laden Spanish galleons returning burgeoning foreign shipping trade, the average temperature of 57 degrees. Coastal from the Philippines. Vizcaíno Mexican government built the Custom fog is common during the summer months, named Monterey Bay after House, the oldest government building as is rain in the winter. Late fall offers the the Viceroy of New Spain in California and California’s first State greatest number of sunny days. and reclaimed Alta Historical Landmark. BRIEF HISTORY (Upper) California Image courtesy of the California Historical Society for Spain. Native People Spain finally began Inhabited by the Rumsien Indians for colonizing Alta California thousands of years, the Monterey Peninsula’s in 1769, 167 years after rich animal and plant life supplied all of Vizcaíno’s landing. On June their needs. The Rumsien people moved 3, 1770, Captain Gaspar de their villages seasonally throughout their Portolá, with Franciscan territory to fish, hunt and collect plants. Father Junípero Serra, Skilled artisans crafted finely woven baskets, arrived on the shores of often decorated with abalone pendants, Monterey Bay to establish quail plumes and woodpecker feathers. The the Presidio of Monterey arrival of Europeans in California drastically and Mission de San Carlos changed the native lifestyle. Traditional food Borromeo de Monterey, sources were depleted by livestock, and the the second of the Spanish two cultures clashed over native traditions missions in Alta California. and beliefs. Diseases to which the Rumsien The mission was moved one Inset: Father Junípero Serra. Bottom: Dedication of the second people had no resistance wiped out entire mission in Alta California at Monterey, by L. Trousset, 1870 Image courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley building material. The leading citizens to push for statehood. In Larkin House, home of 1849 a new state constitution was drafted at Thomas O. Larkin and his Colton Hall, and in 1850 California became family, combined Spanish the thirty-first state. San Jose was chosen as building methods with the first permanent seat of California state New England architectural government, ending Monterey’s years as features, creating a California’s capital. pattern for the popular As the center of commerce and “Monterey Colonial” style politics moved north to San Francisco of architecture. In and Sacramento during the gold rush, 1847 California’s Monterey became isolated socially First Brick House and economically. The Old Monterey was built by Whaling Company began shore Mission San Carlos Borromeo, by Edwin Deakin, ca. 1900 Gallant Duncan whaling operations in 1855, Dickenson, using the Old Whaling Station The opening of Monterey’s port quickly who produced his own kiln-fired as headquarters and whalers’ drew seafaring men, such as American sea bricks and introduced American residence. Made of whale captain John Rogers Cooper. He arrived brick-building techniques to vertebrae, the front walkway in California in 1823, built what is now the Monterey’s architectural mix. reminds visitors of this unique Cooper-Molera Adobe (a National Trust economic activity in California’s Historic Site), and became a merchant and a American Period history. In the early 1900s, Monterey prominent landowner. In 1832 he convinced On July 7, 1846, during the became the center of a thriving fishing his half-brother Thomas O. Larkin to join him Mexican-American War, U.S. naval Thomas O. Larkin and canning industry. in business. Larkin soon became the most forces, under Commodore influential American in Monterey, serving John Drake Sloat, landed Image courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley as the first and only United States consul in Monterey to take formal to Mexico in Monterey. Many foreigners, possession of Alta California drawn by trade, settled in California, married for the United States. The into leading local families, and worked American flag was soon flying closely with the upper class of native-born from the Custom House Californios — men like Mariano Vallejo, Juan flagpole, realizing the American Bautista Alvarado and José Castro. government’s goal of creating a Monterey soon expanded beyond the old nation that stretched “from sea Spanish presidio walls. Pristine, whitewashed to shining sea.” adobe buildings lined the streets and dotted News of the discovery of gold the hillsides. Many leading citizens erected on the western slopes of the substantial residences using sun-dried Sierra Nevada on January 24, adobe bricks, a traditional and abundant 1848, motivated California’s View of Monterey looking inland, by Bayard Taylor, ca. 1850 Monterey has continued Guided and self-guided PLEASE REMEMBER to appeal to those seeking tour material is available • Start your visit to Monterey State Historic a pastoral retreat. Over the on request. The self-guided Park at the Pacific House Museum to years, Monterey’s beautiful Path of History and the receive park information and view displays coastal setting has inspired first floors of its marked covering the changing periods of history artists and writers like buildings are accessible. in Monterey. Scottish writer Robert Louis Accessible restrooms are • Parking is available on the street and Stevenson. Staying in the behind the Pacific House in public and private parking lots. French Hotel, now known Museum in the Casa del Oro • The law prohibits removal of any natural, as the Stevenson House, he Garden and at the Cooper- cultural or historical object. • Except for service animals, dogs and other wrote articles for the local Molera Adobe. pets are not permitted in park buildings or Monterey newspaper that Accessibility is continually on park grounds. captured the essence of the improving in state parks. • The park provides tours of the historic “Old Pacific Capital.” For updates, visit houses and museums for a fee. Contact http://access.parks.ca.gov. the park office for more information on MONTEREY STATE The Pacific House’s available tours at (831) 649-7118. Check HISTORIC PARK TODAY Sensory and Memory Gardens NEARBY STATE PARKS Today the historic buildings • Monterey State Beach the current schedule of special events and programs at www.parks.ca.gov/mshp. of Monterey State Historic Park retain their Del Monte Ave. at Park Ave., Monterey • The park provides State Content rich heritage, preserving an often-forgotten 93940 (831) 649-2836 Standards-based programming for third part of Californian and American history. • Asilomar State Beach & Conference grade (Native American history) and fourth Explore the park’s interpretive center at Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove grade (Mexican California history) for a fee. the Pacific House Museum. Take a guided 93950 (831) 646-6440 • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Programs range from three to four hours. tour through sturdy adobe residences, such Shorter, walk-through tours for kindergarten as Casa Soberanes and the Cooper-Molera 3 miles south of Carmel on Hwy. 1 93923 (831) 624-4909 through