Monterey history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Monterey is rooted in the deep past, when these lands were inhabited by the Ohlone tribe. The first European to set foot on the shores of the bay in 1602 was the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who named the place in honour of the Viceroy of New Spain, the Count of Monterey.

The official year of the city's foundation is considered to be 1770. It was then that an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolà and Father Junipero Serra established the Presidio (military fort) and the mission here. From that moment, Monterey began its journey as a crucial outpost of the Spanish Crown on the West Coast.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving city was driven by several strategic advantages:

• Political Status: For many years, from 1777 to 1846, Monterey served as the capital of Alta California (Upper California), first under the Spanish and then the Mexican flag. This made it the centre of the region's political and social life.
• Geography and Port: The convenient and deep harbour provided safe anchorage for ships, turning the city into the only official port of entry for all taxable goods in California at that time.
• Trade: The city became a key hub in the international trade of hides and tallow, attracting merchants from Boston, South America, and Asia.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

As the capital, Monterey became the place where many of California's cultural and civic institutions originated. The state's first public school, library, and theatre were opened here, and the first newspaper, The Californian, was printed. The city's architecture still bears traces of that era: adobe buildings with tiled roofs and spacious courtyards form the unique historical appearance of the old centre.

The economy of the early period was built on cattle ranching and maritime trade, but by the mid-19th century, a new vector of development began to form — whaling, which later gave way to the famous sardine canning industry, immortalised in the novels of John Steinbeck.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1602: Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino lands in the bay and names these lands in honour of the Count of Monterey, Viceroy of New Spain.
• 1770: Gaspar de Portolà and Father Junipero Serra found the Presidio and the Mission San Carlos Borromeo, officially establishing the city.
• 1775: Monterey is proclaimed the capital of California, remaining the political centre of the region under Spanish and Mexican rule for decades.
• 1818: Argentine corsair Hippolyte Bouchard captures the city, holds it for several days, and burns down most of the buildings.
• 1846: Commodore John Drake Sloat raises the American flag over the Custom House, declaring California a US territory.
• 1849: The Constitutional Convention gathers in Colton Hall, where the first constitution of the State of California is signed.

Industrial Era and Modernity

• Early 1900s: A boom in the fishing industry begins, turning Monterey into the "Sardine Capital of the World".
• 1945: John Steinbeck's famous novel "Cannery Row" is published, immortalising the lives of workers and the atmosphere of the city's industrial district.
• Mid-1950s: Due to overfishing, the sardine population vanishes, leading to factory closures and an economic crisis.
• 1958: The first Monterey Jazz Festival takes place, launching a tradition of hosting world-class musical events.
• 1967: The historic Monterey Pop Festival is held, becoming one of the symbols of the hippie era and the "Summer of Love".
• 1984: The Monterey Bay Aquarium opens on the site of a former cannery, becoming a symbol of the city's revival as a tourism hub.
• 1992: The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is established, placing the unique ecosystem of the coastal waters under protection.

Key Stages of City Development

The evolution of Monterey is a story of constant reinvention: from a colonial capital and industrial giant to a global centre for eco-tourism. The major transformations that shaped the modern look of the city can be divided into several key stages:

• Capital of Spanish and Mexican California
  During this period, the historic layout of the centre was established, and a unique architectural ensemble of adobe buildings was created. The status of an administrative centre formed a rich heritage, which today forms the basis of the Monterey State Historic Park.
• Birth of the State (1849)
  Holding the Constitutional Convention in Colton Hall secured the city's role as the "Cradle of California". This event ensured Monterey's enduring political and symbolic significance, even after the capital was moved to other cities.
• Era of Elite Tourism and Hotel Del Monte (1880)
  The opening of a luxury resort complex and the development of railway connections attracted the American aristocracy to the coast. This was the first step towards transforming the city into a prestigious tourist destination and stimulated the development of urban infrastructure.
• Industrialisation and "Cannery Row" (Early 20th Century)
  The rapid growth of fishing and the construction of canneries radically changed the economy and urban landscape of the coast. An influx of immigrants from Japan, China, and Italy created a multicultural environment, and the industrial development later became the base for the famous tourist district.
• Cultural Reorientation (1950–1960s)
  After the economic collapse of the fishing industry, the city found a new identity in art and music. The establishment of the jazz festival and the hosting of the legendary rock festival of 1967 repositioned Monterey as a world-class creative hub.
• Urban Revitalisation (1984)
  The opening of the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the site of the former Hovden Cannery became a benchmark example of adaptive reuse of industrial sites. This decision turned a depressed industrial zone into a main tourism artery and shifted the city's focus to science and ecology.
• Creation of the Marine Sanctuary (1992)
  The introduction of federal protection for coastal waters definitively determined the modern vector of the city's development — sustainable eco-tourism. Monterey's economy shifted from exploiting marine resources to studying and protecting them.

Architectural Mosaic: From Clay to Modernism

The urban development of Monterey is unique in that a rare ensemble of early Californian architecture has been preserved here. Unlike many American cities where old buildings were demolished for skyscrapers, the centre of Monterey has retained the spirit of a provincial capital. The city's appearance was shaped by the influence of three cultures: Spanish, Mexican, and American, creating a unique architectural fusion.

The Adobe Era and the Birth of the "Monterey" Style (1770–1840s)

The most recognisable layer of the city's history is the buildings made of adobe (mud brick). Initially, the architecture was purely utilitarian and followed Spanish colonial traditions: thick clay walls, small windows, and single-storey structures. However, with the arrival of American merchants in the 1830s, a unique hybrid style was born — Monterey Colonial.

Characteristic features of the style:

• A combination of Spanish materials (adobe, tile) with New England construction methods.
• The appearance of a second floor (which was rare for Spanish buildings).
• Long wooden verandas and balconies encircling the building.
• Gabled roofs with shingles instead of flat roofs.

Iconic Buildings: Larkin House — the epitome of the style, built by Thomas Larkin, and the Custom House — the oldest government building in California.

Classicism and East Coast Influence (Mid-19th Century)

After California came under US control, buildings symbolising new power and order began to appear in the city. Clay was replaced by stone and wood, and architectural forms became stricter and more monumental, referencing ancient ideals of democracy.

The brightest example of Neoclassicism (Greek Revival) is Colton Hall. Built of white sandstone, this building with a portico and columns contrasted sharply with the surrounding squat adobes, emphasising the importance of the political events taking place there.

Industrial Architecture and Vernacular Style (Early 20th Century)

The development of fishing radically changed the coastline. A strictly functional, industrial landscape formed here, which later became iconic through literature.

• Cannery Row: This is an example of industrial vernacular architecture. Huge workshops made of corrugated metal, long conveyor belts extending into the ocean, and wooden trestles created a dense, chaotic development along the shoreline.
• Workers' Quarters: Simple wooden cottages for workers grew around the factories, many of which have been preserved in the New Monterey district.

Postmodernism and Adaptive Reuse (Late 20th Century – Present)

Modern Monterey demonstrates mastery in preserving historical heritage through its reinterpretation. Instead of demolishing old industrial sites, architects chose the path of adaptive reuse.

The prime example is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Architects preserved the structure of the old Hovden Cannery, keeping industrial elements, high ceilings, and even parts of the steam boilers, integrating them into a modern high-tech space. This direction, combining respect for history with modern functionalism, defines the city's current urban planning vector.

Founders and Political Figures

• Junipero Serra (1713–1784)
  Missionary, City Founder
  A Franciscan friar who played a key role in the colonisation of California. It was he who, in 1770, conducted the first mass under an oak tree by Monterey Bay, officially founding the Mission San Carlos Borromeo and laying the spiritual foundation of the future city.
• Thomas Oliver Larkin (1802–1858)
  Merchant, Diplomat, Architect
  The only US Consul in Mexican Alta California. Larkin was a key figure in the peaceful transition of California to US control. He also created the unique "Monterey Colonial" architectural style by building the famous Larkin House, which became a model for others.
• Walter Colton (1797–1851)
  First American Alcalde (Mayor)
  A US Navy chaplain who became the head of Monterey's civil administration. He initiated the construction of Colton Hall — the building where the first Constitution of the State of California was later written and signed. He also published the first Californian newspaper, The Californian.

Writers and Scientists

• Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)
  Writer, Poet
  The author of "Treasure Island" lived in Monterey in the autumn of 1879. Here he wrote the essay "The Old Pacific Capital", in which he vividly documented the atmosphere of the city at that time. It is believed that the landscapes of the Monterey Peninsula inspired his description of the island in his most famous novel.
• John Steinbeck (1902–1968)
  Writer, Nobel Laureate
  Although Steinbeck was born in neighbouring Salinas, his work is inextricably linked with Monterey. His novels "Cannery Row" and "Sweet Thursday" immortalised the lives of the workers, drifters, and shopkeepers of the fishing district, turning the city into a literary legend.
• Edward "Doc" Ricketts (1897–1948)
  Marine Biologist, Ecologist, Philosopher
  Founder of the Pacific Biological Laboratories on Cannery Row. Ricketts was a pioneer in studying the ecology of intertidal zones and a close friend of John Steinbeck, becoming the prototype for the character "Doc" in several of the writer's novels. His scientific works laid the foundation for the modern understanding of the bay's ecosystem.

Cultural and Artistic Figures

• Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)
  Surrealist Artist
  In the 1940s, Dalí lived at the Hotel Del Monte (now part of the Naval Postgraduate School). His stay was remembered for extravagant social gatherings, including the famous "Surrealist Ball", which influenced the artistic life of the region.
• Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)
  Rock Musician, Guitarist
  His performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 became one of the most iconic moments in the history of rock music. His final gesture — burning his guitar on stage — forever inscribed Monterey into world music history as the place where the "era of love" and psychedelic rock began.