How old is monterey ca

Under the same oak tree where Viscaino's crew members had prayed, Father Serra said mass for his brave group. A year later, in , Father Serra moved the mission to nearby Carmel, which offered a better agricultural and political environment; the Presidio Church in Monterey, however, continued in use. For decades, Monterey's soldiers and their wives lived at the Presidio. In , Argentinean revolutionary Hippolyte Bouchard sacked the town in an effort to destroy Spain's presence in California.

Soon the residents began to expand outside the Presidio, creating homesteads throughout Monterey. California soon pledged its loyalty to the Mexican government. Spain had not allowed foreigners to trade with California, but Mexico opened up the area to international trade, and Monterey was made California's sole port of entry. Traffic with English and American vessels for the hide and tallow trade became an important part of the economy.

A dried steer hide valued at about a dollar was termed a "California bank note. Tallow was melted down in large rendering pots and poured into bags of hides or bladders to be delivered to the trading ships; in the end, most of the tallow was made into candles. By , foreign trade had become very important and a custom house was built in Monterey.

The booming trade, especially with New England, attracted a number of Americans—called "Yanquis"—to Monterey. Many of them married into Mexican families and became Mexican citizens. In the mids, Mexican rulers redistributed much of the local land formerly run by the Catholic Church and huge cattle ranches were formed.

An elite class of landed "Californios" grew up in the area. In , the U. In July Commodore John Drake Sloat's flagship arrived in Monterey Bay and his troops raised the American flag, claiming the region for the United States, and gaining the territory without a fight from the Mexicans. American occupation continued until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in , making all of Alta California part of the United States.

Monterey served as California's first capital and hosted California's first Constitutional Convention in historic Colton Hall, where on October 13, , our original state constitution was signed. In the 's and 40's, Monterey became the center of a thriving fishing industry and the sardine capital of the world.

Today, a smaller commercial fishing fleet continues to operate from the City's harbor marina at Wharf 2. Military Presence Due to its strategic location, Monterey has historically been a key military outpost. While military needs have changed since the Presidio of Monterey was first established, the presence of the Defense Language Institute, the Naval Postgraduate School and Fleet Numerical continues Monterey's legacy of military tradition. Size Monterey covers 8. You can explore the history of Monterey County through guided or self-guided tours.

Swing by Point Pinos Lighthouse to visit the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, or travel south on Highway 1 to visit its neighbor the Point Sur Lightstation.

Or use the search below and discover where California's Constitution was developed and signed in among other interesting historic events!

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