This two-story adobe has sheltered families, government officials, artists, writers and fishermen, beginning in the Mexican era. During its time as a rooming house, known as the French Hotel, a young writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, stayed a few months in the autumn of 1879. Poor, in frail health and unknown, Stevenson was cared for by friends while he courted his future wife, Fanny Osbourne. It was in Monterey that Stevenson penned the "Old Pacific Capital." Some say that his setting for the tale "Treasure Island" came from his walks along the Monterey Peninsula. Today, the Stevenson House has been restored with several rooms devoted to "Stevensonia."
Originally constructed in 1827, the Cooper-Molera Adobe is a National Trust Historic Site in Monterey's Old Town Historic District. It is also a National Historic Landmark. The site reflects the early years when Monterey was the political and commercial capital of Mexican Alta California. The Cooper-Molera Adobe is currently a museum site featuring changing exhibits in two adobe-style buildings with a historic landscape comprised of fruit trees, gardens, and barns. The historic complex includes a restaurant and cafe amongst the historic adobes, orchards, and gardens. Visitors to the site will also see the barns of Cooper-Molera, which have been restored and currently serve as a rental venue for events. The Cooper-Molera Adobe is within walking distance of the Monterey Farmer's Market, held on Tuesday nights on Alvarado Street. Admission to the Cooper Molera Adobe is offered free of charge to the public courtesy of the City of Monterey.
Colton Hall was originally a public school and government meeting place. It also hosted California's first constitutional convention in 1849. California's military governor called for a constitutional convention, to be held in Monterey's Colton Hall. On September 1, delegates from ten districts arrived in Monterey to debate and write California's state first constitution. The California Constitution was ratified on October 13, voted on in November that year and sent to Congress in January 1850. San Jose was chosen as the seat for the first Legislature. (Officially, a state capital is where the legislature sits; therefore Monterey never was the capital of the State of California).
This is the site of the raising of the American flag by US Naval Commodore, John D. Sloat on July 7, 1846, after the second time Monterey was captured. The first capture occurred when it was wrongly believed America and Mexico were at war in 1842. In embarrassment, the city was returned to Mexico. As soon as word reached that there was in fact war in 1846, the American navy quickly swooped in to recapture Monterey.
Between the years of 1776 and 1848 Monterey was both the Spanish and Mexican capital of California. During this period, Spain had managed to colonize the West Coast, and its empire stretched all the way to Alta (Northern) California. This mission provided settlers protection and was used as their the government headquarters. Some of the buildings located in the Monterey Old Town Historic District are some of the first public use buildings in the state of California.
The Presidio of Monterey is the only former Spanish presidio (fortified base) to remain an active site operated by the Department of Defense. Today, the Presidio of Monterey is home to one of the most prestigious language programs in the world. The historic military installation is also home to the Presidio of Monterey Museum. This small museum includes exhibits related to the military installation and was created by a partnership between the military and the city of Monterey.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walk through Monterey includes the site of California's first constitutional convention, several historic homes and adobes, a customs house and the Battle of Monterey, and the Old Town Historic District. The tour concludes with a walk along the beach and a stop at the Presidio Museum.
